Mobilitate Vigemus (“strength through exercise”) is the proud motto of Durham City Harriers & Athletics Club. Established in 1907, we remain a friendly, welcoming athletics club located in the historic, university city of Durham, in North East England.
Our members (whose ages can range from 8 to 80+) take part in track & field athletics (including multi-events) as well as road, cross-country, trail, ultra and fell running. Many are also enthusiastic participants and volunteers in the parkrun community.
In recent years the club has operated with a membership of around 300 of which juniors account for approximately one third. Some of our athletes will finish high up in the field while others simply take part for social and fitness reasons. Whatever your motivations and personal goals there’s a place for you at Durham City Harriers.
Coached Training
While competition’s not the primary focus for everyone, we do our best to help members compete – even paying entry fees for certain events. Many of our members had no intention of competing but, after growing in confidence, decided to give it a go and found that they loved it!
Senior members can choose from four training groups – Beginners, Transition, Endurance & Performance. All are led by UK Athletics qualified, volunteer coaches. Members can stay in the same group or move up or down the progression ladder. Groups for junior members (8-17 years) follow a similar pattern though age is more influential in progression.
Our coaches aim to provide a structured plan of activity, up to one month in advance. They can also offer individual training schedules for athletes with their own particular goals. We offer are a range of middle and long distance options plus a specialist junior sprint group for athletes focusing on events up to 400 metres.
Internal Competition
As a change from normal training, and to help motivation, we organise informal, FREE TO ENTER events where you compete against club mates only.
Club Handicap
Typically, on the second Tuesday of the month, we offer an informal 5-kilometre time trial as a low-key competition and to give you an opportunity to assess your running progress. There’s a Summer and Winter series with a different course for each though of roughly the same length. Race results and details of individual, age-related, performances are published after each event.
Mackay Mile
Usually held in May, the club holds an annual track-based event for all members. The Mackay Mile is a one-mile race for senior athletes and students with separate U17, U15 and U11 races for juniors. There’s always a great atmosphere at this well-supported event which celebrates the extraordinary contribution to the club of Brian Mackay, Andy Billett and John Hampson.
Men-v-Women Handicap
This 4-mile race – usually held in June – is open to all senior groups. Starting and finishing near the Noisy Bridge at Maiden Castle, it follows footpaths around Durham’s riverbanks. Handicaps are calculated based on age and gender. Finishing positions are aggregated with the lowest total deciding the battle of the sexes! Always run in great spirit and camaraderie, it epitomises the bond we share at DCH.
DCH 1-Mile Race
This club race is held along the A167 cycle path, starting from the Duke of Wellington pub to the Cock-of-the-North roundabout. It provides a friendly context in which to make an intense effort that will test speed-endurance to the max.
Garlic & Bluebell 5K Trail Race
A 5-kilometre trail race starting and finishing on the rugby field at Maiden Castle. It’s usually held at the beginning of May when the woodland around Shincliffe Hall, through which the course passes, is carpeted with wild garlic and bluebells. This race is open to both seniors and juniors.
External Competition
The orange vests of Durham City Harriers have long been a familiar sight at events across the North of England and beyond. While competitive sport is at the core of what we do, we value equally, members whose personal goals might be different – so long as you’re ready to pull on the orange and wear it with pride!
Track & Field Athletics
Track and Field has been a growth area for us in recent years – a trend that we’d like to see continue. Consequently, we’ve invested in qualifying our coaches in a range of specialist skills (sprint, multi-event, middle distance etc) to better help our athletes improve.
We compete in several athletics leagues and encourage members (as well as parents of juniors) to volunteer and train for technical official roles. Not only does it support continuation of the events but also adds to the club’s points at each meeting.
Cross-Country
Durham City Harriers is a well respected name in the North Eastern Harrier League (NEHL), the local cross-country league for the region. Participation is open to ALL members and is a great way to meet club mates during the autumn and winter months. It’s CHEAP too, as the club covers ALL entry costs!
Road & Trail Races
Many, if not most, of our members independently enter races of all types. Some of these races will have been preselected for inclusion in the Club Championship and Grand Prix (GP) competitions. With so many events to choose from, competitions like the Championship and GP help ensure you’ll get to compete with club mates – and maybe win some silverware!
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