Depending on who you talk to and want to believe, the use of an arrow as a symbol to represent cross country appears to stem from one of three areas.

#1 ... ln the early days of cross country running in England and Europe, paper arrows and/or chalk arrows were used to mark which direction the runners should take so that they would not go off course. These were either glued or drawn with chalk on trees, fence posts, buildings, streets, etc. depending on where the course was laid out. Eventually symbols and letters were added to provide additional information. For example, while running, if you came across an arrow with three straight lines above the tip of the arrow, it meant that way was a dead end and you are off course. Children picked up elements of this type of symbolism and made their own running and hiding games called "Fox and Hounds" or "Hare and Hounds" or "Chalk Corners Game". As more and more immigrants entered America, they brought these games, and their markings with them.

#2 ... ln America in the early to mid-1800's, Native Americans were recognized for their strength and long distance running skill. Promoters (first in the East and later in the West), began promoting a series of long distance races between Native American runners and their international counterparts from England and Europe. Cash prizes were awarded and tens of thousands of spectators were known to attend these events. The events were usually surrounded by county fairs or Independence Day celebrations, etc. Once again, paper arrows, chalk, and by this time wooden arrows were used to mark the path to take. The arrow was also recognized as a way to honor our Native Americans.

#3 ... Probably the most common and accepted explanation is one of homage to the Greeks and the ancient Olympics brought forward into the modern Olympic era starting in 1896 with the games in Athens, Greece. The winged foot has been a long time accepted symbol for track and is associated with Hermes and Mercury and known to represent not only speed, but also protection of youth. As to the arrow and why its use in cross country and long distance running, it appears to derive from honoring Artemis one of the Greek Gods. In ancient times, races were routinely held in Greece with both young men and young women running in them. These races were always dedicated to Artemis. The arrow represented the difficulty of a hunt while traversing all types of terrain (cross country) and also as a symbol for the athleticism and strength necessary to complete these tasks.

Whatever the real reason, the arrow has been around for a very long time to help represent cross country and long distance running.