"Runs", a game or a sport?

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Elsa T. S. Vieira - 26 Nov 2003 17:53 GMT

Hello!

I'm a portuguese translator and I'm currently working on a book where I'm
having trouble with the exact meaning of "Runs" in the context used.

This paragraph refers to sports played in a british school in the beggining
of the 20th century, in the twenties, more precisely. The author mentions
rugger and cricket, and then says that he enjoyed "runs" because it allowed
him to be alone in the solitude of the countryside.

I'm guessing something like a race, maybe?

I would really appreciate some help on this. Thanks in advance,

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Elsa T. S. Vieira

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Owain - 26 Nov 2003 18:33 GMT

| This paragraph refers to sports played in a british school in the
| beggining of the 20th century, in the twenties, more precisely.
| The author mentions rugger and cricket, and then says that he
| enjoyed "runs" because it allowed him to be alone in the solitude
| of the countryside.
| I'm guessing something like a race, maybe?

This would be a cross-country run i.e. a long (several miles) run along
country lanes, across fields, etc.

Apart from the fastest few, it would not normally be considered a race, just
a torture to be endured and completed.

Owain

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Elsa T. S. Vieira - 26 Nov 2003 19:14 GMT

Yes, I had an idea it would be that sort of race, I just never had seen it
refered to as "runs".

Thanks a lot!

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Elsa T. S. Vieira

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Einde O'Callaghan - 26 Nov 2003 19:31 GMT

> Yes, I had an idea it would be that sort of race, I just never had seen it
> refered to as "runs".

"To go for a run" in the singular but "to go for runs" (on a regular
basis or whatever) in the plural. Or so says my memory of various runs
while at boarding school.

Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

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Elsa T. S. Vieira - 26 Nov 2003 19:46 GMT

What baffled me, really, was the way he put it:

(quote)
"Runs" I liked, because it allowed me to be alone in the solitude of the
countryside.
(unquote)

The quotation marks are his. That's why I thought it must be some kind of
special game or something.

You've all been very helpful. Thanks again.

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Elsa T. S. Vieira

> > Yes, I had an idea it would be that sort of race, I just never had seen it
> > refered to as "runs".
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

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Django Cat - 26 Nov 2003 22:35 GMT

Owain's right about cross-country runs at school; more an exercise in
sadism than a sport.

Elsa, another possibility is that the author enjoyed going for 'runs'
on his own as a non-sporting activity; people today might talk about
'going jogging' but the more athletic keep-fit fan would still say,
for example, they were 'going for a run round the block' - I had
college friends who'd go for a run to the pub.

A more antiquated usage for 'a run' (though not relevant here) would
be a ride out in the car to see the countryside.

Regards
DC Cat

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John Ramsay - 27 Nov 2003 16:10 GMT

> > Yes, I had an idea it would be that sort of race, I just never had seen it
> > refered to as "runs".
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

That's coz the phrase 'The Runs' has its own nuances.

And not as a sporting event.

The definite article does add emphasis -:)

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Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / November 2003

"Runs", a game or a sport?