Hambleton Athletics & Running Club

Kneeling Arms

24th May 202524th May 2025 By Chris LeesNo Comments

This drill trains arm drive mechanics in isolation, improves running form, and strengthens core engagement by removing lower-body movement. It’s also great for practicing proper arm swing without distractions. (more…)...

Fast-feet

24th May 202524th May 2025 By Chris LeesNo Comments

This drill improves agility, coordination, speed, and cardiovascular endurance. It also activates the hip flexors, glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves. (more…)...

Calf Raise

24th May 202524th May 2025 By Chris LeesNo Comments

This exercise targets the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the calves, helping build strength and endurance in the lower legs. (more…)...

Butt-kicks

23rd May 202524th May 2025 By Chris LeesNo Comments

Runners' butt-kicks are a dynamic warm-up or running drill used to improve running mechanics, increase hamstring flexibility, and activate the posterior chain. Unlike the "butt-kicks" used in football (which involve keeping the knees low and 'kicking' the top of the glute), runners' butt-kicks focus more on replicating proper running form and cadence. (more…)...

B-skips

20th May 202524th May 2025 By Chris LeesNo Comments

B-Skips enhance hamstring recruitment, teach active leg recovery and proper foot strike, reinforce proper hip flexion and extension mechanics, and promote ground force awareness and rhythm. (more…)...

A-skips

20th May 202524th May 2025 By Chris LeesNo Comments

A-Skips enhance neuromuscular coordination, improve running form and efficiency, strengthen hip flexors, promote proper knee lift, and reinforce active foot placement and quick ground contact. (more…)...

HARC does Taskmaster Season Two

16th May 202516th May 2025 By Gemma WardleNo Comments

Season Two of ‘HARC does Taskmaster’ culminated in the live finale last month. Five of our bravest HARC members faced a series of hilarious tasks set out by our Taskmaster (Head Coach, Chris Lees) and his long-suffering assistant, Little Katy “Bamber” Foster. This year, the contestants had to put their artistic skills to the test via Strava, with some very questionable results and estimate the Taskmaster’s height… in beans, with some even more questionable results! Emma Haresign will never hear the last of the characters in her backwards video… beep, boop, boo, bop! Erin Marley made a rod for her own back, bringing a homemade HARC scarf for the prize task… now everybody wants one so watch out in the club shop for details of how to order! 😜 Kate Stead’s spud and skewer tower in the grand finale was truly impressive and won by, well, several centimetres. Nick Wilson’s (unbelievably successful!) attempt to mime ‘duck-billed platypus’ will stay with us all for a very...

Blazing through London Marathon 2025

13th May 202513th May 2025 By Gemma WardleNo Comments

London Marathon 2025 was the event’s 45th birthday. And a record-breaking one at that. The number of runners topped 56,000 and there were about 800,000 supporters lining the route to cheer them on. Our club place this year went to Sara Sherwood, selected by the infamous spinner of marathon destiny at our Awards Night. Sara couldn’t wait to get going with her training and started in plenty of time to allow for any hiccups along the way. Although she described the training as tough, she stuck to her plan and by race day was fully-prepared for her first ever marathon. Sara was joined at the start line (or in a nearby pen at least!) by fellow HARC members Richard Slade, Nick Wilson and Dan Farrington. Sara said, “The sun blazed overhead as I stood at the start line, surrounded by thousands, yet lost in my own storm of nerves and hope. Six months of relentless training, early mornings, sleepless nights – all...

Oh What a Night!

1st October 202414th January 2025 By Ruth HancockNo Comments

Another fabulous year culminated in an entertaining Awards Night at The Governor’s House, Northallerton, on Saturday. Members were treated to an inspirational talk from Matty Hynes, before he presented the winners with their well-earned trophies. Matty was British champion over 10k, represented Great Britain at the European and World Championships and finished 15th in the 2015 London Marathon, and his tales gave members plenty of food for thought. HARC’s awards are given in line with the club’s principles: ‘Caring & Supporting’; ‘Coaching-led’; ‘For Everyone’; and ‘Enjoying Our Sport’.On the receiving end this year were: Sinton-Hewitt Trophy for participation and volunteering at parkrun... Winner - Sam Scarlett; Runner-up - Graham Finlay Volunteer of the Year for outstanding contribution to progress the club’s aims... Winner - Nick Wilson; Runner-up - Michelle Slade The Rock Trophy recognises members’ commitment in their attendance at club sessions... Winner - Sara Sherwood; Runner-up - Carolyn Keeble Mighty Oak Trophy for improvement from last year to this... Winner - Sara Sherwood; Runner-up - Mary Gregory Captain Cook...

HARC C25K Graduation at Fabulous Fountains Abbey

30th September 202430th September 2024 By Sara SherwoodNo Comments

Report by Ruth Hancock Another Couch25K programme, another graduation, and what better place to hold it than at Fountains Abbey which was named most scenic parkrun in the UK in the new book ‘The Ultimate Guide to Parkrun’. Hambleton Athletics and Running Club are proud to have another gaggle of newbie and returning runners swelling their burgeoning ranks, and lots of current members turned out to support and encourage them around the stunning 2 lap course. After the recent rain for their practice runs, athletes were blessed with a fine, dry start, and the sun eventually made a welcome appearance. Mike Hollinshead, one of the leaders of the course, had this to say: “It was fantastic to see so many club members turning out to support the graduation of the latest C25K cohort. It really does lift their spirits, and shows what HARC stands for!” Head coach, Chris Lees, found himself as a participant on the course this time round, using it as a...