A Brief History

Thirsk & Sowerby Harriers was formed in 1977 and for the first two years of it's existence the club comprised mainly of youngsters up to the age of 16, along with four senior runners, but this did not deter the club from hosting the Yorkshire cross country championships in those early years. .

In 1986 the club played host to the Northern Cross Country Championships held at Thirsk Racecourse, this was a big event for such a small club to put on, but the event went with flying colours, the winner of the senior men's race was Steve Cram.

The club has hosted the Yorkshire Championships just recently in 1998, this time it was held on the Flatts in Sowerby. Also hosted by the Club on four occasions has been the Yorkshire Vets Cross Country championships and on one occasion the Northern Veterans Cross Country championships

From small beginnings, the club is enjoying a very healthy membership of both Ladies and Men. A social as well as a full athletic calendar, on the Road, Fell and Cross Country has brought great enthusiasm and camaraderie within the Club.

The club organise the Thirsk 10mile and 5k Fun run which has been held each year since 1978 this is always held on the first Sunday after the Spring Bank Holiday. This race is now regarded as once of the class races in the North East of England and in the past has had runners of the class of Ray Smedley, Mike Mc cleod, Brendan Foster, Ian Gilmore and Mick Mc Cluskey. Mick Mc Clusky holds the record for the race of 48mins 43secs. Lady runners who have competed in the race are Veronic Marot, course record 55m.46secs and Julie Coleby Lady Vet 56m.19secs. For a number of years we have had the Olympic wheelchair gold medalist Tanni Gray-Thompson and her husband Ian Thompson compete in the race, their best performance is Ian 40m.07secs and Tanni 43m.19secs.

For a number of years the club has also hosted one of the North Yorkshire / South Durham cross country league races usually held during November and also one of the Harrogate Evening Road league races in Summer.

The present Chairman is Norman Smith, Secretary:- Mark Ludiman, Treasurer - Sarah Somers.