Yorkshire Marathon & 10 Miler – Sunday 17th October 2021

Yorkshire Marathon & 10 Miler – Sunday 17th October 2021

The Yorkshire Marathon and the Yorkshire 10 Miler have quickly established themselves as highlights of the UK’s sporting year. Beginning at York University’s Heslington campus, these popular and picturesque runs head through the city centre to take in some of York’s historic sights before following scenic country lanes around surrounding towns and villages, and returning to the university site for a grandstand finish. Hambleton Athletics and Running Club (HARC) members Nick Wilson and Joanne Sinnott took on the huge challenge of the marathon, while Anna Bonner and Sara Sherwood took on the 10 mile challenge, the longest race in which either of them have competed. The event, part of the ‘Jane Tomlinson Run for All’ series, was extremely well-organised with masses of support from marshals, spectators and other runners the whole way around the two courses. All four of HARC’s runners successfully completed their challenges and were rewarded at the finish line with fantastic medals, t-shirts and goodie bags. In the marathon, Nick finished in 04:26:07 and Joanne’s time was 05:24:48. Anna crossed the line 01:56:51, closely followed by Sara with...
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Richmond Castle 10k

Richmond Castle 10k

The 2021 Richmond Castle 10k started and finished in the Batts Riverside Park area and was mainly on the roads. The route took the runners past the spectacular River Swale Waterfalls before crossing the river at Green Bridge and climbing Sleegill, offering a fine view of the castle. From there, the runners followed a short circuit around Catterick Garrison and returned into Richmond, where they circled Richmond Castle on Castle Walk before enjoying a fast downhill finish into Batts Park. Hambleton Athletics and Running Club (HARC) had three members take part in this event: Craig Keedy, Nick Wilson and Dave Oldacres. Craig completed the 10k in an impressive time of 00:39:41, coming in 6th overall and 2nd in his age category. Nick crossed the line in 00:53:47 placing him 23rd in his age category, and Dave finished in 01:04:02 (very nearly a PB!) coming 32nd in his age category. Craig said, “Richmond 10k, what can I say? Excuse my poetic injustice. This is a ‘must do’ event in my view! Three amigos from our fab club embarked on this fabulously brutally hilly course from the beautiful riverside area beneath the shadow of Richmond Castle. Moving swiftly on, which we did, the race went up and thankfully down several...
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2021 London Marathon

2021 London Marathon

On Sunday 3rd October Hambleton Athletics and Running Club (HARC) member Charlie Villers took on the 41st annual London Marathon that was postponed from April to Octoberto maximise the chances of a mass participation event. The marathon distance is officially 42.195 km (26.219 miles) and is run over a mainly flat course. The 2021 race was run on the traditional London Marathon course starting in Blackheath. At about 10km into the race, the runners reach the 19th century clipper Cutty Sark docked in Greenwich and at about half way into the race, the runners cross Tower Bridge before heading east into Canary Wharf. The runners then pass through Tower Hill and enter the underpass in Blackfriars and run along the Thames Embankment past Westminster and onto Birdcage Walk. The course then runs parallel to St James’s Park before turning onto The Mall and finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. Charlie was delighted to find the last available space for I CAN which is a children’s speech and language charity, to run in The London Marathon. This meant a huge amount to Charlie as he has a personal...
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<strong>North Yorks South Durham Cross Country – Acklam Hall</strong>

North Yorks South Durham Cross Country – Acklam Hall

The cross country season is finally upon us and Hambleton Athletics and Running Club (HARC) couldn’t wait to get stuck in to their first ever competitive league, joining the North Yorkshire and South Durham Harrier League which caters for all ages from 8 to 80+. Individual and team points are awarded at each fixture and awards are made to the top teams and individuals at the end of the season. The weather was kind for the first meet at Acklam Grange School in Middlesbrough – not much mud to be seen but the course was tough and undulating. A number of runners couldn’t quite believe they were running a cross country raceat a school, having spent years avoiding them during their own school days. HARC had seven members taking part in a number ofcategories which covered different distances: Elsa Styles​Women U17​31:39 (6th in category) Ruth Hancock​Women V50​37:01 (15th in category) Hugh Jenyns​Men V70​37:44 (8th in category) Diego Segura​Men Senior​41:04 (13th in category) Craig Keedy​Men V50​41:05 (4th in category) Phill Heward​Men V45​51:01 (27th in category) Dave Oldacres​Men V45​1:03:15 (32nd in category) Dave Oldacres said, “I took part in my first cross countryseries race. It was quite a competitive event and I was one of the...
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Loch Ness Marathon

