RECOGNISING the achievements of runners, coaches and volunteers at all levels… from the legends of the running clubs to the most improved, from the most inspiring runners to those who make the training all worthwhile by coaching and inspiring.
Staged at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, charity partner, the Cancer Fund For Children, was the main beneficiary of the event, organised by Clare McAvoy and her sister Laura Brennan who thanked sponsors and supporters Hybrid Academy & Alpha HPF Castlewellan, providers of training materials and top quality gear; Pod Glamping; Mourne Stars Speech, Drama & Performing Arts and Athletics NI.
PICTURES BY AARON GWYNNE
Marina & Eamon McGurran (above and below)
Voluntary Contribution to Running
Winners: Marina & Eamon McGurran (Team Runwell)
Marin and Eamon began as non-runners and took up Couch to 5K events before then joining Citypark Parkrun on a Saturday. These two are always giving back to the running community from inspiring their own children and to training the young runners. They help young children flourish in running like they saw their own children do. Even when they are not racing, they are there to support their team mates. They are everyone’s biggest cheerleader. They are two rays of sunshine and truly deserve to win this award.
Sherene Masterson
Most Improved Runner of the year
Winner: Sherene Masterson (Wednesday Night Runners)
Sherene puts her heart and passion into all that she does… not just her running… all done with a beautiful smile. She is a positive role model to many including her young family. This runner has improved so much over the year and helps everyone else around her. She has been tireless in her running pursuits, completing 50 Parkruns, multiple 10k races, four marathon relays and two full half marathons, on top of her other professional obligations and responsibility as a mother.
Youth runner of the year
Winner: Amy Brolly (collected by her dad, Seamus McAteer, above, also a finalist)
Amy is just 15 years old and has doing junior Parkrun these last 3-4 years in Ballymoney. She has come across the finish line first in her local Parkrun many times. Her Personal Best time is 8:54 for a 2k and she’s now moved up to senior parkrun and is running sub 24 already! She has constant drive and commitment. It’s great to see Amy racing Parkrun and running in general!
Karl O’Neill
Best Male Marathon Runner of the Year
Winner: Karl O’Neill (Acorns AC)
Karl was nominated by his fellow runners who appreciate his marathon running ability. He is a fantastic runner, fairly new to the sport and trains hard, and chasing a sub 3 hourr marathon time! He’s dedicated and puts a lot of his spare time into trying to improve. A truly deserving winner!
Nuala McNally
Best Female Marathon Runner of the Year
Winner: Nuala McNally (Carryduff Running Club)
Nuala has run numerous marathons, including Belfast, London and Dublin. She always has a smile on her face and is an inspiration to her young family as well as her team mates in the running club. She has also dedicated her time to raising money for worthwhile local charities throughout her running journey.
Mark Jameson
Most Inspirational male Runner of the year
Winner: Mark Jameson (Portadown Running Club)
Mark took on the challenge of running a marathon a month in a team mate’s memory to raise funds for a charity called Evie’s special bow – this charity was set up to raise funds for glioblastoma. Mark has been unwavering in his support both by running the marathons and organising other events through his hiking club. He is currently running a marathon a month for 12 months. All for charity and in memory of his friend who died while at the Sparta race in Australia. He has a caring heart and will accept any challenge/charitable cause to raise much needed funds for them.
Patricia Brown
Most Inspirational Female Runner of the year
Winner: Patricia Brown (Newry City Runners)
Patricia has been described as an amazing woman and has a real dedication to sport. She always puts in a 100% effort at training. Most importantly, she wants the best for all runners around her. Back better than ever after an injury setback, Patricia has battled injuries and ankle damage but still runs every day and competes. She is a leader and so valuable to inspire others to take up running or stick with it!
Niall Bell
Inspirational Male Coach of the Year
Winner: Niall Bell (Keep Er Lit)
Niall has set up a Junior section within his club and works with both primary and post primary to offer athletics to kids from all ages. Within this past year he has run a Summer Camp over four weekends, open to 100 kids, free of charge. He has recently set up a local Junior parkrun, only the second in Mid Ulster. He is at every junior training and race; he is constantly going to courses to try and better himself so he can pass on best practice to the club kids.
Siobhan Grant
Inspirational Female Coach of the Year
Winner: Siobhan Grant (Newcastle AC)
Siobhan, in the words of one of her many nominations, has masterminded a resurgence of athletics within her local area. Her own love and passion, which began with cross country and endurance running, has now flourished into all aspects of track and field and is mirrored by the children she works relentlessly with to ensure each child feels valued. She is a huge advocate for inclusion and that is evident from her adventures as a guide runner for visually impaired runners, and her focus on Sport of All within schools as a Special Needs Teacher. There are not enough words to outline her dedication and positive impact on growing athletics at grassroots level. As she always says: “It’s about having fun and making memories.” Siobhan has been and will continue to be a positive and unstoppable force in the continued growth and success of junior running and all related disciplines at local, club, school and national level.
