In 1982 the ladies won the Barker Trophy. In 1983 Derek Stevens became the Club’s first international athlete. He ran a marvelous Marathon that year in America recording 2 hours 12 minutes 41 seconds, which still remains a Club  and County Record. In 1985 Derek won the inaugural Hastings Half Marathon, a feat which he repeated in 1986 in a time of 1 hour 6 minutes 6 seconds. From 1987 – 1990 the Club went through a difficult period, both financially and physically. Only a strong lead from the Chairman of the day kept the Club on the go. This period was not without its successes, but it did see teams sliding down the leagues. It is worth noting that through the last ten years of the Club’s history a poor athletics track was quoted as being the reason for much of the failure to succeed at the highest level of competition. In 1988 the Club founder, John Barker, was awarded the Elca Hiller Shield  for his contribution to Hastings AC, both on and off the track. This was a richly deserved award to a man who gave so many hours of hard work to the Club, which he did for many more years.   Club History <<< Prev Next >>>