RAC members celebrate their achievements11 December 2022 (by D.Cartwright) |
Radcliffe Athletic Club runners celebrated another successful year with a host of awards handed out at their annual presentation.
Members enjoyed a winning night at Radcliffe Masonic Hall, despite the event being held at the same time as England’s World Cup quarter final clash against France.
The Joan West Award for the most improved female, named after the late club stalwart, was won by Karen Doherty. She also picked up the Eileen Royle Award, which honours RAC’s former head coach, for the most club championship races completed, and was the FV45 age category winner.
The Jim Rhodes Award for the most improved male, named after the former club member who was passionate about supporting his fellow runners, went to Ian Swan.
Sheila Jones, one of the country’s top runners in her age category, lifted the Nellie Halstead Award which is given to the woman who has shown exceptional achievement in competition. The award is named after the former Radcliffe Olympian, and Jones was also the category winner and highest points average winner in the FV65 age group.
The men’s Terry Nortley Award for exceptional achievement in competition, named after RAC’s former president, was presented to John Gibbs. The MV40 also won both his age category and highest points average awards.
There was more success for Gibbs who was the joint winner, with fellow committee member Craig Norman, of the Presidents Shield for Outstanding Contribution to the club.
Norman was the men’s cross country champion, while the women’s title went to Kath Davies.
Other category winners: male junior Alex Pullan; male senior Peter Hunter; MV45 Steve Fawcett; MV50 Lee Turner; MV55 Mike Kontowtt; MV65 Andy Wheeler; female senior Mia Derbyshire; FV40 Natalie Hitchen; FV50 Caroline Malone; FV55 Tracy Wroe; FV60 Elaine Bailey.
Highest points average winners: male junior Alex Pullan; male senior Gary Adkins; MV45 Steve Fawcett; MV50 Lee Turner; MV55 Mark Williams; MV65 Andy Wheeler; female senior Mia Derbyshire; FV40 Natalie Hitchen; FV45 Donna Cartwright; FV50 Helen Kay; FV55 Tracy Wroe; FV60 Elaine Bailey.
Saturday’s South East Lancashire Cross Country League fixture at Heaton Park was cancelled due to the freezing weather. Several parkruns were also a casualty of the cold snap, but some members still managed to stretch their legs.
Rob Shiels was fourth at Burnley parkrun in 20:27 and Chris Paxton ran 20:44 to come eighth at Skipton. Steven Crowe ran 31:42 at Nova Prestatyn and results from Heaton Park were: Simon Foulkes (23:58), Helen Kay (32:32) and Cheryl Gallagher (38:13).
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