Cape Times Cross Country Competition
The Cape Times Cross Country Competition is an annual Scouting cross country race. In more recent years, the competition has been divided into two courses namely, a Junior and Senior course, thus allowing younger Scouts to compete as well. This Trophy is now also held in conjunction with the Quinn Trophy competition, but the two trophies are judged separately.
The History of the Cape Times Cross Country Race
This trophy was introduced in 1923 after being donated to Scouting by The Cape Times Newspaper, and from the extracts in our archives of the period, it was certainly a tough race for Scouts.
Here are some reports from the 1920's to give you an idea as to where it was run in the early days when traffic was not a problem.
1923
This new trophy was up for competition this year for the first time on Saturday 1st September 1923. It was an eight mile (13km) relay race for teams of four Scouts under 18 years.
Check points were Newlands Station, Pinelands level crossing, Municipal abattoirs, Foreshore Road, Van Riebeeck's Statue. The first Simon's Town starter failed to find any of his team and ran the whole eight miles himself. The Winners were 2nd Green & Sea Point (GASP)
1924
The Cape Times Cross Country Trophy was competed for during the July school holidays, the course being from the top of Queens Road, Sea Point, round a marker at Kloof Nek, and then to the Cape Times Building in St George's Street. It was a stiff run and was referred to by Dr Dommisse, later Divisional Commissioner, who said it was not harmful to a physically fit boy, but should be limited to over thirteens.
An interesting thought is whether this course could be run today, or whether it would become an obstacle race! It does not seem so long ago, but in 1924 few Cape Town streets were tarred. The result: First – 1st Green & Sea Point in 23 minutes; Second – 7th Cape Town; Third – 2nd Green & Sea Point. There were no casualties.
1925
Tygerberg Station to the Cape Times building in St George's Street. Winners were 7th Cape Town (Gardens).
1926
Newlands Station to the Cape Times building in St George's Street. Winners were once again 7th Cape Town (Gardens)
Cross Country Trophy Winners
Please note that there were some years when this competition was not run as there was a Policy of every so often reducing the number of Divisional competitions to make time for District events. However, some competitions like this one were re-introduced either on its own or together with others as a 'Mixed Bag'.
| Year | Winners |
|---|---|
| 1923 | 2nd Green & Sea Point |
| 1924 | 1st Green & Sea Point |
| 1925 | 7th Cape Town (Gardens) |
| 1926 | 7th Cape Town (Gardens) |
| 1927 | 7th Cape Town (Gardens) |
| 1928 | 4th Rondebosch |
| 1929 | 7th Cape Town (Gardens) |
| 1930 | 4th Rondebosch |
| 1931 | 1st Cape Town (St Johns) |
| 1932 | 1st Cape Town (St Johns) |
| 1937 | 1st Claremont & 2nd Rondebosch |
| 1938 | 1st Rosebank |
| 1939 | 4th Rondebosch |
| 1941 | 7th Cape Town (Gardens) |
| 1943 | 3rd Wynberg |
| 1946 | 2nd Green & Sea Point |
| 1956 | 2nd Rondebosch |
| 1957 | 4th Rondebosch |
| 1960 | 1st Worcester |
| 1968 | 7th Green & Sea Point |
| 1973 | 2nd Rondebosch |
| 1974 | 2nd Rondebosch |
| 1975 | 2nd Rondebosch |
| 1976 | 1st Pinelands |
| 1977 | 1st Pinelands |
| 1978 | 1st Pinelands |
| 1979 | 1st Pinelands |
| 1980 | 1st Pinelands |
| 1981 | 1st Pinelands |
| 1982 | 1st Faure |
| 1983 | 1st Faure |
| 1984 | 1st Faure |
| 1985 | 1st Parow |
| 1986 | 1st Parow |
| 1988 | 2nd Somerset West |
| 1989 | 1st Steenberg |
| 1990 | 2nd Somerset West |
| 1991 | 1st Northpine |
| 1992 | 2nd Somerset West |
| 1993 | 2nd Somerset West |
| 1994 | 1st Northpine & 1st Ikwezi |
| 1995 | 1st Northpine |
| 1997 | 1st Pinelands |
| 2000 | 3rd Pinelands |
| 2001 | 2nd Fish Hoek |
| 2002 | 2nd Fish Hoek |
| 2003 | 2nd Fish Hoek |
| 2004 | 2nd Fish Hoek |
| 2005 | 2nd Fish Hoek |
| 2006 | 1st Durbanville |
| 2007 | 1st Tableview |
| 2008 | 1st Durbanville |
| 2009 | 3rd Gugulethu |
| 2010 | 1st Durbanville |
| 2011 | TLC Mannenberg |
| 2012 | 3rd Pinelands |
| 2013 | 1st Pinelands & 1st Monte Vista (Tie) |
| 2014 | 2nd Kenridge & 3rd Pinelands (Tie) |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | 1st Darling |
| 2019 | 6th Rondebosch |
