Kendal athletics club celebrates 75 years of local talent

To mark Kendal’s Amateur Athletic Club’s milestone birthday last month, a special celebration evening and fun balloon relay were.

The relay took place at The Queen Katherine School where the club have their club house and weekly training night. 

However, for the celebration club night all ages were invited to don the club green and red colours in vests or fancy dress to run the balloon relay organised by Kerry Davies.

A Strava route consisting of the number 75 marked out on the field was the setting for the friendly contest.

Members and supporters of the club celebrated its big anniversary (Image: Becky Willoughby)

The club started its journey in 1949 and is now Kendal’s largest athletics club registered with England Athletics.

Kendal athletes of all ages compete in cross country, track and field and road running competitions at local and national levels. 

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Kerry said: "The celebrations did not end there as athletes, coaches and friends of the club were invited to enjoy a social evening by Margaret Belk, the established chair of the club.

"As well as food from Cracking Spread organised by Becky Willoughby, the social secretary, attendees enjoyed browsing the scrapbooks of the club.

"These uncovered performances of former athletes, such as the fells teams of the 1970s, the hugely successful middle distance squad of the 1980s and 90s, and individual legends who have gained international honours over the years."

Alan Bell, the Vice President of Competition for World Masters’ athletes who rose to fame for disqualifying Usain Bolt from the 100m World Athletics Championship in 2011, served as the keynote speaker.

He finished by speaking warmly about the importance of the continuance of grassroots clubs like Kendal and the work of coaches and officials who give so 'much time and dedication to a sport that everyone loves and enjoys'.