Athletics: Harlow men slump to bottom of the Essex running league
Athletics / Wed 21st Aug 2024 at 09:40am
HARLOW’S dearth of quality male middle and long distance runners has been highlighted as they slumped to the bottom of the Essex Road Running table.
The Grand Prix table pits twenty of the running clubs across the county in distances ranging from five miles to the marathon.
The table perhaps shows that whilst the club has very healthy numbers, there is a lack of quality that may be exposed in a league position.
Whilst a number of clubs seem to attract runners that can do sub 32 mins 10k (Grade 3 AAA standard) as well as fun runners, Harlow Running Club seem to find it a struggle.
This was also underlined at the Essex Cross Country Championships when a club with hundreds of members could only muster on competitor.
We hope to have better news from the Ladies later in the week.
Shaun Whiter
2024-08-21 17:05:57
After reading this article I feel that the negative language used does not represent the true values and meanings of this amazing club. As a disabled runner the club has gone above and beyond making me feel welcome and at ease. And most notably the members taking an interest into running with a disability. The article published here should have flipped the negativity and focused more on the fact it has a large membership meaning fitter healthier people in the local area. these members are not paid athletes looking to hit the heights of the olympics but in fact get fit and socialise with like minded people. Well played to Harlow running club for being in a position to put forward members to run where lots of other towns do not.
LB
2024-08-21 18:08:37
What a very negative post 😡 There are a lot of members in the club that do not want to run in any such leagues, but continue to run as they struggle with mental health and lots that just run for fun!
Andrew Terrell
2024-08-21 18:19:40
Another quiet summer for the YourHarlow…news room…. ( click bate) theres not many story’s about so post a negative story about a local club that does so much for the local area which supports runners of all abilities from couch to 5K to Ultra running & triathlon.
Miguel Luque
2024-08-21 19:08:14
Dear Sirs Thank you for the article relating to Harlow Tri and Running club men’s performance standing to the Essex Running League. Though it’s can be seen as disappointing it's not by far discouraging . As you are aware , we are not an elitist club but a club that welcome all abilities. We want all those that attend or take part any of our run / Tri events to enjoy it and not feel pressured having to do it. I want the club to be and feel like is an outlet for everyone to choose what they want to do, whether it’s competitively or just for fun. For those who took competed on behalf of the club, they did brilliantly and we are all proud of them. They all ran fast at their own pace. Everyone is a winner and no matter who the member is, l look at all of them as an inspiration to me and no doubt to others , member or non member. Chair of HRTC.
Happy Runner
2024-08-21 19:42:32
Interesting that at the latest 5 mile Ingatestone Essex Champrionship race, THREE of the Harlow Running Club ladies won medals and trophies for their age groups, yet this isn’t mentioned at all. HRTC were also promoted from Division 3 to Division 2 in the Midweek League competition this summer (our men gave a blimin good performance with one winning his age category of a huge field). So if you do want a competitive club that does seem to be doing rather well, do give us a message! But if you also just want a plod and a chat with some lovely supportive runners, come along too!
Lauren Moore
2024-08-21 20:21:57
This is a shame to read from someone who holds Harlow Running & Tri Club very close to my heart, and a rather surprisingly biased negative article. No mention at all when it comes to the successes of the club or what it has achieved in running and in community. From one journalist to another, this is a very shoddy article. The whole point of a club such is this is that the doors are open and everyone is welcome to run no matter the ability.
Issy Scott
2024-08-21 20:42:23
What an odd article. The choice of wording makes you seem biased and that you have a personal dislike towards the club, rather than from a professional prospective. As a coach I’m not sure why you’ve used such negative language to put the members down for not being some elite high performing sportsman. If a club has plenty of members and is encouraging people to exercise in a welcoming and lovely environment isn’t that great? Given that more than 11 million adults in England aren’t even doing 30 minutes of total activity a week I’d think creating a non-judgemental club for people to be a part of is a key priority. But given you can’t accept anything less than elite performers, can you let us know when you win gold at the LA Olympics?
Anyone can be a Runner
2024-08-21 21:09:41
Despite owning around 50 or so running medals and having completed over 200 parkruns, it took me 10 years to pluck up the courage to join Harlow Running Club because I thought I ‘wasn’t good enough’. Since joining, I have found the club to be very supportive of all ages, genders and abilities and I have met some great new people who love running just like I do. I have represented the club, including at a cross country race and it was the taking part that counted, regardless of the position or time and everyone celebrates everybody’s success (whatever that means to them). I will continue to train with and represent the club despite not being very fast because we are not all Olympians but everyone is capable of running to some extent (the club welcomes runners with disabilities) and everyone deserves the right to join a club that embraces what the true heart of keeping fit in a social group is all about.
Sheila Reynolds
2024-08-22 13:39:02
A very negative report...I received much pleasure reading about the club throughout the season with their fun attics! Think of all the enjoyment this club brings and the difference it makes...keep it up boys and girls!
Cal West
2024-08-22 13:50:58
Harlow is blessed with a lot of local clubs and groups now, Park Run and Beyond, Innovation Multisport, Hercules Running & Tri Club and Harlow Athletics Club to name a few, so at least there is lots to choose from.
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