Founded in 1868 the Hare and Hounds pub in East Sheen boasts a rich history. It’s more than just a place for a pint. It’s a living link to the origins of a unique sport. The pub’s name itself whispers tales of a Victorian pastime. Hare and hounds or paper chase involved runners following a trail of paper. This game was hugely popular in 19th-century England. Many modern athletics clubs actually evolved from these hare and hounds clubs.
Thames Hare and Hounds a famous cross-country running club is directly connected to this pub’s story. The club’s founders members of the Thames Rowing Club sought winter exercise. Their first organized event was a steeplechase from the Red Lion pub in Putney. Imagine those early runners the thrill of the chase. Their rules emphasized amateurism and gentlemen’s sportsmanship. They even excluded anyone who wasn’t a gentleman by position and education.
Thames Hare and Hounds played a pivotal role in the National Cross Country Championships. They dominated the early years. Percy Stenning a member of Thames Hare and Hounds won the first official championship in 1877. The club’s involvement gradually decreased though. Their founder Walter Rye disliked the growing commercialization of the sport. He criticized the emphasis on gate money and betting.
The Hare and Hounds pub stands as a testament to this fascinating history. It’s a place where the spirit of friendly competition and the charm of a bygone era blend together. Picture the club members relaxing here after a challenging run. Raise a glass to the legacy of Thames Hare and Hounds and the enduring spirit of the Hare and Hounds. Their story is not only about running. It’s a story of tradition sportsmanship and the evolution of athletics in England. Today the Hare and Hounds stands proudly as a symbol of this legacy. It reminds us of the past while welcoming the present.