Sara Sherwood, Author at Hambleton Athletics and Running Club

Autumn Awesome at Hambleton Athletics and Running Club

4th December 20224th December 2022 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

There has been much to celebrate this autumn, with club members taking part in a huge array of races and events. Whilst we put enjoyment at the heart of what we do, often with the mantra “no such thing as too slow”, we also recognise the importance of celebrating the achievements of those who enjoy challenging themselves to go “faster, higher, stronger”. To that end, here are some particularly noteworthy performances for which huge congratulations are extended: Harvey Wilkinson is going from strength to strength, winning the U17 shotput in the Gateshead Indoor Series, having just moved up an age category – outstanding achievement! Joanne Sinnott tackled the Tadcaster 10 Mile and the Yorkshire Marathon, achieved course Personal Bests for both – fantastic! Craig Keedy came 10th overall at the Dalby Dash and finished in 2nd place at the Bridlington Half Marathon. Not satisfied with silver though, he absolutely stormed the course at the Gunpowder Plot 10k and took home the overall winner’s trophy – what a start to the season! Michael Hollinshead smashed his previous course PB at Arrachar 10k, knocking an incredible 7 minutes off his previous time,...

September Successes from Hambleton Athletics and Running Club

3rd October 20223rd October 2022 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

HUGE congratulations must firstly go to HARC’s junior shot putter, Harvey Wilkinson, who came first in the John Newsome Memorial Open Meeting in Wakefield on 17th September. He threw a brilliant 11.58m, beating the second place athlete by over a whopping two metres, and the distance was almost double that of his next nearest rival! The event was organised by Wakefield District Harriers and Athletics Club and offered a full array of track and field events from U11 to seniors and vets. Harvey was competing with a shot putt weighing in at 4 kilos in the U15 category, and with a throw like that he undoubtedly has a long and illustrious career ahead of him. Snape 10K and 5K ‘Fun Run’ saw a swathe of HARC runners competing this year. Notable performances came from Graham Finlay, who was first in his age category over the 5K distance, and Craig Keedy continues his success with 4th place overall in the 10K. Great efforts from all...

Hambleton Athletics and Running Club Awards Presentation Evening 2022

17th September 202217th September 2022 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

Friday 9th September saw the very first Presentation Evening for HARC members, this year held at Tom & Nellie’s in Bedale. Gemma Wardle, the Club’s Chair, began the evening with a moving, heart-felt welcome speech. Much laughter and camaraderie followed, as between courses members of the Awards Sub-committee took the opportunity to introduce the awards that would be available for presentation at the end of the forthcoming season, which runs annually from the beginning of September. Members are to be recognised for their achievements based on the club’s founding principles which set out the values and ethos of their members: Caring & Supporting; Coaching-Led; For Everyone; and Enjoying Our Sport. Full details of the criteria used to determine each award can be found on HARC’s website. In future, awards will be presented for the following: ‘Volunteer of the Year’; ‘Mighty Oak’ (for improvement); ‘Greatest of the Year’ (performance awards); ‘The Sinton-Hewitt Trophy’ (based on participation at Parkrun); ‘The Captain Cook Cup’ for...

Latest C25K Success

2nd August 20222nd August 2022 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

Hambleton Athletics and Running Club’s most recent Couch to 5K programme finished with a superb graduation run set in the stunning grounds of Fountains Abbey on 23 July, at the weekly Parkrun held there. The culmination of the ten week programme offered the newly-fledged runners the chance to run a continuous 5K with the support and encouragement of a number of club members, alongside coaches Alice Inglis and Gemma Wardle - all under the watchful eye of Head Coach, Chris Lees. It was certainly a beautiful morning for it and emotion ran high as a dozen graduates crossed the finishing line, especially so for those who were first-time runners. Chris Williams explained that HARC’s programme had not only turned a complete non-runner into a runner, but also into a person “that actually enjoys it now!” High praise indeed. Chris went on to say “If you are toying with the idea of starting or restarting running for fitness and fun, do it with HARC. You...

