150 Years of Varsity Athletics: A Legacy of Excellence and Inclusion

A female athlete leaps backwards over a high jump pole.

Did you know the world’s oldest modern athletics match was between Cambridge and Oxford?

First held in 1864, the Varsity Athletics Match has become a historic symbol of tradition, rivalry, and sporting innovation. This year, Cambridge hosted a milestone celebration, commemorating the:

🏆150th Men’s Competition
🏆50th Women’s Competition
🏆2nd Para Competition

The event was hosted at the Wilberforce Road Sports Ground, a fitting stage for a competition that continues to break new ground while honouring its roots, powered by a University-wide commitment to excellence, inclusion, and wellbeing in sport.

A disc-shaped golden plaque reads: 'Word Athletics. Cambridge University Athletic Club, Athletics Excellence Since 1857.'
A person dressed in a dark blue blazer holds a golden plaque in one arm.

Honouring the Past: Heritage Recognised

In recognition of Cambridge University Athletic Club’s (CUAC) extraordinary legacy, World Athletics awarded two prestigious Heritage Plaques, one for CUAC, and one for the Varsity Match itself.

Founded in 1857, CUAC is one of the oldest athletics clubs in the world and was instrumental in developing the rules that underpin modern track and field.

The plaques were presented by Magdalene College alumnus Jon Ridgeon, CEO of World Athletics, who returned to Cambridge to mark the occasion.

A male athlete lands in a pool of water as he clears a hurdle.
A male athlete leaps through the air to clear a hurdle.
Three individual, two male and one female, stand on a balcony overlooking an athletics track holding golden disc-shaped plaques. The male on the left and the female on the right wear cream coloured Club blazers, while the central make wears a dark suit and light blue shirt.

Paul Wilcox (Corpus Christi 1971), President and Archivist of The Achilles Club; Jon Ridgeon (Magdalene 1986), CEO of World Athletics; and Jess Poon (St Catharine's 2021), President of CUAC 24/25, with the commemorative plaques

Paul Wilcox (Corpus Christi 1971), President and Archivist of The Achilles Club; Jon Ridgeon (Magdalene 1986), CEO of World Athletics; and Jess Poon (St Catharine's 2021), President of CUAC 24/25, with the commemorative plaques

A Tradition of Competition and Progress

This year saw Cambridge triumph in:

🥇 Men’s Blues
🥇 Para Team
🥇 Men’s 2nds
🥇 Women’s 2nds

CUAC President, Jess Poon, highlighted how Varsity has evolved, embracing inclusivity and expanding opportunities for women and para-athletes, while preserving the camaraderie and competitive spirit that define the event.

A female athlete in a wheelchair smiles broadly with a silver trophy. A man in a dark suit stands smiling next to her.
Two female athletes stand either side of a man in a dark suit, posing for a photo with their silver dish trophy.

Sport at the Heart of Cambridge

The celebration reflects Cambridge’s broader commitment to supporting sport at every level. Activity priorities include:

Club Support Programme: Helping student clubs thrive and deliver high-quality training and competition experiences, ensuring sustainability and growth.

University of Cambridge Athlete Performance Programme (UCAPP): Supporting elite athletes to balance sport and study.

Active Students Initiative: Encouraging participation for all, regardless of ability or experience level.

Two male athletes face a crowd of spectators, holding a silver trophy above their heads.
Members of CUAC pose for a group photo on tiered seating.

"Involvement in physical activity and sports provides a much-needed release from the intense pressures that are associated with life at Cambridge”, said Bhaskar Vira, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education. “I firmly believe that these are inherently complementary pursuits, allowing participants to achieve a balance between their work commitments and their own personal wellbeing."

As Cambridge looks to build on this legacy, the University invites alumni and supporters to help sustain and grow these opportunities, ensuring that generations of Cambridge students continue to benefit from the profound personal, academic, and societal advantages that sport and physical activity bring.

Find out more information on how to support sport at Cambridge

Image credits: Museum of World Athletics / James Rhodes