The roots of athletics stretch far back, but one key moment marks the start of modern athletics meetings: the first Oxford versus Cambridge Athletics Match in 1864.
This year, we’re celebrating the 150th edition of that event, along with the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Varsity Match. To mark it all, the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) is putting on a two-day pop-up exhibition on 16-17 May 2025.
Back on 5 March 1864, just 28 male undergraduates took part across eight events, ending in a tie. Fast forward to this year and nearly 200 athletes from both men’s and women’s teams will compete across 60 events in a true celebration of sporting history.
Jon Ridgeon, CEO of World Athletics and Cambridge graduate, said: “World Athletics and the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) are delighted to celebrate the rich athletics history of the Varsity Athletics Match between Oxford & Cambridge Universities, which is marking its 150th edition on 17 May.
“Our MOWA pop-up exhibition – ‘Women in Athletics’, which will be situated during the weekend of the match in the Pavilion at the Cambridge University sports ground track – commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Match, with competition artefacts from some of the greatest British and international stars of our sport.
“Our displays include the 1948 London Olympic accreditation card of Fanny Blankers-Koen who won four gold medals at those post-war Games, and the Paris 2024 Olympic marathon singlet and name bib of another Flying Dutchwoman, Sifan Hassan, who won three medals last year.
“On Saturday (17), I am especially looking forward to presenting two World Athletics Heritage Plaques which will be placed on permanent display in the Pavilion. These awards salute the illustrious history of the Varsity Match which was first contested in 1864, and that of this year’s hosts, the Cambridge University Athletic Club.”
Spotlight on History
Apart from all competition action, MOWA will have two themed displays about timekeeping history and women’s role in athletics.
The exhibit runs on May 16 (private viewing; not open to public) and May 17 (open for athletes and spectators at Varsity).
‘Timing Innovation and the Pursuit of Precision’ highlights how important this match has been for sports timing. The first use ever recorded for automated timing happened at their eleventh meeting in 1874 held at Lillie Bridge stadium in West Brompton, London.
The timer was made by local watchmaker James W Benson way ahead of its time – keep in mind official electronic timing records only became standard exactly a hundred years later.
This breakthrough tech allowed readings down to hundredths of seconds – now what everyone aims for – but strangely it got mixed reactions then and soon faded away. So this exhibit is a rare chance to rediscover something amazing yet largely forgotten.
This marks an important chapter in sports timing that goes back from ancient ‘records’ timed by sun positions through pharaohs’ races right up to astronomical tools adapted for speed measurement centuries ago. It ends with video tech slicing sprint finishes into thousandths-showcased through timeline graphics rolled out visually.
‘Women in Athletics’ honors female achievements since their events were officially added to Varsity Matches starting in ’75. To mark this milestone MOWA has picked rare pieces representing iconic moments throughout women’s athletic history.
Some highlights:
1948 Olympic accreditation card belonging to Fanny Blankers-Koen-the only woman winning four Olympic golds plus being mother simultaneously-a big deal breaking gender norms then;
Silver-coated spikes worn by Diane Leather who became first woman running mile under five minutes shortly after Roger Bannister broke four minutes for men-yet she got barely any attention;
Running shoes used by Jacqueline Hansen & Grete Waitz-marathon pioneers smashing barriers under respectively 2:40 and 2:30;
Irena Szewinska’s spikes from her world record-setting run over 400m at Montreal Olympics ’76-the peak achievement among an outstanding career;
Spiked shoes belonging to Nawal El Moutawakel-the first African woman grabbing Olympic gold on track (400m hurdles)-and Allyson Felix during her very first world title win over 200m;
The singlet & bib number worn by Sifan Hassan when she took home marathon gold at Paris Olympics ’24 while also medaling over 5000m/10000m-a repeat feat like Emil Zatopek did long ago.
A Special Postcard
MOWA also created a special postcard just for this event featuring an image of Benson’s chronometer from 1871 used for timing those early varsity races. The numbers around its face are redesigned honoring famous women athletes arranged chronologically forming a visual timeline showing how much history fits into every hour!
Pierre-Jean Vazel for World Athletics Heritage
MOWA Pop-Up Exhibition
The Pavilion
Cambridge University Athletics Track
Wilberforce Road Sports Ground
18 Adams Road
Cambridge
CB3 9AD
Schedule
Friday 16 May – MOWA Display: Private opening by invitation only
Saturday 17 May – MOWA Display: Open to public all day.
10.00hrs – Competition starts
12.30hrs – Presentation ceremony for World Athletics Heritage Plaques
17.45hrs – Awards ceremony
