Q
& A: Hares, Hounds, and Harriers
The Independent
(London)
February 28, 1993, Sunday
Sports, page 24
Q:
Why
do most athletics clubs have the word
“Harriers” in their name (apart from a lack
of imagination)?
A:
When
athletics emerged in the 1860s and 1870s, paper
chasing became the most popular event after its
introduction on Wimbledon Common in 1868 by Thames
Hare and Hounds. In a paper chase, two
“hares” lay a trail of paper over the
country, and the pack of “hounds” try to
catch up with them. Although this sport soon
developed into cross country as we know it today, the
earliest such clubs called themselves “Hare and
Hounds” or “Harriers”, and still do.
The Badminton
Library volume on athletics (published 1887, revised
November 1898) says: “A club devoted to
athletics alone had, until paper-chasing came into
vogue, little social attraction, as compared with
other clubs. The popularity of paper-chasing during
the last few years has caused a large number of clubs
to spring up throughout the country, which exist to
promote paper chasing and cross country racing during
the winter, although they hold athletic meetings
during the summer season... It is worth mentioning
that quite a fourth part of the clubs affiliated to
the AAA are Harriers or Hare and Hounds clubs. But if
the paper-chasing clubs are put out of the question,
it may almost be said that there are no clubs in the
true sense of the word which exist purely and solely
for the cultivation of running, jumping, and throwing
of weights, with the exception of those which are
fortunate in possessing running grounds with a cinder
track of their own” - Michael Allen, London SW19
(Ex-Hon Secretary Thames Hare and Hounds).