The Club’s Annual Awards for 2010 were announced this week, taking into account a number of performances with several noticeable achievements by talented Harriers of all ages. There is also an important event known as the London Marathon coming up!
Senior Man award for 2010 went to Ben Tickner (thus succeeding his brother Frank ) for his selection to Team England and Team GB at International Cross Country level.
Senior Woman award went to Laura Parker for the 2nd year running, recognising her Team England vests at both Track and Cross Country events last year.
Junior Boy and Girls awards went to Matthew Dickinson for his 7th place (U 15’s) in the National 3000m track championships last summer, and to Emily Smith for her outstanding run in winning the English Schools XC Championship last March in Manchester. Emily is pictured here at a Monday evening junior coaching session at Millfield track where she helps out the Club's qualifed coaches.
The Clubs Marathon award 2010 went to Clare Prosser for her 2hrs 56 mins personal best time.
Veteran awards were made to Jon James who was selected for the English Masters Team once again in addition to his outright veterans victory in the Gwent XC League, and to Jenny Moore who is ranked in the top ten nationally at 5k, 10k, half and full marathon for the F45 category.
Club person of the Year for 2010 was Rex Whitcombe and it was noted that in effect this could have been a Club family award as Rex has had great team support from Isaac (sprints coach), Reuben (middle distance coach) and Hannah (Street 5k etc).
The various recipients of the awards will be presented with their engraved glass in the near future. Further awards will be made at the Club AGM in late May or beforehand at a suitable event.
This coming weekend is the much loved London Marathon which will dominate the TV screens, and a number of Harriers will be chasing success at this year’s capital event. Amongst the starters will be Alice Knight (junior kit manager) who is running her first ever 26.1 mile race running for the National Blind Children’s Society. Alice is hoping to be home in around the 4 hour mark. Jason Tuck (Senior kit manager) is also competing, this time for Cancer Relief, and has been training well and doing multiple laps with the Harrier's Evercreech early Saturday morning group. Jason harbours ambitions to go inside 3.30, and faster should his legs permit.
Clare Prosser, the clubs 2010 marathon awardee, is hoping to match last years sub-3 hours time, and Jenny Moore, another sub-3 hour marathon runner is a strong contender for top F45 place at this race. John Reynolds, the man who thinks and knows that marathons are but a short stroll, will also be toeing the start line with one of the Club's guaranteed places along with Martin Bailey, another Club number man whose training has been going well and puts him on course for close to the 3 hour mark.
Meanwhile, Jon Gilling (senior men's team manager), travelled to Paris last weekend. and he finished in 253rd place at the Marathon with a time just outside of his best in 2hrs 48:37. It was a very hot day but Jon enjoyed the race. Well done!
Whilst the senior marathon runners look forward to this weekend’s main event, five Junior Harriers have been selected for the SW team at the London Mini Marathon, so good luck to Sam Sommerville, Oliver Fox, Matthew Dickinson, Emily Smith and Isobel Glaisher.