Hillingdon Athletic Club
What is Hillingdon Athletic ?
We are very lucky to have Hillingdon’s athletic club based here in Ruislip.
Ninety percent of any athletics activity that takes place in Hillingdon is
happening at this club.
History
Hillingdon Athletic started in 1966 but it dates back much further as it was
formed from the amalgamation of Finchley Harriers and the Ruislip and Northwood
A.C. and Uxbridge Ladies club. The club is proud of its past members, who
include David Hemery who got the Olympic Gold and the world record for 400m
hurdles at the 1968 Mexican Olympics.
What happens at the Ruislip HQ ?
The headquarters of the club is in Bury Street, Ruislip. Training from here
encompasses endurance running and sprinting for younger members. Most of the
running is in the woods or on the roads, distances varying from three to thirty
miles. The club also use the track at Kings College playing fields. This track
is a quarter of a mile; being an imperial measure it can only be used for
training, not competition. For track events and other athletic events e.g.
javelin, the club use Hayes Stadium and the Ealing track at Perivale.
Although the club HQ looks tiny from the
outside it is surprisingly big. Inside there are two curtained changing rooms,
which can be removed to use the whole space for functions. The club house is a
non-smoking environment, there is a pool table, heavily laden trophy cabinet and
a very friendly bar.
Training happens every Tuesday and Thursday
evening at 6pm, Saturday 2pm and Sunday 10 am.
Do you have to be really fit to join ?
The club really does manage to cater for all levels of ability. When you
start you will be put in to a group according to your previous experience. If
you have none, this is fine you can join a group that does about three to four
miles round the woods and returns for a cup of tea. If you are happy with that,
then fine. But you may want to progress to another group. At the other end of
the scale, some of the club members are international level.
Children can join from age eleven. This is the
minimum age at which they can compete. An averagely fit child can take part and
the club stress that training must not be overdone for kids. Some adults have
brought their children along and having seen what happens at the club, have
become members themselves. There are veteran groups too.
The club are happy to have people from other
sports for example footballers who want to train in the summer.
What Events Are there ?
There are two annual high class road races that start from the club; the
‘Hillingdon Five’ and the ‘Finchley Twenty’. There are cross country races
through the winter in Ruislip Woods. The club compete in the Hillingdon Half
Marathon and in the London Marathon.
What do I do if I want to join ?
If you want to know more, look at the club's excellent web site
www.hillingdonac.co.uk or just turn
up at the club when one of the training sessions is taking place. I can assure
you that they are very welcoming.
Thanks
This article was written by Sue Seagroatt with the help of Phil Welch the
club secretary. Thank you very much for finding the time to show me the club.