Loch Ness Marathon

Alasdair McWilliam, a member of Hambleton Athletics and Running Club, recently took the long road trip (via a whisky distillery or two) to take part in the Loch Ness Marathon, which he completed fortified with a double homemade cheeseburger, loaded fries and a thick vanilla milkshake from Inverness’s trip-advisor-topping burger bar “Coyotes”! Saturday (supposedly a relaxing day before race day), started with the obligatory highland breakfast in readiness for the Torvean Parkrun. Parkruns in Scotland start 30 mins later – so there was time for a “wee” lie-in! There were international visitors there wearing vests from places as far afield as South Africa. Saturday afternoon was spent picking up race numbers at the Expo, and Alasdair accidentally buying a new pair of Hoka shoes. He said, “Well, with the 15% discount and a marathon to run the next day, it would be rude not to!” Sunday came soon enough and the athletes (all 2,500 of them) boarded a series of coaches at...
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Couch to 5k Graduation at Cod Beck

Couch to 5k Graduation at Cod Beck

Hambleton Athletics and Running Club celebrated the completion of their latest Couch to 5k programme at Cod Beck this weekend. The sun was shining on the group as they took on their graduation run of 5k on the paths around the reservoir, taking in the beautiful surroundings along the way. There was great support from the coaching team and other club members who ran alongside them and cheered them across the finishing line. The runners were awarded medals and certificates to mark this great achievement, followed by cakes and drinks all around! Zoe Sandell was among those celebrating the completion of the programme. She said, “What an amazing experience running with the C25K team and the wonderful coaches! It’s been such a pleasure seeing the same people thrice weekly and building a community of trust and support with new found friends for life. The coaches are really welcoming and helped guide us through each session so we came away feeling accomplished and spirited....
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Snape 5k & 10k Fun Run

Snape 5k & 10k Fun Run

Hambleton Athletics and Running Club (HARC) were out in force again last Saturday, taking part in the 5k and 10k fun runs starting and finishing in the village of Snape, just a few miles south of Bedale. The two multi-terrain routes were mainly over footpaths and fields around the village. The weather was glorious and the atmosphere was upbeat, with great support from the villagers and the marshals en route. All the runners were presented with medals once they crossed the finish line before heading up to the village hall where the Friends of Snape and Thornton Watlass Schools had put on a wonderful spread of sandwiches and lots of delicious cakes. Hugh Jenyns who ran the 10k said, “This was my first proper run since pre-Covid. Lovely route around the fields but a tough course in parts! I must learn not to grimace when being captured on camera! No gain without pain, but on reflection a lot of fun!” A huge thank you...
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Vale of York Half Marathon

Vale of York Half Marathon

On Sunday 12th September, Nick Wilson took on the fast, flat, PB-friendly Vale of York Half Marathon in aid of Sue Ryder. The 13.1 mile race started and finished just outside the village of Wistow on the scenic roads of south York and north Selby. Nick crossed the finish line in a brilliant time of 02:00:59. He said, “This was the second time I have run the Vale of York Half Marathon. A well-organised and friendly atmosphere with plenty of marshals, family members and friends cheering everyone on. If anyone fancies challenging themselves for a half marathon PB, this is the course to do!” A massive well done to Nick, who has made Team HARC very proud! ...
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Great North Run 2021

Great North Run 2021

Hambleton Athletics and Running Club were very proud to have seven runners taking part in the Great North Run at the weekend. This event was extra special, not only because last year’s run did not take place due to Covid, but also because this was the 40th birthday of the GNR. Celebrations included a spectacular flyover by the Red Arrows who left their trademark red, white and blue smoke trails along the 1km long finishing straight. The event has a reputation for attracting top athletes from around the world, and this year’s race was no different. Local runner, Marc Scott, who recently represented GB at the Tokyo Olympics, won the elite men’s race and fellow GB Olympian Eilish McColgan came second in the elite women’s category. Meanwhile, GB Paralympian Jade Hall stormed to victory in the wheelchair event. Team HARC, although not represented in the elite class (yet!), did themselves and the club extremely proud. Our members finished with the following times: Katy Bamber...
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🏅 HARC’s Big Weekend! 🏅

🏅 HARC’s Big Weekend! 🏅

Wow, last weekend was an incredible one for Hambleton Athletics and Running Club members! From trail runs in the Lake District, to races around a country house beside the River Ure and a tough half marathon in Leeds. It certainly has been busy, with some amazing efforts and achievements. It all kicked off on Saturday with HARC members travelling to Keswick to tackle the Lakeland Trails Derwentwater events. The trail challenges took in the panoramic views of Derwentwater, the peaks of Skiddaw and Blencathra, and the northern fells. The family-friendly festival atmosphere was amazing with live music and race commentary. Four of the group embarked on the 10k run – Dave Oldacres, Chris Lees and Gemma Wardle spent the morning chasing Polly Oldacres around the tough but beautiful course. Polly delivered an incredible time of 01:14:00 as she completed her second ever 10k run. She said, “Having never run in an organised trail race before I can’t hesitate to now say… sign...
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