Cross Country

Cross Country, and distance running, enjoys a lively and fiercely competitive programme, as well as a proud history in Scottish Universities. This includes two of the oldest Athletics Clubs in Britain: Aberdeen University Hare and Hounds (now a part of AUAC) and Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds; developing hosts of Champions, and a number of past and present GB and Scotland internationals.

The focus for many is the annual Scottish Universities Cross Country Championships in early December, in which runners of all abilities from all institutions clash to compete for the closely contested SUS titles - both individual and team. The Scottish Universities Team is subsequently selected to compete against some of the best runners in the world in the televised Great Edinburgh Cross Country, in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

Additionally, there is a good deal of inter-University rivalry in other races throughout the academic year - including in annual fixtures hosted by Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Heriot-Watt Universities.

The programme also includes both Hill Running and Road Relay Championships, reflecting these events' traditional place in the Scottish Athletics Calendar, and the strong interest in these disciplines from students in Scottish Universities.

All University Athletics Clubs provide structured support to athletes of all abilities interested in Road, Hill or Cross Country Running, with many working together to provide quality training and competitive opportunities. In addition, many Universities provide running and jogging groups on a non-competitive basis, to promote physical activity and keep fit in partnership with jogscotland.