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