History
Wellington Harrier Athletic Club is one of the oldest harrier and sporting clubs in New Zealand. Founded in 1903, the first pack run set off from the Basin Reserve on the afternoon of Saturday 4 April, with a second and main opening run on the afternoon of Saturday 18 April.
In the early years most of the club’s activities revolved around a weekly pack run held each Saturday. The location of the start varied week to week between various church halls and private homes around the district, a practice that still continues today from our clubrooms located on Mt. Victoria in the heart of Wellington.
The first Wellington Harriers Cross Country Championship was held in 1905. The race was held over five miles at the local Island Bay Racecourse with eleven starters.
Wellington Harriers first came to prominence at the 1909 NZAAA National Cross Country held in Timaru finishing second in the club race behind Caversham. Since then Wellington Harriers has become widely recognised both Nationally and Locally as being one of New Zealand’s most successful harrier clubs.
In 1984, Wellington Harriers Senior Men secured their first of two National Road Relay titles during the decade. A decade which included a host of National medals and New Zealand Representative’s such as the house hold names of Froude, McCallum and Drake.
The 1990’s saw the rise of Wellington Harrier’s as a stable for producing some of New Zealand’s best female athletes.
In particluar Barbara Moore (Bronze 1990 CWG 10,000m), Hare, O’Rourke and Humphries leading the charge. On the 22nd March 1997 it was unanimously agreed that Wellington Harriers would merge with the local Wellington Track and Field Club (WTFC) to form Wellington Harrier Athletic Club (WHAC).
Since the formation of WHAC the club’s involvement in he track and field scene has continued to grow, to the point where we may now be considered the premier track and field club in the region, among the top T&F clubs in the country.
WHAC has also developed a strong Children’s athletic’s programme which usually sees over 100 children at club days
In 2003, WHAC celebrated 100 years of running and is proud to be one of New Zealand’s longest standing Harrier and Athletic Clubs. The club continues to grow with around three hundred members from children through to masters.
Harriers
The Harrier Section operates during the winter months from the end of March through to October with cross country running, road running, relays, mountain running, and walking.
It is an ideal time to become involved with our sport with like minded people, and we offer options for recreational fitness activity, or testing your fitness levels in club or interclub competition.
We operate from our Clubrooms at 1.30pm every Saturday throughout the winter season.
As a new or prospective member, you are most welcome to experience the activities without any obligation. These will consist of “Group Runs / Walks”, where groups are formed with similar abilities or fitness levels.
Distances will vary and will be lead by a Pack Leader to ensure nobody gets left behind. It is a good way to meet members and find your current level of fitness with others. Members are encouraged to take part in low key club races, as an opportunity to test themselves and maybe progress at a later stage to Inter-club racing.
Annual Fee
The annual fee structure varies depending upon your activity requirements, from a nominal fee for Recreational Members, to a fee inclusive of membership of Athletics New Zealand for Active Members who wish to participate in Inter-club, cross country, road and other affiliated races. You will not need to make this decision until you have experienced several weeks with us and decided on your own ambitions.
Current fees and how to join can be viewed on this website.
More information
When you arrive at the clubrooms just ask for Paul Hewitson (Harrier Manager), or the female or male Harrier Captains Esther George and Nathan Tse, who will make you welcome and explain what the club does.
Track & Field
The Track and Field section operates primarily through the summer months October until April.
The Club consists of a wide range of athletes from beginners through to Regional and National level.
WHAC caters for athletes across all disciplines including Sprints, Throws, Jumps, Walks and of course distance events. T
raining and competition is undertaken at Newtown Park’s All-Weather Track and Field Facilities. WHAC athletes are invited to compete at weekly interclub events which take place each Saturday at Newtown Park.
We invite anyone interested in experiencing and discovering what WHAC has to offer. Please contact our Track and Field Manager for further details.
More information
For further details including the Wellington Centre Programme please check out Athletics Wellington’s Website