Spartan Harriers was formed on 26 April 1901 when a general meeting took place at the Cumberland Hotel for the purpose of forming a Harriers club “to foster cross-country running and promote athletics in general.” Besides that first Big Walk in 1903, it also presented the first marathon in South Africa, in 1907. The race was won by Chas Childs of Spartans in 3:12:55, and there was so much public interest that the crowds stood up to twelve-deep in places along the route! Another landmark date saw the Ladies’ Section formed in 1926 and women allowed to compete in the Big Walk for the first time. Spartans became a force in Cape athletics, winning the Western Province cross-country team championship 27 times between 1906 and 1940, amongst other titles.