Best Female Trail Runner of the Year
Winner: Áine Gosling (Newcastle & District AC). Not Present
Áine is a force to be reckoned with. Her achievements are mighty and include representing Ireland across Europe, including competing in the European Mountain Running Championships. An outstanding trail runner, whose dedication and perseverance has inspired many. Her remarkable speed and passion for the trails have truly set her apart as a champion. In the words of some of her nominations… “she absolutely loves and lives for the trails! She puts her heart and soul into her training and is my inspiration to run in the trials and now the mountains.”
Best Male Trail Runner of the Year
Winner: Keith Johnston (Armagh AC). Not present
Keith was described in one of his nominations as a legend- and a credit to the trail running clubs. He has been described as dedicated, and has shown significant progress in one year. He has also been selected to run for the Northern Ireland team, came second recently in the NIMRA championship and second in Ulster championship.
Best Ultra Female Runner of the Year
Winner: Laura Grimes (Jog Moira). Not present.
Laura, who on the evening was running an Ultra Marathon, has been described as a fantastic ultra runner with a great engine! She never ceases to amaze, a ‘pocket rocket’ when it comes to ultra running. She has completed many incredible feats this year including the Dublin to Belfast 100 and even competing for her country across the water.
Wayne McGuigan
Best Ultra Male Runner of the Year
Winner: Wayne McGuigan (Slieve Gullian Runners)
Wayne is ‘thee last man standing!’ He has entered and won three Last One Standing events and is an inspiration to all. He has won many backyard ultras this year and is going to be a part of the All-Ireland Team in the World Team Championships. He’s an amazing runner who’s up for anything and constantly excels.
Hilary Dalzell
Female Park Runner of the Year
Winner: Hilary Dalzell (Saintfield Striders)
For her dedication to her local Park Run and inspiring others to take part and volunteer. Always smiling for the photographers which shows just how much she enjoys Comber Park Run, Hilary is a wonderful lady who shows passion for running and huge support for Park Run.
Mark Gardiner
Male Park Runner of the Year
Winner: Mark Gardiner (Ballycastle Runners AC)
Mark is a dedicated runner in all aspects. He takes part in half marathons, full marathons, 10Ks to name but a few. He is hitting PBs all the time, a noteworthy one being Rock the Lough where he completed the half marathon in an amazing time of 1h 22mins. Mark commits himself to his local Park Runs, too – Ecos, Limepark and Antrim Parkrun. An inspiration to many and a fit and fast athlete!
Aimee Mullin
Female Runner of the Year
Winner: Aimee Mullin (Galbally Runners)
Aimee has been described as having immense drive, grit and determination. She has worked so hard to get to the level she has achieved. A real inspiration to her family and more importantly the young ones who admire her so much. She dedicates a lot of time to her running and takes Galbally youth runners to encourage children to take up running. As a P7 teache, Aimeer has been instrumental in establishing a running club in Carland Primary School.
Male Runner of the Year
Winner: Gareth King (Portadown running club) Collected by Jeff Scott
Some nominations have said… ‘Because he is just so dedicated and inspirational and just keeps on getting better and better’… ‘He is an inspiration to all runners, he also is always keen to help other runners with all aspects of their running from tips on different types of training, should it be speed, stamina… ‘He is a great person and extremely deserving of this award’.
Janine Burns and Karen McElroy
Outstanding Contribution to Fundraising
Winners: Janine Burns & Karen McElroy (Newry City Runners)
Janine and Karen have raised almost £40,000 completing the six majors for the Southern Area Hospice since 2019 and also raised money for other local charities. These two have committed themselves to the Southern Area Hospice as well as numerous other charities to make sure those less fortunate have the funds they need. Take a bow ladies!
Kevin Gallagher
Best Use of Social Media – Running
Winner: Kevin Gallagher (The Active Runner magazine)
Kevin has been described as a provider of superb and up to date info at all times on social media outlets. He highlights all events and personal achievements and has created a supportive community that encourages members and collates all the race news in one place. He works tirelessly in his own time to promote running events and highlights runners from all clubs/abilities. He was behind the ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ campaign and also raises funds for charities through the magazine.
Carol McMenamin
Legend Runner of the Year
Winner: Carol McMenamin (Murlough AC)
Carol is a f founding member of her club and, without her, they wouldn’t have the successful club they have today. She served on the committee for 10 years and lived and breathed all aspects of the club. She recently completed the Six World Major Marathons in her 60th year. She had been plagued with injuries in the last couple of years but picked herself up each time and put in so much time and effort to achieve the goal she had set for herself. She is incredibly motivated.
Saintfield Striders
People’s Club of the Year
Winners: Saintfield Striders
In the six years they’ve been running, this local club has developed into a thriving club at the heart of it’s community. They welcome members from right across the ability and age spectrum, from individuals who run a marathon in 2 hours 32 mins, to those who take up their position at the rear of the Parkrun field each week. It’s a club that celebrates inclusivity and the achievements of all its members and continues to grow within the local community. They hold an annual race around the stunning Co Down roads with an amazing spread after to help with recovery. They ensure members have a range of activities from training, social runs and walks and events to support fitness knowledge around nutrition, recovery and health and wellbeing. They are friendly, supportive and fully embrace their moto ‘Leave No Strider Behind’.
