Here’s what’s happening in our community and everything coming up!
TOP STORIES
– Chaos in Calverley
– Darragh and the Duke
– Junior Representation
– Profiles at parkrun
– Coaching Corner
– Monday Circuits
– Yorkshire Running Festival
– Christmas Party
CHAOS IN CALVERLEY
Vale of York trustee, Neil Musgrove, loves a hilly trail run and Leeds has more hills than Selby with some spectacular scenery to boot. Last month Neil took on the 7 mile Calverley Chaos organised by Great Owl Running.
The event really was chaos because the runners were set off in alternating directions according to their race number which provided an opportunity to say hello and well done to all the runners taking the opposite direction about half way round. After some decent climbs in the first half, the second was quite fast and Neil passed a few people in the last few miles to finish second in his direction and sixth overall.
A well earned beer from Kirkstall Brewery for all finishers ensured a nice end to the day.
DARRAGH AND THE DUKE
This year, junior member, Darragh Ryan, is completing his bronze level duke of Edinburgh award with the support of Vale of York Athletic Community.
The DofE award is comprised of four components; physical, skill, volunteering, and expedition. Vale of York will support Darragh with the physical aspect of his award.
Darragh’s main goal is training for and running Selby parkrun every single week for three months.
Darragh also has a goal of progressing his fitness so he can finish in sub 30 minutes. He started 6 weeks ago and has progressed from over 40 minutes to his personal best on the 19th October (in absolutely terrible weather – see picture) of 35 minutes 35 seconds.
He also volunteers weekly at the junior parkrun at Brayton Academy and will complete a series of volunteering opportunities, including marshalling, warm up lead, time keeper and eventually run director.
If you know of a junior athlete who would like to volunteer in any way then get in touch. Vale of York has helped several young athletes with Duke of Edinburgh awards, GCSE PE assessments and EA coaching qualifications. If your child is looking to develop their leadership skills and supercharge a CV then contact ian@valeofyork.org.
JUNIOR REPRESENTATION
We have a very long waiting list of junior athletes wanting to join our community. At the last count this was over 100. Although we have recently welcomed six new coaching assistants to the coaching team, until planning permission is granted and we start work on our own track and field facility we are severely limited in terms of athletic facilities that would allow us to admit more junior members.
We will need to prioritise juniors who have represented Vale of York on track, field, cross country or at parkrun this season for spaces at coached athletics sessions in 2025.
Sometimes kids can be nervous about competition –adults can be too– but PECO is the perfect introduction to the sport and suitable for all abilities. If you can run a junior parkrun or parkrun you can run PECO XC.
Our aims at PECO are simple: Get out there whatever the weather, have a ton of fun, and try our best to complete all five races in the series so we can win the merch that money cannot buy.
Hot chocolate and treats are standard for everyone in the Vale of York team and we have a growing junior cheerleading group led by Team Flower Power: Daisy, Rose, Amelia and Molly who are looking for new members to cheer their hearts out for the seniors.
So don’t delay – enter now below. See Ian, Beverley or Richard if you need further support.
We have a whopping 30+ juniors registered for PECO Cross Country and 15 seniors with just under a month to go until the first event at Temple Newsam. Keep the entries coming.
PROFILES AT PARKRUN
For those who don’t want to compete in a formal sense, we have been supporting junior parkrun and parkrun in Selby this summer to try and get as many young people enjoying running as possible.
It may be that you have been to parkrun but you have not shown up on our list. Steve Middup our membership secretary has created a handy guide below which will help you set your child’s group affiliation to Vale of York Athletic Community.
UPDATING CLUB PARKRUN PROFILE FOR DUMMIES – 3 easy steps
Each week you are sent your results by email.
1. In the email there is a Manage my profile box which you can click.
2. Then click on the Groups button
3. Type in Vale of York Athletic Community and click Join
Your profile should then be updated
COACHING CORNER
We welcomed six new coaching assistants to the coaching team last month. In this first of a new regular coaching column we introduce Harry, one of our youngest athletes on the coaching pathway.
Hi I’m Harry. I am a student currently studying A Level P.E, English Language and BTEC Human Biology at New College Pontefract. I have been involved in various sports from a very young age; football, cross country, park runs, kickboxing and track and field. I have competed regionally and nationally at English Schools Cross County Championship, Yorkshire County Track and Field Championship where I have won the bronze, gold and silver medal in 3 consecutive years in the triple jump.
I attended the first Vale of York Athletic Community Summer camp back in 2021 and I have never looked back. I enjoy all that athletics and running has to offer and will take part in most disciplines to which makes me a well rounded athlete. I enjoy long jump, 400m, 800m, triple jump, sprints, this year I have also competed in the high jump. I take part in competitive meetings and events and this year have been part of the team in the West Yorkshire Track and Field league.
The way I see athletics is not all about the winning but how I can achieve my personal best and working with the coaches on how I can improve. I enjoy the camaraderie in our club and how well we all work, encourage and support each other no matter what our age. I am a trained Funetics Leader and EA Coaching Assistant. Next year I would like to develop my coaching skill so I can share my knowledge and experience and help to develop our future athletes.
This year I have also been part of the team and taken part in the 10k York & District Road Race League improving my muscular endurance and aerobic capacity. I have also taken part in my first half marathon at the Great North Run where I ran for the M.E. Association. Next up for me is the Brass Monkey Half in January.
MONDAY CIRCUITS
From September, circuit training has been running on a Monday evening at Selby High School for both juniors and adults. It’s a great opportunity for training and is good fun too!
Circuit training is a full-body workout that builds muscle and strengthens bones while also keeping your heart rate up. During the session you move round to a number of exercises at short intervals whilst keeping moving. All ages and abilities are welcome.
“I have been attending since September as a complete beginner, previously I didn’t do any excercise at all. In just a few weeks the transformation of my fitness has been incredible. I have already met lots of new people and found the group really friendly. My son comes along too which is great that we can do an activity together. I love it and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their fitness.” –Marrieanne Pal
Well done to all those who participated in the Yorkshire Running Festival in York on 20th October.
Despite difficult weather conditions on the day several Vale of York participants sucessfully completed the marathon and 10 mile race.
Weronika Adamkiewicz, Paul Bennett, Alex Ford, James Gargett, Luke Haynes, Richard Johnson, Steve Middup, Neil Ryan and Jared Watt were amongst the finishers.
CHRISTMAS PARTY – SAVE THE DATE
Sports Shoes Discount
The SportsShoes code for November is W55E4OS2877. It will give you 15% off AW24* products (exclusions apply) and is valid until 01/12/24.
If you are an England Athletics affiliated member, you can now redeem 15% off AW24 products by linking your EA URN to your SportsShoes ULTRA account and the offer will be automatically applied at checkout.
Upcoming Team Events
10th November – WYXC #3 Middleton Park
17th November – PECO #1 Temple Newsam
6th December –
Save the date! – Xmas Do
Any questions or comments please send them through.
