Sedgefield Harriers came about in September 2005 when local
runner Ean Parsons put and ad in Sedgefield News for anyone
interested in starting a running group.
Seven runners turned up at the gates of Sedgefield Cricket Club and
at the end of the month on 28th September the club was formed at a
first meeting in the Nags Head at which eleven
people attended.
In the Autumn of 2005 the newly formed committee discussed what
colours the club vest should be and the suggestion by Rosie Warnett
(nee Simms) of a blue hoop on a white background was adopted.
The club sought affiliation with UK Athletics and this
was confirmed in April 2006.
In spring 2006 coach Scott Hydon, started a junior section of
the club and by the end of that year there were 24 juniors and 40
seniors and Ean Parsons qualified as a coach to help out with the
juniors. Scott was recognised as Coach of the Year by County
Durham Sport.
After a few weeks meeting at the gates of Sedgefield Cricket
Club the club decided to base itself at Sedgefield Community
College because the College is a specialist sports college and
because of the facilities available.
The club grew year on year and the senior numbers grew steadily
but the junior numbers grew dramatically, largely because of
coaching in local schools by newly qualified - and now award
winning - junior coach Marie Walker.
The growth of the club was so dramatic that by 2008 Ean
Parsons, now Chair realised that more help was needed even though
the coaching staff had also grown. A ground breaking
volunteer recruitment initiative brought more volunteers and
coaches to the club and enabled the growth to continue.
From the start the club was keen to host events and a programme
of races began including The Sedgefield Serpentine Trail Race, The
Neptune Relays and the Gerry Kearsley Winter and Summer
Handicaps.
By 2011 there were 70 seniors and over 100 juniors and the
development work of the club was being recognised by England
Athletics.
The main club night has always been Wednesday when there are
comprehensive coached sessions for seniors and juniors. In
addition there are coacj led sessions on Monday's and Friday's and
a group meeting to run on Sunday mornings. In 2011 strength
and onditioning sessions for seniors and juniors were introduced on
Monday evenings.
Scocially the club hosts a summer BBQ and an annual dinner in
the autumn when club awards are presented. Recent speakers at
the annual dinner have included Commonwealth Ultra Marathon Gold
Medalist Sharon Gayter, European Indoor 3000m Gold medalist John
Mayock and Olympic Marathon Bronze medalist and London Marathon
winner Charlie Spedding.
In September 2011 the club was recognised as England Athletics
North East Development Club of the Year and Marie Walker was
recognised as NE Development Coach of the Year. At the
England Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner in Birmingham in Octber 2011
the Club was awarded England Athletics National Development Club of
the Year and then went on to represent England at the UK Athletics
awards. Unbelievably, only six years after forming Sedgefield
Harriers became UK Athletics Club of the Year.
[to be continued]