Friday the 9th December was the Newmarket Joggers Christmas Party and Presentation of 2011 Awards. As ever there was a great turnout with lots of new members coming along and ensuring the night was a fun one with some of the members showing that their talents are not just in running races but on the dance floor too! The awards were presented by the Club’s original founders Geoff Sale (only Newmarket Jogger to run 50 marathons!) and Tommy Smith, with Brian Munns as Team Captain also presenting.
This year has seen club records smashed so it was no surprise that the award for Newmarket Jogger Performer of the Year went to Matthew Harvey who completed a 2:36 London Marathon and set a new record time at the Newmarket 10k of 33:53 as well as winning the Wymondham 20 mile race and Newmarket Heath Run. A year of truly amazing performances from the Jogger who is the deserved winner of the title for 2011.
Newmarket Joggers Club Member of the Year for 2011 went to Brian Munns, not only has Brian had an outstanding year in his races posting some incredible times, some of his best in recent years, but he’s also been the backbone of the club at training nights week in week out organising runs and schedules as well as motivating members to run in the Cross Country and 5k leagues, in addition he completed a Leadership in Running Fitness course earlier in the year and hopes to go on to complete more courses in 2012.
Female New Member of the Year went to Marjie Davis, Marjie has been so supportive of the club marshalling with her 2 daughters – Charlie and Ruby Rocket at every club race and also competing in her first Cross Country at Framlingham in October, in addition Marjie ran in the 5k League and her support for the ladies team as well as the club saw her as the very worthy winner of award.
Male New Member of the Year went to Alex Cairns, Alex joined the club earlier in the year and has been another member full of enthusiasm for League races and is always very supportive of members at training nights, in addition he’s seen his times improve tremendously and having now joined the committee brings welcomed fresh ideas to the club. Alex is looking forward to competing in his first marathon in 2012 and the club is looking forward to supporting him throughout his training.
Female Veteran of the Year went to Mary Marsh, Mary is an asset to any club; her approach to running is that ‘she loves it’ and whenever you see her at races or club nights she’s full of enthusiasm for whatever lies ahead. She simply loves her half marathons and travels all over the UK to compete in them having a particular soft spot for the Great North Run. She’s a regular at local races and always gives everything her very best putting in great performances personally and at team level.
Male Veteran of the Year went to Paul Holley. Paul has competed for the club all year at the top level winning the veteran trophy at the County League Cross Country Championships in January and going on to run in the Cross Country and 5 Leagues as well as posting a London Marathon time of 2.53 and bettering that in October when he ran in the Loch Ness Marathon to finish in 2.47. In addition Paul posted one of his best half marathon times this year in the Bath Half Marathon crossing the line in 1:13 and currently leads the club 5k Winter Handicap for 2011/2012.
Female Improver of the Year went to Sue Stoten, Sue also competed in the County League Cross Country Championships at the beginning of the year and has been a stalwart of all team events throughout 2011, her run in the Round Norfolk Relay saw her post a PB time for the distance and she just keeps improving and putting her best efforts into every race she competes. Her commitment to the Ladies team saw Newmarket Joggers Ladies winning the Suffolk County Cross Country League for 2010/2011 and she is another member who works hard for the club in her role as Club Secretary and Welfare Officer.
Male Improver of the Year could go to no other than Robin Clifford. Robin has had a tremendous year winning the Soham Half Marathon in a PB of 1.16 and also posting a PB of 18:53 in the Newmarket Heath Run. This was all after he ran London Marathon in 2:43 another PB for the Jogger who starts his training for 2012 London Marathon on January 2nd and with his recent performances throughout the summer in the 5k league looks to better his 2011 time. It’s been a fabulous year for the Jogger who has been in the club a long time and this award is truly well deserved.
Male Team Member of the Year went to Jim Withers. Jim is a committed team member and is always looking for events and encouraging members to compete in all races. This enthusiasm saw Newmarket Joggers have their first ever entry in the Round Norfolk Relay which without Jim’s determination and organisation skills would never have got off the ground. In addition Jim has also posted some impressive times personally this year and is very supportive of all local races as well as being one of the first to help out at club races.
Female Team Member of the Year went to Debbie Read for the 2nd year running. Debbie works tirelessly to organise the Christmas Party as well as being on the committee she will turn her hand to anything to ensure the job is done right and done well. In addition she has recently taken on the role of membership secretary and is the person all new members meet and liaise with upon joining the Joggers. Her hard work has seen the Joggers membership top over 100 members for the year, which is a first for the club.
All in all Newmarket Joggers have had a fabulous year, with Paul Evans the Olympic Athlete coming in to train on occasions and the Ladies team winning the Cross Country League with the men’s team currently lying in 2nd position for the 2011/2012 league. We’re a club going from strength to strength and also having members of all abilities means that everyone is welcome to join and come along to our training nights where they will be given a warm welcome. Next year sees the Joggers enter a team in the National Cross Country Championships for the first time at Parliament Hill in February and with new members joining weekly we hope that the Joggers will be competing at more national events this Olympic Year. More information on the club can be found at www.newmarketjoggers.co.uk or Twitter on @newmarketjogger & Facebook Newmarket Joggers