ORGANISERS of a popular cross country event are appealing for information about the first-ever race as it marks its 100th anniversary this year.

Part of the route of the annual Herbert's Hole challenge in Chesham follows the same course of the 1914 English National Cross Country Championships, which attracted some of England's top athletes.

It was hosted a few months before the outbreak of the First World War, with many of the runners who took part going on to take part in combat.

As part of the centenary commemorations of the war, organisers from the Chiltern Harriers Athletic Club are looking for information about some of the race's first participants.

Club chairman Trevor Davies said: "It seems fitting that we do something special this year. Part of the race is run over the same course as the national and international races held in 1914, and which started and finished in what was then called Chesham Park.

"It’s poignant that so many of the young men who came to the town to run that March would not survive the Great War.

"We would like to hear from anyone who has information about the events and, in particular, about any of the local runners who took part."

That first race was won by 25-year-old Charlie Ruffell of the Highgate Harriers club, a Royal Engineer who competed for Great Britain in the 1912 and 1920 Olympic Games.

He was presented with a trophy that was paid for by the people of Chesham, who raised 30 guineas for it. Named the Chesham Challenge Cup, it is still presented every year to the winner of the National championship.

Anyone with information about the first race can contact Tony Molesworth on 01494 773381.

Meanwhile entries for this year's Herbert's Hole race are now being accepted.

The 10k challenge takes place on Sunday, November 16, starting at 11am in Lowndes Park.

Go to www.chilternharriers.weebly.com/herberts-hole to enter online or download a postal entry form.