Queen's Park Harriers are a track and cross country running club based in Willesden Green[1] in London, United Kingdom with a current focus on long distance running competitions.
Having been founded in 1887[2] the club has been in continual existence for over 100 years.
The club are one of 9 London clubs that compete in the annual Summer League, an event that takes place across several London parks over the course of the summer months[3] as well as several cross country championships in North London and Middlesex.
The roots of Queen's Park Harriers can be traced back to a group of students from St. Judes Institute, Queen's Park who formed a sports club including both athletics and football in 1884. In 1886, the sports club merged with Christchurch Rangers to form Queens Park Rangers F.C., and in the following year "Queen's Park Harriers" was formed from those original members who wished to focus on athletics.[4]
Founded in 1887, the Queen's Park Harriers commenced its activities from the St Jude's Institute, Queens Park. The club is the result of a division of the members of the Institute, one half forming themselves into the Harriers, whilst the remainder formed a football section which has since evolved into the now famous Queen's Park Rangers F.C.[2]
The club run in red and white horizontally stripped vests, known as "The Danebury Hoops", named after the racing colours of jockey and horse trainer Tom Cannon Sr.[5][6]
In 1889, the club amalgamated with another local athletics club, West London Harriers,[7] before merging with North London Harriers in 1897.
Amalgamation of the North London and Queen's Park Harriers
The above popular cross-country packs have amalgamated, and in future will be known as the Queen's Park Harriers. The colours will be changed for Tom Cannon's "Danebury Hoops" (red and white).[8]
From formation, as well as being an athletics club, Q.P.H. would also organise social events for its members including "Smoking Concerts".[9]
After the death of Mr E. J. Liddiard in 1946, the longest serving founding member of the club,[2] the annual Liddiard Trophy Cross Country race was inaugurated on March 20, 1948[10] and continues to be run by club members at the local Fryent Country Park.[11]
In 2021, the club was commended by England Athletics for their role in helping members of the local community stay active during the Covid pandemic lockdown stating:
Queen's Park Harriers, based in north west London, have been a shining example over the last 12-months of harnessing the sport's strong community spirit, particularly during this challenging time.[12]
As of the 2022 event, long standing member William (Bill) O'Connor is one of only 7 remaining London Marathon 'Ever Presents', having run in all 42 events, starting with the 1981 event in a time of 02:35:52, at the age of 35.[13][14]
The club members compete in events throughout the year, focusing on road and track events in the spring and summer months, and cross country in the winter.
Middlesex County Veterans Cross Country Championships [17]
Southern Counties Cross Country Championships [17]
Associated Clubs
Queen's Park Harriers also includes a club for junior athletes (ages 7 to 16).[18]
The junior club competes in the following leagues:
North West London Young Athletes Cross Country League
Middlesex Young Athletes League
Notable Athletes
Bert Ives - Won the 1500m Olympic trials to represent Great Britain for the 1912 Summer Olympics, but was unable to compete in the event due to lack of financial backing.[19]
Chris Lindsay - Brother of Mike Lindsay, who represented Great Britain as a 440 yards runner.
Norman Futter - Represented Great Britain in the 4 x 400m Relay during the GB vs USA Meet on July 21 / 22nd 1961, becoming the Commonwealth and European Record Holder,
Tony Cunnew - Discus thrower with a personal record of 50.83m in 1962.[25]
