After a super summer last year, Vale of York Athletic Community finished the season top of Division Two of the West Yorkshire Track and Field League. Now, as we step up to the top division, we face our toughest challenge yet – and we need you to help us stay there!
Author Archives: Ian Martin
News
Looking Ahead to a Healthier, More Active Selby: The Planning Decision on Vale of York’s Track and Field Facility
20
Feb
Feb
We stand at a crucial moment for the future of health, wellbeing, and community spirit in Selby. On Wednesday, 12th March 2025, the Selby and Ainsty Planning Committee will make a decision on our application to build a dedicated athletics facility at Land Off Friars Meadow. As we approach this decision, we want to reiterate the profound and lasting positive impact this project will have on our community.
10
Feb
Feb
Looking to boost your fitness and meet like-minded people in Selby, without the pressure of a traditional club? Vale of York Athletic Community offers a welcoming space for adults of all abilities to stay active, build connections, and achieve their personal fitness goals right here in Selby.
19
Jan
Jan
There was no monkey business from Vale of York Athletic Community at today’s Brass Monkey Half Marathon with several athletes achieving impressive times on a bitterly cold morning in York.
18
Jan
Jan
I ran the Symonds Run in memory of Hugh Symonds today at Sedbergh School. Hugh Symonds didn’t just introduce me to running; he showed me what it was to be a coach and a decent human being.
07
Jan
Jan
Beginnings are easy. It’s middles that are hard.
Take your typical New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, get fitter and run faster in 2025. Setting goals like these, with the energy and excitement of a New Year promising a new you, is a piece of cake. But how are you getting on now, one week in, as we approach the middle of the month?
30
Dec
Dec
The annual ballot for the club’s coveted London Marathon place was held at the Christmas Party in Selby. There were six eager participants who had been unsuccessful in the public ballot in the hat, and Sam Robinson was pulled out to represent Vale of York on the biggest stage.
In case of injury, we draw a reserve, and for the second year running Neil Musgrove was selected and needs to be on hand with his club colours in case Sam is unable to participate.
Good luck to Sam on his training journey! Watch out for monthly newsletter updates from Sam as he follows a VDOT marathon plan.
18
Dec
Dec
We successfully reached the summits of Brayton Barff and Hambleton Hough tonight. And what a night it was! A massive thank you to Amelia for providing much-needed mince pies to go with our liquid refreshments for this year’s annual Winter Solstice Run. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the end of our Wednesday evening runs in 2024 while we take a Christmas break for a couple of weeks.
14
Dec
Dec
A fantastic morning of celebrations at Selby parkrun today as the event marked its 7th birthday! It was a day filled with personal triumphs, milestones, and the heartwarming return of a familiar face.
News
Running on Empty? Free Software Could Be a Game Changer for Your Athletics Club with Charitable Status
22
Nov
Nov
Like many community sports clubs, especially those with charitable status, Vale of York Athletic Community relies heavily on the dedicated efforts of our volunteers. Running a thriving and safe athletics club takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Handling memberships, organising training sessions and events, keeping our website updated and planning for our own permanent track and field facilities takes a lot of time and effort. All this work has to be done while keeping costs down so that we can be as accessible as possible to everyone in the Vale of York.
On a recent club visit, in his role as England Athletics Regional chair for Yorkshire and Humberside, our founder, Ian Martin, recently had a discussion with a fellow Club Chair about the range of free software and services to which UK charities are entitled. We wanted to share details of some of this software, and what it can be used for, specifically from the perspective of an athletics club like ours.