"Runs", a game or a sport?

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,

-- 
Elsa T. S. Vieira