Much of the information here is also contained in the other pages of the website but what follows should serve as a concise summary of many aspects of CUH&H.
Why is it called the ‘Hare and Hounds’? #
The name dates back to the 19th century and the early days of organised cross-country running in the UK. Races would be run in the following way: one person, the ‘hare’, would run ahead and leave an indistinct trail of marks for all the other runners, the ‘hounds’, to follow.
Of course, the vast majority of our races now conform to the more conventional set courses, but some clubs still run events in the old style. The Cheshire Tally Ho, for example, are doing a great job of keeping the tradition alive and each year we try to join them for a genuine hare and hound run.
For more details on the history of CUH&H, click here.
Is CUH&H exclusively a cross-country running club? #
No. While cross-country is the main focus of the club, especially during the winter (Michaelmas and Lent terms), we take a keen interest in, and cater for, all aspects of running.
Members of the club will compete in all manner of other events during the year, from fell running and crazy mountain races to indoor athletics meets. All can be publicised, reported on, and discussed via the mailing list and social media.
Road races also feature strongly in the calendar. The freshers’ 5K at the beginning of Michaelmas is on road and many of our athletes also compete in the Cambridge Half which is usually in early March. We also have guaranteed places in the London Marathon, and a Marathon Squad is formed to train specifically for it.
In the spring and summer, many of our athletes focus on the track, and there is a strong collaboration with CUAC, particularly in the run-up to the athletics varsity match. Indeed, the vast majority of the middle and long-distance events at this meet will be filled by CUH&H members who are also members of CUAC.
Of course, if competitive running is not your cup of tea, the club also caters for those who just want to run for general health and fitness. There are several easy runs put on during the week specifically for this purpose – check out the beginners’ page for more details. And don’t worry if you like running but not through mud. Just because the main races are cross-country, we still train on all the surfaces available in Cambridge: grass, gravel paths, road, and track. There is something for everyone.
What’s the deal with CUH&H and CUAC? #
CUAC is the Cambridge University Athletics Club. For historical reasons, this is a separate club to CUH&H. However, links between the clubs are very strong, and many are members of both. A typical aim for such athletes is to compete well at cross-country for CUH&H in the Michaelmas and Lent terms, and then in middle/long-distance events on the track for CUAC in Easter term. Indeed, this conforms to the standard approach to training for distance events used by athletes across the world: concentrate on endurance and strength over the winter and speed-endurance in the spring and summer.
The training groups remain roughly the same in Easter term, you are simply running for a different club on the track (though still for Cambridge, which is the important thing!).
Can I just come along or do I have to join? #
Feel free to come and give it a bash. There will always be a friendly face to welcome you, whether you are a member or not. If you want a taste of the full benefits of joining, just browse the rest of this site. It speaks for itself. You will need to join in order to compete for us though.
How can I join? #
See details on membership here.
Do I have to be a student to join? #
No. Membership is open to everyone affiliated to the University of Cambridge: post-docs, lecturers, fellows and so on are all eligible. However, if you are not a student, there will be restrictions on which races you can compete in. For example, you must be a student to compete in the Varsity Match and BUCS. Exceptionally, membership may be extended to people from outside the university, but this is at the discretion of the Club Captain.
What do I get for my membership? #
You get to be part of what is a very special club full of history and atmosphere. Just browse this website to be convinced. On a practical level, as well as having access to coaching and subsidised physiotherapy, the club will pay your entry fees to all the races (provided you run) and subsidise travel expenses and accommodation.
Do you have to be a hard-core runner to join CUH&H? #
Absolutely not. Everyone in the University is welcome. There are runs and sessions to cater for all levels: see the section on training for details of what is available. In particular, there are several easy runs put on during the week specifically for beginners and those who just like to run for fitness and relaxation. The route and pace on these runs is such that absolutely no one is dropped. In fact, please do not be put off by any of the sessions. Even in the interval sessions, we regroup regularly, and bigger groups make for a more enjoyable workout.
There are many stories of people taking up running for the first time, with CUH&H, only to find they really love it. Even the most competitive athletes love to run just because it feels good. So, even if you’re not yet a member, come along and give it a try. You will always be welcome.
I am a total beginner, where do I start? #
The best place to get started is to go to one of the social runs. They are specifically for you. Just turn up and get involved. For further details, check out the beginners’ page.
Should I wait until I’m fitter? #
No. You will not struggle on one of the beginners’ runs. That’s what they’re there for. Attending an organised run, setting off at a particular time, is the best way to stop procrastinating. There will be many others there in the same boat. Besides, running is the way to get fitter. Visit the beginners’ page for more.
