Along with a meal and disco, as well as activities, the
event doubled as an opportunity to present awards to various category winners
over the year.
The recipient of the clubs Runner of the Year was Dave
Patrick. This award is presented to the runner whom the Chairman, Howard
Winbow, considers to have shown consistency and positive representation of the
club. Dave showed good form this year and has raced most weekends throughout
the season.
The Sports Person of the year is awarded to the runner who
shows enthusiasm for both training races, and the many social events which the
club organises. This year’s winner was Mark Allen. Mark has worked tirelessly
for the club in particular organising the Hill Race at the Highland
gathering and championing the Beginners group.
Every Year there is a club Handicap Race open to all
members, with the organisers handicapping runners based on previous
performance, thus enabling everyone a chance to win. This year’s winner was
Craig Clayton with an excellent run.
Another popular race is the Dovedale Dash. This race
attracts circa 1500 runners from a wide area and a trophy is awarded to the
first local to finish. This year’s winner was Paul Mannion who finished inside
the top ten.
The Most Improved Male Runner of the Year for 2011 was Peter
Moss. The criteria is that the chairman considers this runner to show consistent
improvement in performance in both training and races. Peter has trained hard
all year and this culminated in an excellent performance in the Ashbourne
Half Marathon.
The Most Improved Female Runner is judged on the same
criteria as the male and the deserved winner this year was Claire Millward.
Claire has improved immensely throughout the year and this has been noticeable
to all members.
The final set of Awards were the Club Championship Awards.
The club championship is a series of thirteen races throughout the year mainly
locally and incorporating such races as the Ashbourne Half, The Fun Run and the
Highland Gathering Hill Race. Twenty Five points are awarded for the first
member home, twenty four for the second home and so on. To win, it is based of
the best seven scores for each member.
Categories are split into the following: Men’s Open, Ladies
Open, Men’s Novice, Ladies Novice, Men’s Veteran and Ladies Veteran.
The Men’s Open Winner for 2011 was Howard Winbow, who
retained his title from 2010. The same for the Ladies Open was Emily Sanders
who also retained her title from the previous year.
The Men’s novice was won this year by Mark Allen in a keenly
fought contest. The Ladies Novice was won by Eleanor Woodward.
In the Veteran Categories, the Male Winner was Ian Millward
and the female Winner was Carrie Moss.
Finally the chairman awarded a prize to the beginner of the
year. This year, the recipient was Jo Wood.
Further to the trophy winners collecting their prizes it was
a chance for the Chairman to thank various members for their tireless work
behind-the-scenes to ensure the continuation and growth of the club.
A great night was had by all and was a welcome reward for
the months of hard running in 2011!
The club welcomes new members of all abilities and anyone
who would like to join, is more than welcome to come down on the club meeting
nights. The club meets at the Leisure Centre every Tuesday night at 7.00pm.
Article by Paddy Molloy
