Cross Country running can be traced back to ancient Greece’s marathons.  However, the organized cross country racing is not that old, beginning in the 1800’s in Great Britain.  At the time of the invention, it was called “the hare and the hounds.”  Some people called it “the paper chase.”

Cross Country is usually run on land, over hills.  Courses can be set up through wooded areas as well.  In the United States, many High Schools use golf courses to hold events.  They are held in the Fall of the year, when there are not as many golfers using the course

Cross Country did have a short presence in the Olympics, being held from 1912-1924.

Cross Country for the Boys began during the 1915-16 school year in Minneapolis.