FFH1: International Cross Country Championships 1924
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Time to read 2 min
On the first Friday of every month, I take a look back at an interesting moment or event from the sport's history, just because I find it interesting and hopefully someone else will too.
This one was first published on Facebook on 1 November 2024 but the First Friday History will find a longer term home on the website.
The Glasgow Herald had a good sports section and included a report from the event, which is reproduced below.
In 1924, the International Cross Country Championships were held on 22 March in Northumberland. Back then, the "World" consisted of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and Belgium, but mostly just good old England. I love the elegance of writing from that period, "England on Saturday won the big international contest... in a remarkable manner" and it's a shame that's been lost in the last 100 years.
It's interesting to cross-reference to the same year's National XC result (2 weeks earlier) which was also won by Joe Cotterell (pictured), ahead of Harper and Webster. England scored a perfect 21 for their team of six, which is every team manager's dream. Back in 1924, Birchfield Harriers were the dominant team in the country, providing three members of the England team at the ICC and although the Stags enjoy success on the track today, their last National XC team win came in 1987.
"England on Saturday won the big international contest at Gosforth Park, Northumberland, in a remarkable manner. Corporal Cotterell (Royal Corps of Signallers) secured first place for himself and his country, and he was immediately followed by his fellow countrymen – Harper (Hallamshire H.), Webster (Birchfield H.), Blewitt (Birchfield H, the ex-national champion), Williams (Hallamshire H.), with Stanton (Birchfield H.) sixth.
"The victory of England is a record, for it has never been approached, the nearest result equalling that of 1907, when England won at Glasgow, on which occasion their team points were 35, made up of first, second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh men home.
"The distance on Saturday was ten miles, and in view of the striking nature of the result it is interesting to note that the course was divided up as follows: – Race course, 8870 yards; stables, 3300 yards; ploughed land, 3280 yards; grass fields, 1680 yards and farm road, 470 yards.
"Entering the straight for the road home, J.J. Ryan Tipperary (A.C.) was closely followed by Harper and Cotterell, and as the [unreadable] Harper took the lead, closely followed by Cotterell. The pair ran shoulder to shoulder until fifty yards from home, when Cotterell broke away with a burst of speed and eventually won by fully ten yards in 55 min. 35 2-5sec. Immediately following them were Harper, Webster, Blewitt, Williams and Stanton, and then came the first French representative.
"The team placings and the total of the respective teams was:- England 21, France 47, Scotland 80, Wales 133, Ireland 149, Belgium 181 points.
"The order of the first team was:- Corporal Cottrell (1), E. Harper (2), J. E. Webster (3), C.E. Blewitt (4), J. Williams (5), and H. Stanton (6).
Match result:
England - 21 points
France - 80 points
Scotland - 133 points
Wales - 163 points
Ireland - 180 points
Belgium - 181 points"