Looking at The Hare and Hounds’ 130-year old history, you might assume that this club is reserved for elite, fast and furious runners, whose medal-winning streaks certainly reinforce their commitment to success. And yes, the trophy cabinet is growing and thriving, but after talking with captains Liam Edwards and Caitlyn Heggie, I learned medal success is only one half of the story. Their personal mission? “Bridging the gap” and “making running more inclusive” for everyone.
Sitting down with the pair last week, their passion for the club was immediately obvious, and they seemed easy and comfortable in their teamwork, joking that their “exec committee group chat pops off a lot.” Despite only being in her second year, Caitlyn exuded confidence in her captaincy, unsurprising when she revealed that she had been following the club long before attending university, stating that the running scene was her “reason for choosing Edinburgh.” Whilst they stressed how “the club is fantastic,” they both felt they had new ideas and there was room to improve it. Their plans for evolving the club, whilst honouring its legacy, are reflected in their commitment to making the club accessible and representative for all, such as in their active participation in Women and Girls in Sport Week where they “support women and girls who run, race, lead and inspire within our community.”
Their principal mission focuses on dismantling the “elitist ideology” that they feel unfairly surrounds the sport — the two emphasise how they want “everyone to be a part and feel a part of the club,” regardless of their background and experience. Caitlyn was quick to reassure any nervous newcomers that “you don’t have to be super competitive to be a part of the club.” Their leadership has already taken steps to prove this, evidenced by their change of the old jogging club to a social run club which offers cheaper memberships exclusively for students who just want to come for runs, socials, and most importantly, nabbing the society discounts at Dropkicks and Summerhall.
The Haries host two weekly run clubs, starting in the east of the Meadows every Thursday and Sunday. Weekend runs are followed up by a trip to Summerhall Cafe for coffee, cake, and chat, something current members have spotlighted as “easy to mingle at” and a great way “to get involved for the first time.” Liam also highlighted the KB5 taking place on 29 November at Kings Campus and up the hills, saying how it’s a fun and low-pressure way to meet people and get involved.
However, don’t make the mistake of assuming the social aspects detract from the club’s competitive spirit. It was clear that both captains love to win and the club’s results continue to speak for themselves; at the National Cross Country Relays in October, the women’s A-team claimed second place whilst the men’s A-team achieved bronze. This success is not unfamiliar to them, with Caitlyn celebrating how the women’s A-team has medalled for the past nine years. Liam seemed most proud, however, of the size of the club’s competitors, with relay growing from six to fifteen mixed ability teams since last year. “It’s so much more than just winning medals,” Liam laughed, “but the medals are still a nice bonus,” Caitlyn was quick to add.
When discussing their favourite club memories, there was no hesitation before both captains answered the Isle of Man running festival, with Liam joking: “What happens on the Isle of Man, stays on the Isle of Man.” Throughout our conversation, it was clear that the club fosters genuine friendships that last far beyond the finish line. This is evidenced not just by the fact that Caitlyn met her current flatmates through the club, but also the warmth and laughter with which she reflects upon these moments — she says that she “did not stop laughing the whole weekend.”
As someone who finds the idea of running in public slightly intimidating and a situation that I would never have found myself willingly considering, even I left our conversation feeling genuinely motivated and willing to give it a go. Caitlyn’s reassurance that “there’s something for everyone” and that it’s no more complicated than “just putting one foot in front of the other” is a firm reassurance that this club is genuinely proud of all its members, regardless of their speed or competition streak — showing up and commitment is what they value most. Now in his fourth year, Liam is confident that his time at the club “will be with him for life.” It’s impossible for it to not “become a part of you” after years spent proudly in his “green vest, green shorts, green socks and green face.”
To get involved, follow @eu_hareandhounds on Instagram.
Image via Hare and Hounds Running Club