Awards mark Hastings running club's fab first year - report and picture special

Led by an amazing committee, along with dedicated coaches, the club have gone from strength to strength.

During the year, they have raised money for three worthy causes through focused challenges. They have hosted their own club races, competed in external races where individuals and teams have fared exceptionally well, and kept runners going through lockdown with an array of challenges and virtual races.

HY Runners are welcoming and inclusive to all. The shared community spirit means everyone has a focus on supporting others.

The success of HY Runners was celebrated with an outdoor, socially distanced, awards presentation on the Ark William Parker track.

Youth runners were presented with a medal for their participation. Trophies were awarded for Athlete of the Year and Most Improved for all age categories between under-9 and under-18.

Trophies and medals were donated and presented by Dain Jenson, MD of Kiley’s Karpets.

Adult awards acknowledged recognition for successes including personality, committee support, OCR, ultra running and novices.

The chairman’s award was presented to John Bridger, the club’s statistician, for his dedication in recording tables for races and challenges.

Overall athlete of the year was Ross Skelton for his phenomenal success over the year. As a coach, he is an inspiration to all HY Runners.

Coach Terry Skelton highlighted the importance of individual progress. Every runner has a different starting point, but each is challenged at their own personal level. The younger ones are inspired to get active and learn that hard work pays off.

Award winners: Boys - U9s; Athlete of Year - Malik Abd El Haleem; Most Improved - Jude Campbell; U11s - Athlete of Year - Zion Okojie; Most Improved - Iden Newman; U13s - Athlete of Year - Max Phipps; Most Improved - Harrison Silver; U16s - Athlete of Year – Dylan Matthews; Most Improved – Joe Grain; Girls - U9s - Athlete of Year -Tera Buckland; Most Improved – Amelia Skelton; U11s - Athlete of Year- Isabella Buchanan; Most Improved - Megan Hopkins-Parry; U13s - Athlete of Year - Daisy Welch; Most Improved – Ruby Adams; U16s - Athlete of Year – Nancy Barlow; Most Improved - Ruby Phipps; U18s - Athlete of Year - Shannon Hopkins; Adults - Chairman’s Award – John Bridger; Athlete of the Year – Ross Skelton; Committee Award – Stewart Ide; Personality of the Year – Benji Symes; Most Improved Male - Craig Willard; Most Improved Female - Hayley Foster; Male Vet – Carl Adams; Female Vet – Sophie McGoldrick; Ultra-runner of the year - Female - Jemma O’Gorman; Male - David Brogan; OCR Award – Barry Buchanan; Novice of the year - Female -Karen Emson; Male - Mark Tewkesbury; Most Challenge Wins - David Ervine.