Saturday 6th December will witness an important milestone in the history of the Oxford-Cambridge Cross-Country Races with a celebration of the 50th ann
iversary of women’s cross-country at the universities.
Following the steady rise in the numbers of female students at both universities in the post-war period, both clubs opened to women members in the early 1970s and on 15th November 1975, Oxford’s women took part in their first official race, a contest against Birmingham University at Shotover. Two weeks later, the very first race against Cambridge was staged at the same venue alongside the men’s races for the second, third, fourth and fifth teams. Oxford won comfortably by 7 points to 14 in a three-to-score contest with Cathy Meunier (St. Hugh’s) taking the individual honours.
The following year, the race moved to a much firmer footing as it was elevated to official status and run alongside the men’s Blues race hosted by Thames Hare and Hounds on Wimbledon Common in London. Oxford again were victorious, filling the first six places to win with a perfect score of 10 points to Cambridge’s 34. Lynne Wightman (Lady Margaret Hall) had the honour of winning that first official race.
In the intervening 50 years, the race has flourished. It continues to be run alongside the men’s contest at the south-west London venue and over 300 runners from Oxford and Cambridge have represented their respective universities. For some, it has been their own personal Everest and for others a stepping stone to greater achievements. Included in this illustrious list are Olympians Stephanie Cook, Mara Yamauchi, Sian Brice, Emma Pooley, Julia Bleadsale, Claire Hallissey and Louise Shanahan.
With the development of the race, the two clubs have strengthened considerably since the 1970s and have gone onto achieve wider recognition to the extent that, between them, they have secured four victories in the British Universities’ cross-country championships, in 1988, 1989 and 2000 by Oxford and 2025 by Cambridge.
Taking account of the 1975 race, Oxford lead the series by 29 wins to 20. The 2025 edition will take place at 3.00 p.m., starting and finishing at Thames Hare and Hounds’ headquarters at Roehampton Vale. The event will be preceded by the 32nd Old Blues’ Race (12.30 p.m.) and 134th men’s race (2.00 p.m.). Full race details can be found here.
All former members of the Oxford and Cambridge clubs are welcome to compete in the Old Blues’ Race, which will be held over women’s 4-mile course. Entries can be made here. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY.
Further details on the history of the race can be found here.