Athletes run 100km to help revamp stadium

A group of young aspiring athletes will take on a running challenge to raise money for a stadium with "rundown" facilities.

Notts Athletics Club said its home, Harvey Hadden Stadium in Bilborough, had fallen into disrepair and was in need of investment.

Concerned about the state of the facilities, friends Lucy Sanderson and Sophia Weston, both 14, organised a long-distance relay, hoping to run at least 62 miles (100km) collectively.

Nottingham City Council, which is responsible for maintaining the site, previously said it was looking for "viable funding options" for renovations.

On Saturday, a group of endurance runners at the club will collectively run the distance as part of the event, called the Sanwest 100 - the organisers' surnames put together.

They have already surpassed their initial target of £1,000, saying they would like to see as "many athletes taking part as possible".

The stadium was built in the 1950s with money left in a trust by Harvey Hadden, a textile merchant and philanthropist in Nottingham.

A High Court order created the Harvey Hadden Stadium Trust, making the city council the sole trustee.

Under the order, the council is responsible for keeping the stadium in good order.

Weston said the track was old, had "loads of holes", and needed replacing.

"You walk in and the facilities are just very rundown," she added.

"The flood lights aren't working, and the ones that do work, you can't reach the switch for because the stands where the switch is have been closed down."

The 14-year-old said she believed training in the winter when the days are shorter would become difficult or impossible.

She said she has been running at the club for two years, and others have been running for even longer.

"We all hope that we can still run there," Weston said. "We're quite a good team now."

Sanderson joined the club after discovering her passion for running during school sports days.

"It's made me realise that staying fit and healthy is really a priority," she said.

Sanderson has been attending training sessions at the club for two years, alongside dozens of other young athletes.

She added: "So many kids go there to try and get better, to stay healthy, stay fit, make friends, bond with their coaches.

"It saves the kids from going out on the streets."

Notts AC chairman Mick Robinson said he was "positive" there was a will to move forward with improvements following a meeting with city councillors in July.

However, he said funding was the "key issue".

Robinson said the club, which is run by volunteers, was organising fundraisers to pay for the maintenance of the stadium and thought it was "brilliant" young athletes had stepped in to help.

"There are hundreds of kids who get out there for training and all the man-hours that go into running this club - that's got to be worth something," he said.

Notts AC previously said it spent about £80,000 per year on facility hire and had about 350 members.

The stadium and track are also used by the athletics clubs at Nottingham's universities.

In a statement to the BBC in July, David Mellen, executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: "Some elements of the facility are now simply old and, as would be expected over time, have naturally reached the point where replacement is needed.

"We have been working for some time to identify an appropriate programme of works alongside viable funding options, and we plan to provide an update later this year.

"While we recognise the concerns raised, officers have continued to engage constructively and are working to incorporate the club's needs in balance with the wider programme of usage of Harvey Hadden stadium, including schools, clubs and colleges.

"As the main stakeholder for the facility, we continue to work with Notts AC and are keeping the club informed of progress."

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.