Last Friday saw the Halifax Harriers hold their annual dinner and prize giving at Heath Rugby Club and this year, the junior and senior awards were presented together. It has been another exceptional year for the athletes with many personal bests, club records being broken, and runners representing their county and country on the world stage.
At the event the prizes were presented by club chairman, Mark Gaughan. Junior prizes focused on cross country championships and trophies went to: Autumn Good, Isla Pickering, and Orla Maden in a three-way tie in the under-11 girls. The under-11 boys winner was Sol Clarke. Under-13 girls: Fleur Parkinson. Under-13 boys: James Neil. Under-15 girls: Kitty Harrison Sargent. Under-15 boys: William Pickering. Under-17 women: Nia Harrison Sargent and Under-17 men: Eli Cattermole. Mark Gaughan also presented special awards to the ‘Outstanding junior athletes’ Kitty Harrison Sargent and Sean Duffy.
In the senior category there were ‘Road Race challenge’ category wins for James O’Rourke, April Stewart, Keith Lemon, Nigel Jamieson and Martin Haigh. Runners-up in these challenge categories were: Div. ‘A’: Will Carver and Will Stewart, Div.’ B’: Robert Hick and David Ingle, Div. ‘C’: Stephen Fitz-Costa and Marc Rocheteau, Div. ‘D’: Sharon Jamieson and Stephen Denniss and Div. ‘E’: Debbie Kirkbride and Kirsty Carver. The most improved 10k runner over the year was Jenny Hopkinson.
In the female Fell Race championship Stef Dickinson was 1st followed by Jane Hobson in 2nd and Rachel Standish 3rd. The male fell championship winner was Ryan Barker followed by Will Carver and Tom Paget in a tie for 2nd place.
In the cross-country section, Liam Parkin won the senior male award and Will Cattermole received the under 20 ‘s L. J. Coyle shield. Katrina Oddy won the female veteran trophy and James Franklin the male veteran’s cup. The Endeavour trophy was awarded to Hanni Jane Maeer for representing the Harriers at many European and African long-distance events and The Chairman’s trophy went to David Wooley for exceptional services to the club.
This year a new award was presented for significant contribution to the club, its membership and the wider community. This is named the ‘Ryan Award’ in honour of the first recipients who were the Ryan family. The Ryan’s have been longstanding members of Halifax Harriers and have made a significant personal contribution to the purchase and installation of a defibrillator at the Spring Hall Track plus a mobile AED to be used at races. These units will not only benefit club members but can be used by the wider community.
Please note that we are unable to take any new under 11 year old runners at this moment in time. If you wish to be added to the under 11s waiting list, please contact Victoria by email at tor10@hotmail.co.uk. Any U11s that are currently on a four week trial will be allowed to join at the end of their four weeks.
The situation will be reviewed in June.