THE first annual awards evening for Okehampton Running Club took place last weekend. The relaxed evening was held at Betty Cottles Inn near Okehampton and was a chance for many of the club's runners to be awarded for their efforts over the past year.
The highest female achiever of the year award went to Joanne Daniels who was a regular runner before she joined but with the club's help Joanne has knocked eight minutes off her half marathon time. She will compete in her first marathon in London later this month and looks forward to another successful year.
The highest male achiever of the year went to Roger Voaden who has run exceptionally well all year setting some great personal bests. He won his first race Duchy 20 and seems to have an endless supply of energy as he continues to run marathon after marathon! He too is looking forward to this year's Virgin London Marathon.
Hardest female trainer went to Jackie Rice for her commitment to triathlon training, while hardest male trainer was well deserved by Dennis Thorpe who is an inspiration to all the club members, competing and achieving great times in the veteran 70 group.
The club has grown so successfully that four different ability groups are trained by qualified coaches each week. Rachel O'Dell first came to the club a year ago and on her first evening could not complete a loop of the park. She has been a dedicated club member and has completed a coaching course to now lead the group she first joined! This achievement meant she was a worthy receiver of the most improved female runner of the year. The male equivalent award went to Darren Duffy who joined the club later in the year and has improved no end since then. He has raced in numerous events and appears to achieve personal best times every time he races.
This year's coach of the year award went to the ever motivating Gavin Punchard. Many of the runners in his group are thankful to Gavin for their great achievements and improving times in races.
The most prestigious award, club member of the year was well deserved by the club's founder Andy Vallance. As a keen runner for the past 10 years he is training hard for his 14th marathon (London). He saw an opportunity to establish a dedicated running club in Okehampton and has worked tirelessly over the past year to make it such a success. He is also one of the club's qualified coaches and enjoys nothing better than competing in local races, his particular passion being those which are off road. This year he has achieved some excellent personal best times and come first in three local races.
The club meets at Okehampton Argyle FC in Simmons Park every Thursday evening from 6.30-7.30pm.
The committee and all the members wish to thank the football club for the use of their club house. Many thanks also go to Stuart Lord of OCRA, the 5x30 project and WDBC for helping with the funding needed to establish the club.
Okehampton Running Club welcomes new members of all abilities from those who would like to get fit, stay fit or those who would like to get even fitter to improve race times! The club's committee would like to wish all existing members another fun and successful year of running.