Kingston Athletic Club and Polytechnic Harriers explained

The Polytechnic Harriers is an athletic club with long ties to what is now the London Marathon. In 1908 they oversaw the opening and closing ceremonies for the 1908 Olympics, the Game's marathon, and played a large part in the development of the Polytechnic Marathon, which ran from 1909- 1996.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} The Polytechnic Harriers were based at the Chiswick track and their history with racing events predated "the Poly" since they oversaw walking races from London to Brighton as far back as 1897.^{[5] [6]}

The club was founded by philanthropist Quintin Hogg in 1883, and they were known for four years as the Hanover United AC, and were the athletics arm of Quintin Hogg's Regent Street Polytechnic.^[7] In 1985 The Polytechnic Harriers merged with The Royal Borough of Kingston AC, a women's club that evolved from Surrey AC, and it is now known as Kingston AC and Polytechnic Harriers (Kingston & Poly). The Polytechnic's Kinnaird and Sward Trophies are still contested annually at Kingston & Poly's home track - Kingsmeadow. The Polytechnic Marathon is no longer held, having been superseded by the London Marathon. Kingston & Poly's men now compete nationally in the British Athletics League and, at area level, the men and women operate jointly in the Southern Athletics League, although they were relegated to lesser divisions in 2016.^[8]

Among the notable athletes who ran with the Club is Harry Edward, Britain's first Black Olympic medalist.^[9] The Club's archives are still held at the University of Westminster.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Polley . Martin . From Windsor Castle to White City: The 1908 Olympic Marathon Route . The London Journal . 1 July 2009 . 34 . 2 . 163–178 . 10.1179/174963209X442441 . 162023260 . 0305-8034.
2. News: Hill . Dave . London Marathon: 35 years of change in 26.2 miles . 2 July 2021 . the Guardian . 23 April 2016 . en.
3. News: Usborne . Simon . Timeline: The marathon . 2 July 2021 . The Independent . 23 October 2011 . en.
4. Web site: Poly History – Harriers Athletic Club – Polytechnic Football Club . 2 July 2021.
5. Book: Bryant . John . The Marathon Makers . 17 April 2009 . Kings Road Publishing . 978-1-84358-228-1 . 2 July 2021 . en.
6. Clapson . Mark . Global Sport in the Suburbs: The Regent Street Polytechnic's Sports Facilities at Chiswick, 1888–1938 . The London Journal . 1 November 2014 . 39 . 3 . 265–280 . 10.1179/0305803414Z.00000000052 . 144590927 . 0305-8034.
7. http://www.kingstonandpoly.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=37 Kingston Athletics Club & Polytechnic Harriers History of the club 03-07-2007
8. News: Athletics: Kingston & Polytechnic Harriers fall at final British League hurdle . 2 July 2021 . Your Local Guardian . 12 August 2016 . en.
9. News: Dawkins . Sarah . Harry Edward: The Berlin-born POW who became Britain's first black Olympic medallist . 2 July 2021 . Sky Sports . 16 October 2020 . en.
10. Web site: Polytechnic Harriers Athletic Club - University of Westminster › Records and Archives . westminster-atom.arkivum.net . University of Westminster . 2 July 2021.