Author: Jason Brogan

This will be our 15th year of staging the STARTRACK Athletic Sessions and they are getting more and more popular every year, with over 100 youngsters aged 7-15 years taking part. All the youngsters were from the local community and one of our best turn outs.

Each youngster on the scheme received a ‘Goodie Bag’ – a useful drawstring bag containing a T-Shirt & waterbottle.

All weeks will be held at Wythenshawe Park Athletic Track the HOME of Manchester Harriers & AC. Throwing disciplines included the Javelin, Shot Putt, Discus, Soft Hammer and the new Vortex Howler; jumping disciplines included the Triple Jump, Long Jump, Standing Long Jump and High Jump; track events included 60m, 75m, 80m, 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 600m, 800m and 1500m plus hurdles and mini-hurdles. Youngsters attending will get the chance to try all the events and most will see their performances improve during the sessions. Learning new skills, having fun on the way, make new friends and have a very positive experience of Athletics.

The weather for both weeks was amazing, very warm with blue skies virtually all both weeks, just a little rain on the last couple of days but timed it for lunch time. We are able to make every session fun and varied, covering all events including high jump, lots of chance to get outdoors. Over the weeks we encourage youngsters of varying ability and, hopefully, give every one of them encouragement to get involved in Athletics and perhaps, one day, we will see them competing for the Club and maybe the Country!!

One day of each week saw us on the track for the ‘Mile Challenge’. All the youngsters take part with the younger athletes completing the Mile in relays of four over 16 laps with a rest of 3 laps in every four and the older athletes completing the four laps in one go. All the youngsters really enjoy the challenge and each youngster gets a Manchester Athletic Network Medal on completion of the Challenge. For most of the youngsters this is a major achievement and will, hopefully, give them the incentive to carry on after the Startrack sessions have finished.

On the final day of each week, Friday, we run a mini competition and relays and everyone has a fantastic time. At the end of the session Jonny Stewart, Donnacha Maguire and Luke Oldfield gave out the Academy Awards to all the youngsters who attended the sessions to reward their effort and ability, this was their last year following university and now they have to look for full time careers. All 3 have been supporting the programme for over 10 years so a massive THANK YOU to all.

Every youngster taking part is encouraged to come along and join Manchester Harriers & AC. They are given information on our activities and where and when we meet. As a Club we hope to encourage more youngsters into the sport and help them achieve a healthier lifestyle.

The Club could not do this without our Coaches, Officials and Helpers all of whom are unpaid volunteers who give their time to help promote athletics within the Manchester and surrounding Boroughs.

Should you wish to VOLUNTEER to help us prosper and grow, which in turn enables us to encourage more youngsters to take part and keep fit and healthy, please get in touch (see details below) and we will contact you shortly. No experience necessary – just lots of ENTHUSIASM!!!!

Manchester Harriers & AC