King Malcolm III -

http://www.rampantscotland.com/famous/blfamcanmore.htm

Legend has it that Malcolm held athletic competitions, including a running race that ascended some nearby hills, to choose the swiftest and strongest in his army. Those men were chosen as messengers, to ferry messages around the country and among platoons in his army.

There's a bit of information, as well in this wikipedia entry...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fell_running

Everything I've seen refers to this inaugural event as being a running race. ......