Do I have to come to all the sessions? #
No. Come to as many as you want. Check out the training schedule to see what we offer. If you are keen on racing, you are strongly recommended to attend as many of the runs and sessions as possible. The interval sessions are particularly important.
Is there a club mailing list? #
Yes, there is. For more details, click here.
How do I find out about the arrangements for training/races? #
Training times and venues are announced every Sunday evening via the training mailing list. However, more detailed information about particular sessions, and any last-minute changes, are communicated directly by the club captain.
Similarly, the weekly email also contains information about upcoming races. General information about the various races we compete in can be found in the competition section of the website.
Key Cross-Country Races #
In Michaelmas term, the cross-country Varsity Matches are the key events. There are other important races for CUH&H in the lead-up to Varsity such as Cuppers, which is the selection race for Varsity.
In Lent term, the most important race is the BUCS Cross-Country Championship.
What is a Varsity Match? #
A Varsity Match is an annual sporting event between Cambridge University and Oxford University. Each sport has one, with the annual Boat Race on the Thames being the most famous example. Cross-country is no exception.
When and where do the cross-country Varsity Matches take place? #
For detailed information on Varsity, click here.
Who selects the teams for the Varsity Match? #
The men’s and ladies’ first teams (or Blues) are selected by the men’s and ladies’ captains, respectively. The remaining teams are selected by the captains in consultation with the rest of the CUH&H committee.
What is Varsity Match team selection based on? #
The key selection race is the inter-collegiate cross-country championship race (Cuppers), which usually takes place two weeks before the 2nds – 4ths Varsity Match. Most captains will also take into account performances in other races during Michaelmas term.
Will I be too slow to run in a Varsity Match? #
No. Everyone will get a race in a Varsity Match team. While there are eight members in the men’s 1st – 3rd teams and the women’s 1st and 2nd teams, there are unlimited numbers allowed in the ‘mob’ matches. Runners of all standards are therefore encouraged to take part. Of course, the more effort you put into your training, the greater your chances of being selected for the higher teams.
What is a ‘Full-Blue’ and a ‘Half-Blue’? #
A ‘Full-Blue’ (or just ‘Blue’) is an award for sporting excellence given at both Cambridge and Oxford.
A Full-Blue sport is one in which full-Blues can be awarded. At present, there are only around 12 such sports. These fluctuate from year to year: some sports maintain their full-Blue status, while others are reviewed periodically by the Blues Committee. Additionally, within the full-Blue category, there may be restrictions on the number of Blues a sport can award.
Other sports can award Half-Blues. Outstanding performances in any sport can be considered for a discretionary Blue by the Blues Committee. You may also receive a Half-Blue in a Full-Blue sport if your performance is strong but not quite at the level of a Full-Blue. Some sports have fixed rules about how Blues are awarded, while others are more discretionary. In general, competing well for the first team in the Varsity Match is a necessary condition for a Full-Blue.
There is no physical award for achieving a Blue (although the ladies sometimes get certificates), as it’s about the honour. However, you earn the right to wear various items of Blues clothing, like the scarf, tie, and rather distinctive blazer. Half-Blues get to wear a slightly different tie and blazer.
Is cross-country a Full-Blue sport? How do I achieve a Blue? #
Yes, cross-country is a Full-Blue sport. Men’s athletics and cross-country have always had Full-Blue status, and thanks to impressive results in recent years, women’s cross-country now enjoys this status as well.
To be awarded a Blue, you must run in the Blues Varsity Match (i.e., the first-team race). The actual award, however, remains at the captain’s discretion: you must perform well enough for the captain to feel you deserve a Blue. In some years, the entire Blues team will be awarded Full-Blues, while in others, some runners may be awarded Full-Blues and others Half-Blues.
It used to be the case that Blues were awarded solely based on performances in the Varsity Match, but in recent times, runners who achieve a Half-Blue in the Varsity Match may have it upgraded to a Full-Blue after a strong performance in the BUCS Cross-Country Championships. This recognises both the importance of the BUCS race and the fact that other universities outside Oxford and Cambridge also compete to be the best at cross-country. Again, this BUCS-upgrade policy is at the captain’s discretion and may vary from year to year.
What is BUCS? #
BUCS stands for British Universities and Colleges Sport. It is the governing body that organises the British university championships for almost every sport. The BUCS Cross-Country Championships usually take place in early February, with different universities hosting the event each year.
Am I good enough to run in the BUCS Cross-Country Championships? #
Yes! There is an A-race and B-race for both genders. While teams are selected for the A-races, there are unlimited entries in the B-races. So, everyone who wants to run can do so. It’s a fantastic event, so don’t miss out!
