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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September Successes from Hambleton Athletics and Running Club

September Successes from Hambleton Athletics and Running Club

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...
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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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NYSD Cross Country – Relays in South Park Darlington

NYSD Cross Country – Relays in South Park Darlington

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...
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Askquith Trophy

Askquith Trophy

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’ ...
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Middlesbrough 10k – Sunday 7th November 2021

Middlesbrough 10k – Sunday 7th November 2021

Hambleton Athletics and Running Club (HARC) member Phill Howard took on the challenge of the mighty Middlesbrough 10k. Starting and finishing in the town centre, the course took him past local landmarks including Albert Park, the Dorman Museum, Teesside University, the Riverside Stadium and the Transporter Bridge. Phill absolutely smashed this 10k, setting himself a new PB and finishing the race in an amazing time of 00:46:21. He was rewarded with a t-shirt, medal and goodie bag. Phill said, “ The race started at 9:00am and the conditions were good – cool with a slight breeze. The course was fairly flat and there were lots of running clubs represented. I really enjoyed the run and it was great to get a 10K PB. The HARC training sessions are really helping with my fitness and stamina.” HARC are very proud and say a massive well done to Phill! ...
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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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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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