Running club enjoys getting together for first awards night in two years
The silverware was dished out as Newport & District Running Club held their annual awards in person for the first time since Covid-19 struck.
After the club AGM in which members were congratulated for keeping runners fit and active, they enjoyed fish and chips from the Jones fish bar before handing out individual prizes.
Unusually, trophies were handed out to the various winners from 2019. The prize-giving that had been due to be held in March 2020 was postponed by the pandemic and other opportunities for face-to-face gatherings were limited in the following two years.
The prizes encompassed categories from fastest race times at various distances to improvement and contribution to the club. The distance awards were based on members’ race times, with the “age graded” times adjusted based on each runner’s age group, which acts as an equaliser across age categories.
There was also a special award given to Neil Fairbrother for keeping club members running during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Prize winners:
Age Graded 5K: Men: Phil Dolding; Women: Anne Strowger.
Age Graded 10K: Men: Darren Waters; Women: Anne Strowger.
Age Graded Half Marathon: Men: Gary Mountford; Women: Anne Strowger.
Age Graded Marathon: Men: Neil Jones; Women: Helen Edwards.
Fastest 5K: Men: Joe Phillips; Women: Amy Hughes.
Fastest 10K: Men: Joe Phillips; Women: Elizabeth Bennett.
Fastest Half Marathon: Men: Phil Dolding; Women: Elizabeth Bennett.
Fastest Marathon: Men: Joe Phillips; Women: Lindsay Browning.
Ultra Marathon: Men: Ben Roper; Women: Ellen Deighton.
Most Improved Runner: Men: Kevin Phelps; Women: Sheryl Stuart.
Strowger Award: Neil Fairbrother.
MacDonald-Jones Award (Inspiring Others): Annabel Bolton.
Contribution to the Club: Men: Kevin Nicklin; Women: Helen Reid.
