Category Archives: News

Flying the Pink and Blue: A Big Weekend of 5K Racing for Vale of York

It was another fantastic weekend of racing for Vale of York senior and masters athletes, with runners representing the club in pink and blue kit across multiple events. From Friday night’s EvenSplits 5K in York to parkrun on Saturday morning and the elite fields on Saturday afternoon at the Podium 5K in Leicester, our athletes showed up in force, supporting each other and putting in great performances.

A Safe Space to Speak: Empowering Young Athletes in Our Community

At Vale of York Athletic Community, the safety and well-being of our young members form the bedrock of everything we do. Our founder, Ian Martin, shared an inspiring message at an England Athletics safeguarding conference in York this morning.

“We are deeply committed to creating an environment where young athletes can flourish in a safe, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere,” Ian stated. “We want to be proactive in our athletics clubs and not only remove the barriers to safeguarding but also accentuate the positives that athletics and running can have on young people’s lives”.

Positive Step Forward for Vale of York’s Track and Field Project! Planning Committee Update

On Wednesday, 12th March 2025, our planning application was heard by the Selby and Ainsty Area Planning Committee. We were grateful for the opportunity to present our case and highlight the overwhelming support we have received from the community and key sporting bodies.

Excitingly, the planning committee has decided to defer the application with a view to approval.

While not an immediate approval, this decision is a positive step forward as it allows council officers to work on potential conditions for approval, specifically addressing those concerns raised during the meeting.

Looking Ahead to a Healthier, More Active Selby: The Planning Decision on Vale of York’s Track and Field Facility

Vale of York News and Coaching Resources

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.

Who Can Join Vale of York Athletic Community? Understanding Our Inclusive Ethos

Here at Vale of York Athletic Community, our mission is clear. We exist to “provide facilities for athletic activity in a friendly, safe environment for the benefit of children and adults in the Vale of York”.

We’re proud to be a local charity dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of our community through athletics, running and fitness. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate, regardless of their background or ability.

We often get asked about membership. As a sports club with charitable status, our guiding principle is to “encourage broad community participation in healthy sport and recreation”. This means that, in general, we aim to be as open and inclusive as possible.

Mince Pies and Twin Climbs: Winter Solstice Run 2024

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.