About
The University Cross Country Race was first raced by teams from Oxford and Cambridge University in 1880 over a course starting and finishing at the Royal Oak, Oxford. It is now the second oldest inter-club cross country competition in the world, only behind The National.
Since 1896 the match has been hosted on neutral territory by Thames Hare & Hounds, the oldest cross country club in the world. The Wimbledon Common course offers an unrivalled experience for the student athletes who take part.
A rivalry that spans nearly 150 years, those amateur student athletes who are lucky enough to be selected for the team follow in the footsteps of greats such as Sir Roger Bannister and Sir Christopher Chataway.
The University Cross Country Races are a unique eight-a-side, six-to-score format. Run over 7½ miles (men)/4 miles (women), the courses including the iconic water splash as well as the hilly 'Butts' a mile from the finish.
Held in London, the match is well attended by spectators who add to the special atmosphere, chasing the runners round the course.
Historical Results
Race Report
A race report from last year's University Cross Country Races can be found here:
The University Cross Country Races 2026
135th Gentlemen's Race & 50th Ladies' Race
Saturday, 5 December 2026
Thames Hare and Hounds' Headquarters, Memorial Playing Fields, Wimbledon Common, SW15 3PQ
Order of Events
1:00 p.m. 34th Old Blues' Race (4 miles) (Mob Match)
2:00 p.m. 50th Ladies' Race (4 miles) (Eight-a-side, six-to-score)
2:45 p.m. 135th Gentlemen's Race (7½ miles) (Eight-a-side, six-to-score)
Map of the courses. Ladies' and Old Blues' course is: Start - A - B - C - D - E - J - K - L - Finish. Gentlemen's course is: Start - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - D - E - J - K - L - Finish.
a. The Races shall consist of the Gentlemen's Blues Race & Ladies' Blues Race.
b. The Races shall be held on the 1st Saturday of December.
c. The Gentlemen's Blues Race shall be eight-a-side, six-to-score.
d. The Ladies' Blues Race shall be eight-a-side, six-to-score.
e. For all Races, in the case of a tie, the team whose last scoring member finishes nearest 1st place will be declared the winner.
f. Should the final scorers finish in a dead heat, the Match will be declared a draw.
g. The Gentlemen's Blues Race shall be run over a course of approximately 7.5 miles.
h. The Ladies' Blues Race shall be run over a course of approximately 4 miles.