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The club was founded in 1977 largely due to the efforts of John Broadway and John Miller.
Its early days the club only had a handful of members all of whom were senior male runners. In fact
there were hardly enough members to complete a senior men’s team in the Hampshire Cross Country League!
From those humble beginnings the club rapidly expanded and by the mid 1980s the membership had increased to more
than 100. Notable achievements at that time included a national championship won by the 4 x 400 metre indoor women's relay team. The Gandy twins who formed part of the winning team also went on to compete at international
level.
It was during the early 1980s that initial efforts were made to construct a running track for Winchester and at one time it looked as though this would be at Abbotts Barton. Unfortunately the condition of the
land at Abbotts Barton proved unsuitable for an all weather track and the quest for a track in Winchester continues hopefully, and with gathering momentum.
The lack of a track has to some extent hampered the progress of
the club although as a result of the unrelenting efforts of many of members, they have progressed enormously.
Currently there are approximately 300 members including various county champions and many family members. The
club has now developed into a fully fledged athletics club catering for athletes of all abilities and in virtually all disciplines across the whole spectrum of athletics.
WINCHESTER & DISTRICT ATHLETICS CLUB - COMPETITION EVENTS
CROSS COUNTRY:
The club competes in the HAMPSHIRE CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE which has 5 events over the autumn /winter season.
Age groups are for u/13, u/15, u/17, u/20 girls and boys, also senior women, senior men and veterans.
The races are held on Saturdays.
The club also encourages runners to compete in the WESSEX LEAGUE
which is held on Sundays. The Wessex league has a fun run for younger athletes of up to 10 years age plus the same age categories as listed above for the Hampshire League. There are also CHAMPIONSHIP RACES at County,
Southern England and National levels.
TRACK & FIELD:
The club participates in several leagues that generally commence in April and end in September for all age groups.
McDonalds Boys and McDonalds Girls Leagues
:
There are FIVE events spread throughout the season in numerous different venues across the south, normally on Sundays, for young athletes in age groups of:
> under 13
> under 15
> under 17
The Wessex League
:
There are FOUR fixtures for young athletes during the summer, all of which happen on a Sunday. These are mixed meetings for boys and girls with a range of events in age groups of:
> under 13
> under 15
> under 17
The Southern Men’s League:
This league is for senior men (over 16). There are SIX fixtures throughout the summer, all of which happen on a Saturday at numerous different venues across the
country. All include a full range of events. WADAC currently support two teams;
Division 1 offers a very high level of competition for athletes and
Division 5 offers athletes an opportunity to tackle a wide range of events.
The Southern Women’s League:
This league is for senior women (over 16) and girls of 11-15. There are SIX fixtures throughout
the summer, all of which happen on a Saturday. All include a full range of events. WADAC currently support one team, in Division 4 west.
Track & Field Championships:
Any individual who is eligible to
participate in the County Championships can do so in their respective age category. There is also further competition at Southern and National level.
ROAD RACING:
The club competes in the
Hampshire Road Race League.
There are three teams for the men (A, B and C) and two teams for the women (A and B). there are fixtures throughout the year on Sundays. The club also competes in a number of unusual events. Relay teams are entered for the 'Southern 12 Stage' for men and the 'Southern 6 Stage' for women in April. Then in Autumn, there are relays for:
> under 13 boys and girls
> under 15 boys and girls
> under 17 boys and girls
> senior men
> senior women
> veterans
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