In 1998 Hamilton Harriers and Hamilton Athletic Clubs joined forces to create Hamilton City Hawks.

Hamilton City Hawks was seen as a way to better promote the sport, drawing on the proud history of both clubs at local, national and international levels of athletics , having such illustrious names as Olympians Dick Quax, Dianne Rodger, Euan Robertson, Dave Moorcroft, Tony Rogers and Gavin Lovegrove as at the time Athletic and and /or Harrier members. Since Hawks inception, Craig Barrett, Stuart Farquhar, Zane and Jake Robertson, Julia Ratcliffe and Camille Buscomb  have become household names in the NZ sporting arena. The ever changing nature of running and athletics in NZ means a modern club now also needs to provide for the huge number of recreational runners , whether they are training for a 10k, marathon or one of the many new trail events on the domestic calendar.

Each section (winter and summer) is self governing, with their own committees, finances, assets and fee structure. We share a Management Committee that is affiliated to Athletics NZ, sources funding for members to compete nationally and is represented on regional administration committees.

With many national champions from age group to masters, and an abundance of NZ representatives, Hamilton City Hawks is regarded as one of the premier athletic and running clubs in New Zealand.

Hamilton City Hawks are renowned for their involvement in hosting events. The winter section has long been the organisers of both the Huntly Half Marathon and Round The Bridges, as well as hosting midweek summer 5km runs and walks. While Huntly and RTB are still owned by Hawks, they are currently leased out to private event management teams.

The summer section is involved with the organisation of one of the premier Track and Field meets in the country, the Porritt Classic, where the best athletes in New Zealand come to compete.