Dragon Boat Racing

19th June 202219th June 2022 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

Team HARC has been out fundraising again. Not running this time – but Dragon Boat Racing! Paddlers headed over to North Yorkshire Water Park last weekend to pit themselves against 24 other teams in an exciting challenge orgainsed by the Rotary Club of Scarborough Cavaliers. Ditching the usual HARC blue running kit for the green and gold of Dementia Forward, the intrepid dragon boaters have managed to raise a fantastic £1,148 so far. Chair Gemma Wardle congratulated everyone involved saying “HARC members, friends of the club, and Dementia Forward volunteers worked so well together to support a great cause. We had a brilliant day of paddling and laughter.” Winning the first heat, Boat 23 continued to better their times across the challenge – no doubt buoyed by the theme tune of Hawaii Five-O - but unfortunately just missed out on a place in the grand finale. Losing didn’t matter, though, at such a friendly, well-organised and safe event, and it is testament...

Congratulations Head Coach

16th June 202219th June 2022 By Sara Sherwood1 Comment

Hearty congratulations to Chris Lees who has now received the final jigsaw piece in a much longer than expected journey to his Athletics Coach license (the 'small' matter of a global pandemic may have delayed things for a time). Still specialist in Endurance, Chris has added Athletics Coach/Throws to his coaching qualifications. Chris says "Massive thanks to Glen Hilton for his support and help throughout, and to the athletes at Hambleton Athletics & Running Club and Allerton Junior Athletics Club without whose help I literally couldn’t have done this." ...

Congratulations Craig Keedy!

7th June 20227th June 2022 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

Sunday 29th May saw the long-awaited return of the Northallerton 10K – a mainly uphill, local race that was well-supported by HARC members with plenty of PBs and personal goals being met. Special mention must go to Craig Keedy, who secured first place for his age category in a time of 37:56. It would seem he’s making a bit of a habit of this now, with it following his 1st in age category at Wakefield 10K on 20th March – another ‘undulating’ course, and again in Bridlington at the 5 Mile Dash in April. Congratulations Craig! Very well deserved recognition for your commitment and resilience in training ...

Scarborough Dragon Boat challenge

6th June 20226th June 2022 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

HARC are very proud to be raising money for Dementia Forward at this year's Scarborough Dragon Boat Challenge on Sunday 12th June. It I’m sure many of us have been affected by dementia - it is a very challenging set of diseases (including Alzheimer’s) that can be distressing for the person with dementia and those family and friends around them - caring for and supporting them. Dementia Forward is the only charity commissioned to support people affected by dementia in North Yorkshire. It relies on donations for half of its resources to provide amazing and innovative support, including pioneering work to support those affected by young onset dementia. We would like to say a big thank you to River Mountain Experience and the brilliant David Adams for the training he gave some of our team, as well as the Rotary Club of Scarborough Cavaliers for the generosity and organization of the event. Please help us raise as much as possible for this great cause...

NYSD Cross Country – Relays in South Park Darlington

7th April 20227th April 2022 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

Last Sunday saw the grand finale of the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cross Country League, and HARC fielded both a men’s and women’s team for the Road Race Relays. Following the Parkrun route at Darlington’s South Park, each runner completed 2 laps in a team of 3 and 4 respectively. On a baking hot day – for March – there were no complaints about the mud, rain, hail or snow this time! But running in unseasonal heat did present its own challenges and what would cross country be if there wasn’t the weather to moan about…Thankfully, all those who ran were able to smash their own personal goals for the race and some achieved PB or season best times to boot. Team Manager Chris Lees was delighted with everyone’s efforts, commenting how proud he was and that he couldn’t wait for next season. “It was also brilliant to have so much support from HARC too,” he added. From a...

Askquith Trophy

5th April 20225th April 2022 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

It will come as no surprise to our members that our illustrious Head Coach, Chris Lees, has been honoured for his volunteering again! In addition to the Queen’s Award for Volunteering Service awarded to Dementia Forward, and England Athletics’ recognition for Innovation in Athletics and Running At Home, Chris has now picked up the Askquith Trophy at Bedale Sports and Community Club where he is a trustee. This is presented for greatest service to the club and was in recognition for his help and guidance during the pandemic. Congratulations Chris! We’re delighted for you and so pleased you are ‘one of our own’ ...