Autumn Awesome at Hambleton Athletics and Running Club

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,...
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Latest C25K Success

Latest C25K Success

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...
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Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon Boat Racing

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...
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Congratulations Craig Keedy!

Congratulations Craig Keedy!

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 ...
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Scarborough Dragon Boat challenge

Scarborough Dragon Boat challenge

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...
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HARC Takeover at Northallerton Parkrun 

HARC Takeover at Northallerton Parkrun 

Members of Hambleton Athletics and Running Club (HARC) led a volunteers’ takeover of Northallerton Parkrun on Saturday 23rd October, with all involved refusing to be put off by the cold and dull weather. Scores of runners turned out for the free 5km event held every week at the Hambleton Leisure Centre in Northallerton and impressed the 15-strong HARC team of volunteers who covered all the roles from marshals to race director, and barcode scanners to tail walkers too. It was great fun supporting all the runners taking on the three laps around the playing fields and paths behind the leisure centre.Volunteering gave the HARC team the opportunity to enjoy being outside, make new friends, have fun, learn new skills and be a valuable part of the local community. It also gaveclub members a chance to see what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ at a Parkrun event. There were also benefits for the runners with a club takeover– a whole running club can bring quite a collective cheer to a Saturday morning. And since there is nothing HARC members love better than supporting fellow runners, their cheers brought a lot of positive vibes. HARC members had a wonderful morning volunteering and can’t wait to do it again soon. If you are...
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NYSD Cross Country League – Foxrush

NYSD Cross Country League – Foxrush

HARC’s cross country team ventured out for the second time last weekend to take on the Foxrush course. The race involved two or three laps (dependent on the category entered) through woodlands and across two rather large ditches, which Hugh likened to Becher’s Brook without the water! This time, the group arrived looking very professional on the minibus (kindly lent to us by Dementia Forward), equipped with a tent (thank you, Hugh) and the new club flag. The team did HARC proud again with the following times: Diego Segura​Senior Men​35:45 (14th in category) Craig Keedy​Men V50​36:21 (4th in category) Phill Heward​Men V45​42:57 (27th in category) Ruth Hancock​Women V50​40:34 (17th in category) Hugh Jenyns​Men V70​44:41 (6th in category) Diego said, “It was a good, flat, fast race with perfect weather conditions. Training sessions are having a positive effect on us and we are getting faster and more competitive.” Fantastic efforts from our HARC representatives, not least of all getting the tent back in the bag afterwards. Well done, everyone! Thank you to Chris, Gemma, Kay and Harley for going along to support the team – the clapping and enthusiastic shouting really...
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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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🏅 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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