Athletics at Jeppe dates from 1903 when a cross-country race, organised by staff from Marist Brothers, St. Johns, Kind Edward VII and ourselves, was won by a Jeppe boy.

In 1905, the first Inter-High School meeting was held in Johannesburg, and Jeppe won the cup and all the Junior events, but the next year failed to win a single event.  We won it a total of eight times, including the last time it was held in 1934.  King Edward VII won ten times and we shared it a further three times, while Pretoria won five times.

1907 saw the first recorded Inter-House Sports meeting between the then four houses.  The age-groups were Under 13, Under 15, and Open, and the events were the 100 yards, 220 yards (for the little boys!), 440 yards, mile, high and long jump and cricket ball throw.  In 1980 at the 72nd annual meeting, there were five age groups and 39 events.

Many fine athletes have passed through the School, including Schroeder who won five events in 1907;  Mellet, the first Victor Ludorum in 1909;  Beuthin;  C.W. Ranger, who was chiefly responsible for seeing that a track was laid out so that the sports could be held on our own fields for the first time in 1913;  and B.C. Ranger, who caused the hurdles rules to be changed by deliberately knocking down every one.

The early 1920's were dominated by the legendary L.B.B. (Toby) Betts who in 1923 ran for South Africa (in his school vest!) and set South African records in the 100 yards and 440 yards, and World records for a boy of his age.  He attended our sports for over sixty years and never saw anybody run faster than he did.  In the 1930's, D.A. Christos held seven or eight records at one time, and in 1980 still held three.

In 1945, a triangular meeting between Parktown, Potchefstroom and Jeppe was inaugurated.  Later King Edward VII replaced Potchefstroom, and this meeting has been held annually ever since. 

Boys who went on to national representation on the track include L.B.B. Betts (1922 - World Record Holder), Harold Bromberg (1960), T. Hart-Jones (1894), A. Johnstone (1921), M. Lane (1940), Warren McCann (1989), F. Rushton (1935), B.C. Ranger (1923), G. Stott (1929), Dave Sandler (1950), Ronnie Wilke (1952), Kenny Wyeth (1950), D. Morrison (1967), Ian Radus (1953 - Paraplegic Olympics 1976), Howard Payne (UK), Ian Bond (Rhodesia) and Clinton Hill (1996 Australia - Athens Olympics 2004)