THREE long-term friends and running mates have collaborated on a 1.4-kilogram book, to tell the story of the ACT Cross Country Club.

In 2017, publisher Brian Lenton pitched the project to editors John Gilbert and Charlie Modrak, in their 70s now. All were long-term runners and members of the Cross Country Club, which had been a big part of their sporting and social lives spanning decades.

“It’s a story worth telling for many reasons,” says John Gilbert.

“The transformation from a tiny group of a dozen at most, to a club of over 1000 members and many more participants represents amazing growth,” 

In 1957, a small group of Canberrans began meeting up for cross-country races, and the ACT Cross Country Club formed officially in 1962.

John says the book doesn’t claim to be a definitive history, although it does show the growth of the club and discusses significant milestones.

“We used the term ‘story’ because most of the words are via the memories of members,” he says.

The book, “We Ran Canberra – The Story of the ACT Cross Country Club 1962-2010”, has just been published and John says it has been very well received.

“Since it is so big, 320 A4 pages, and heavy, most early buyers haven’t had time to read it all, but the first impressions have been enthusiastic.” 

The front cover features an aerial photo of a 1978 fun run making its way down Adelaide Avenue.

John says the hardest part to putting the book together was getting started, especially because all three collaborators are retired and out of practice at producing documents for public consumption.

“It was time consuming, exacting, sometimes frustrating, but exciting and rewarding in many ways,” he says. 

A common first response has been surprise at the quality of the production. The photographs and humorous anecdotes scattered throughout have drawn comment and rekindled memories.

“More than once, during races in farmland, groups of horses joined a pack and ran along with the men,” John says.

“It was potentially quite dangerous as the horses were in an excited state, but they eventually saw the futility of the activity and peeled off to resume grazing. Or perhaps they couldn’t keep up?”

The club promoted and organised distance running in the ACT for 48 years and there were 37,000 names recorded as having participated in at least one event over that time.

“It’s been a significant contributor to the life of Canberra,” says John.

More significant is the female growth story. Four female names are recorded in race results for the first 16 years, but by 1993, female participation outnumbered male, and it remained that way for the next 17 years.

“It’s the club’s main claim to fame,” he says.

Unfortunately, the club was forced to dissolve in 2010.

The Canberra Marathon was one of its highest profile events, drawing participants from across Australia and overseas.

“It was always a club-owned event, but the planning and management had been contracted to a specialist running-events company.”

A dispute arose over ownership of the event that could not be resolved amicably and led to court proceedings.

“Judgement went against the club and it was forced to dissolve, much to the distress and disappointment of the membership and leadership.”

John says the club catered for all comers, from “also-rans” to Australian representatives, Olympians and world champions, and it provided support and a network of relationships that went beyond running.

“Contributors used terms including caring, supportive, encouraging, welcoming, accepting, and respectful, irrespective of ability level.”

Available at The Runners Shop, Dundas Court, Phillip, $45.