What is the Chris Brasher College League? #
The Chris Brasher College League is a series of races over various courses in Cambridge. It is both fun and competitive.
The league is named after Chris Brasher, one of the greatest athletes ever to run for Cambridge, who sadly passed away on February 28th, 2003. Runners of all standards are welcome.
What is there besides the running? #
Plenty. There are many social events arranged throughout the year. Each term, there will be several formal hall dinners, curry nights and pub trips.
There are also post-race celebrations after the bigger races like Varsity and BUCS. Other highlights include the pre-Varsity Match team bonding sessions, the Hare & Hounds BBQ and the unmissable Annual Dinner.
At all events, there is very much an atmosphere in which everyone is welcome. No one is expected to conform to any stereotypes. Beer-guzzlers and T-totalers exist in complete harmony! There is no pressure either way. Just come along and you’ll see what I mean.
What does AOTW stand for? #
‘Animal of the Week’: an honour awarded each week for the person who puts on the most animalistic display of running and possibly other activities. There is also the Animal of the Year (AOTY), awarded at the Annual Dinner at the end of Lent Term.
What is a ‘Harey’? #
A ‘Harey’ (pl: ‘Hareys’) is a slang term for any member of CUH&H.
What are the training camps like? #
Despite the ominous sounding name, the CUH&H training camps are just awesome and everyone should experience at least one. They are festivals of running, food and laughter but, frankly, no short answer can do them justice so check out the full description here.
What goes on outside term time? #
While most undergrads disperse outside full term, a large postgrad community remains. For anyone around in Cambridge during the ’long vac’, runs and sessions continue as do pub trips.
For everyone else, the main email lists still operate. Weekly schedules are still sent out for anyone without a coach or training group back home. Everyone is encouraged to keep running over the long breaks, especially over the summer to be fit for the start of Michaelmas term.
The training camps also take place outside term and are simply not to be missed.
What kit do I need and how can I get hold of it? #
Kit falls into two categories: competition kit (vest and shorts) and non-competition kit (aka ‘stash’).
Competition kit:
The Varsity 1st – 2nd teams have their own white vests (to be worn with white shorts for the Blues teams). For all other races, the standard CUH&H vest and shorts are worn. The CUH&H vest is available year-round and can be purchesed from the kit sec.
The Varsity Match kit is available to buy in the week leading up to the Varsity Matches when team selections have been made. Details are sent out nearer the time.
The kit secretary will bring kit along to each race and you will be able to purchase it from them. If there is a particular item you want, please email them in advance to make sure they bring it. You can also contact them to arrange an alternative time such as at a training session or social. Of course, no one will force you to buy any kit, but borrowing is usually more hassle than it’s worth.
Obviously, you will also need trainers and most cross-country races are best run in spikes.
Non-competition kit:
The non-competition kit available varies from year to year but usually consists of some kind of training top at the very least. It can be obtained by requesting it from the kit sec, in the big Michaelmas stash order, and is distributed sometime in Lent term.
In addition, commemorative T-shirts are produced for BUCS, with an appropriately witty slogan. Other CUH&H items (such as ties etc.) can be requested in the stash order.
What is a Boat Race? #
This is a hotly contested drinking race. There is one at the party after both the 2nds-4ths and the Blues Varsity Matches. 8 boys/girls from Cambridge line up against 8 from the Dark Side, each with a pint of beer on the table in front of them. On the word “go”, the first in the team downs their pint and places the glass on their head, at which point the second in the team does the same. This continues down the line of 8 and the first team to complete all 8 is the winner.
Oh yeah, and it’s also a race involving big blokes in a boat that takes place each year on the Thames.
How do I get involved in the committee? #
The annual general meeting (AGM) takes place each year towards the end of Lent term, usually 1 week before Annual Dinner. This is when the committee for the next year is voted in. Details of all the positions available and the voting procedure are published a few weeks in advance of the AGM. The actual handover event is the Annual Dinner on the Saturday at the end of Lent term. Do get involved: anyone who has will tell you, it is well worth it.
How does the whole Club, Men’s and Ladies Captaincy thing work? #
There is one Club Captain who is the figurehead and leader of CUH&H. He/she has many responsibilities including setting schedules, making speeches etc. He/she is also the captain of the team of his/her sex. There is then a captain of the opposite sex to the Club Captain. (Thus if the Club Captain is a man, he is also the men’s captain and then there is a ladies’ captain).
Who’s better, Oxford or Cambridge? #
Cambridge.
Are we awesome? #
Yes.
Should I believe the hype? #
Yes.