Centenary Celebrations

Thanks to the destruction/dispersal of early records – due to Zeppelin attack on the clubhouse and the passage of time, the club had long marked 1889 as the date when Hull Harriers were formed. That was the year when the club had played an important part in the formation of the Hull and District Cross-Country Association. Celebration dinners were held in 1939 and 1959 to mark what were believed to be the fiftieth and seventieth anniversaries respectively and at the 1939 dinner the club had been presented with its fine Jubilee Trophy by Grimsby Harriers in recognition of its role in local harrier circles. When 1989 – and the centenary – approached, Robb Robinson was asked to research into the origins of the club for the celebrations. A survey of old newspapers and various other records that were unearthed showed that the club’s origins could actually be traced back to 1882.

Despite this disconcerting discovery the club decided to go ahead and celebrate its "centenary" in 1989. A range of different events were organized and held. These included a re-enactment of the original paper chase along the route of the first run in November 1882, the hares on this occasion being Gordon Jibson and Robb Robinson. A Wolds Way Relay Race was held and the club broke its own record for the event and a 100 x 1 mile relay was held at Costello with members past and present between the ages of ten and eighty-four taking part. The club also organised and hosted the Yorkshire Cross-Country Championships on Beverley Westwood and finished as creditable third team in the Senior Championship event. The final event was a club dinner attended by more than 100 people at the Duke of Cumberland in Ferriby and David Bedford was the guest speaker. The event did a great deal for the club spirit but the earnest hope is that the bi-centenary can be celebrated on the proper anniversary.