King’s College London
History
As a constituent college of the University of London (UoL), King’s students represented UoL for many decades. Training and competitions were held at UoL’s athletics stadium at Motspur Park. King’s student had the opportunity to compete under the King’s Banner in the annual University of London Intercollegiate Track and Field Championships and in the London Colleges League (LCL). The LCL would become the LUCA XC League and the Intercollegiate championships were the precursor to LUCA Indoor and Outdoor championships.
1867
The club can trace its roots back to the 1800’s through the medical school, Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ (GKT). Six London medical schools, including King’s, Guy’s and St Thomas’ formed the United Hospitals Athletics Club. The United Hospitals Club held an annual competition for the ‘United Hospitals Athletics Shield’. The shield has been awarded since 1867 and is now incorporated into LUCA Indoor Championships.
1990s
UoL sold Motspur to Fulham FC, who converted the space into a football training ground. The earliest evidence of the college club emerges, with committee’s leb by Andy White, Rob Hall, Paul Willott, Kester Hewett and Justin Marshall.
2000s
KCL Running hosts bi-weekly training in Regents Park.
In 2009, the club was struggling to get more than ten members. In response, President Glenn Barden rebranded the club as ‘KCL Athletics and Cross-Country’ and successfully recruited over 30 members. The transition to a fully functioning athletics club had begun.
2010s
In 2014 UCL withdraws it’s athletes from entering BUCS as UoL. KCL starts hosting training at Parliament Hill
In 2015, King’s sees the arrival of some high-performance athletes: Dina Asher-Smith, Laviai Neilsen, Shona Richards and Max Nicholls. The club is awarded ‘Focus Club’ status by King’s Sport and begins to employ coaches. The club moves to Battersea Park Athletics Track and hosts coached sessions for jumps, throws, sprints and distance. The club withdraws athletes from entering BUCS with UoL. With over 70 members, the club enters its first squad into BUCS cross-country, BUCS indoor and BUCS outdoor championships.
King’s members James Findon, Emma Reynolds, Calvi Thompson, Mimi Corden-Lloyd and Ed Trump worked with UCL and Imperial students to establish the London Colleges Athletics Series (LCAS). King’s wins the inaugural series. LCAS later merge with the LCL to form LUCA. LCAS is re-branded LUCA Outdoor Series and later becomes the LUCA Outdoor Championships.
In 2016 KCL Athletics and Cross Country club plays a fundamental role in the creation of the London Universities and Colleges Athletics (LUCA). Club president James Findon becomes LUCA Chair.
Also in 2016 the club moves to it’s new permanent home at Southwark Park Athletics Centre. The club creates a partnership with London City Athletics Club (now known as Southwark AC) to provide coaching across track and field disciplines.
In 2016 the club partners with King’s Sport to host the first ‘Great King’s Run’ – a 5K and 10K around the River Thames for all students and staff at KCL.
2020s
In 2021 the club wins LUCA Indoor Championships for the first time. The club goes on to win the title in 2022, 2023 and 2024.