Identifiernot specifiedDate28th June 1913Photographernot specifiedDescriptionA popular athletics event in Hornsby was the five mile foot race organised by the Hornsby Churches Amateur Athletics Association. The race was run annually for five years from 1910 to 1914 after which it ceased due to the War.
The first race was held during the winter of 1910. The course started at the Post Office on the corner of Peat’s Ferry Road and Coronation Street. Runners headed north along Peat’s Ferry Road near Hookhams Corner (15 mile peg) where they turned around heading south passing the Post Office to the foot of Camp Hill (13 mile peg) on Peats Ferry Road. At this point they turned around and continued past the Post Office again going north on Peat’s Ferry Road to Summer’s Corner (half a mile north of the Post Office on Peat’s Ferry Road, two houses beyond Bridge Road). Here they made the final turn and headed back to finish line at the Post Office.
In 1911 the race was held on Saturday 2nd September and there were 23 competitors. F S Cotton, representing the Methodist Church team won in 31 minutes and was closely followed by George Morton and Percy Morton, both representing the Presbyterian team.
In 1912 the race was run in 29 minutes and 58 seconds with the same runners from the previous year coming first and second, F S Cotton and Percy Morton.
The 1913 race was postponed by a week owing to heavy conditions of the roads. It was a gala day and there were many spectators. The race was very keenly contested and won in a dead heat by F S Cotton and J Rolph in a time of 29 minutes and 35 seconds, followed in second place by Percy Morton. The Presbyterians were the overall winning team with 23.25 points.
At the last race held in 1914 J Rolph won in a time of 29 minutes and 20 seconds with F S Cotton in second place.
After the race each year, in the evening a banquet was held in the School of Arts, Hornsby.
The Hornsby Association was affiliated with the NSW Amateur Athletics Association in May 1913 and Hornsby athletes featured prominently at their initial entry in open competition, achieving a result of second place in the team race, defeating a number of the older established clubs.
Location
Building NameHornsbyPeat's Ferry RoadRaceAthleticsStreet:StreetView:&enabled=0&fov=90&heading=0&pitch=0&zoom=19