[2] In the latter, he was noticed by Sheffield United's manager Teddy Davison, who signed him to play for the side.
[2] In April 1949, Hardy began to take up race walking, where he joined the Sheffield United Harriers.
[2] Later that year, Hardy won the 1949 Sheffield Star Walk, breaking the course record by 53 seconds.
[7] At the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Hardy took part in the men's 10 kilometres walk, but was disqualified in his heat.
[8] Four years later, at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, he finished in eighth place in the men's 20 kilometres walk.