This is an abridged version of the exhaustive origin story by Belgrave historian Alan Mead.
The traditional Boxing Day Handicap Meeting began in 1887 and was held on the Grosvenor Road Embankment adjacent to Chelsea Bridge with the finish at The King William IV pub.
1887
On Friday 7th October 1887 a group of friends, inspired by an athletics meeting they saw at the Oval cricket ground, gathered at the Kings Arms in Pimlico to discuss a proposition to form a Harriers club of their own.
A.H.N. Edwards was appointed Honorary Secretary and J.H. Martyn was to be Club Captain. The badge would borrow the portcullis from the City of Westminster’s coat of arms, and all that was left to decide was whether Belgrave Harriers or Pimlico Harriers was the right choice of name.
‘Belgrave’ was thought to represent a larger area of London and claimed Buckingham Palace - so the decision was made.
The first race
Sporting Life magazine reported that two weeks later, some 35 members took part in “a most enjoyable run of about seven miles … starting from The Castle, Wimbledon, the hares – Messrs. A.H.N. Edwards, hon. sec., and W.R. Weller – were allowed ten minutes start and laid the trail over a stiff course by way of Wimbledon Common, Kingston Vale, Roehampton and Putney.”
South of the River
Although officially headquartered in Pimlico, members would frequently run the ‘Bridges circuit’ still familiar to today’s members, and enjoyed getting out into the countryside of Wandsworth and Wimbledon.
Battersea Park became a favoured training base and the club held an annual race meet on the grounds at Oldridge Road, Balham.
More to follow - page under construction.