A team of ten people spent many hours analysing club records, race reports and nearly 30 sets of nominations from fellow members to come with the list of award winners for 2017.
Everyone involved in the process realised how difficult it was to split the performances apart, there were many excellent results and all the categories were highly competitive. All Harriers should feel proud of their 2017 race results regardless of whether they won a prize.
The awards will be presented at our party on the 27th January at the Bellingham Hotel.
Please make sure you support the winners and come enjoy a great party!
Up to 10 miles
Male – Chris Burton
Chris ran a superb PB at Southport Mad Dog 10k in February, knocking 1:28 off his best to register 37:12.
Mad Dog Burton
Female – Pauline Taylor
Pauline ran a brilliant time of 57:29 at the Cheshire 10k in March, taking 42 seconds off her previous best set in 2016. It was a great improvement.
Pauline 2nd from left.
10 – 20 miles
Male – John Heyes
John showed his improving form by improving his best set in May at Liverpool of 1:59.03 down to 1:44.13 at the English Half Marathon at Warrington in September.
John Heyes 2nd from left
Female – Katie Green
Although not an easy course the English Half was a happy hunting ground for many Harriers. Katie ran an excellent 1:48.21, taking her PB down from 2016 level of 1:55.54.
Katie first on the right.
20 miles – Marathon
Male – Chris Burton
Chris topped the 2017 Marathon rankings with his run at Liverpool Rock and Roll Marathon in May. He took 10:17 off his 2016 performance to register a new PB of 3.09:44.
Chris PB hunting.
Female – Karen Moorfield
Manchester was where Karen took a mighty 16.33 off her 2016 run to gain a new PB of 3:27.58.
Karen leaving nothing on the course.
Ultra (Just one winner – male or female)
Julie Valentine
Julie dug very very deep and completed the 200 mile Southport to Hornsea Ultra Great Britain in August.
Julie at the end!
Cross Country (2017 calendar – split across two seasons)
Male – Mike Harris
Ever present throughout all Mid Lancs, Northern and National Races, Mike finished as highest placer Harrier in the Senior Men’s league & scored in every race for the A team continuing the form into the 2017-18 season.
Mike running hard at the National XC.
Female – Jayne Taylor
Jayne bounced back from illness to finish the 2016-17 season strongly before pushing on further in the 2017-18 season with two top ten finishes in the over 35’s category and a couple of 1st L55 finishes.
Artistic licence – used a non-XC shot!
Most improved Athlete of the year
Male – Chris Green
With significant PB’s at both 10k (1st sub 40 mins) and Marathon (a massive 10 mins off his PB) Chris had a pretty spectacular year!
Chris at Wigan 10k
Female – Rachel Simm
Rachel smashed new PB’s at both Half Marathon (massive 48 mins!) and 10k (13 mins) in a fantastic year of improvement.
Rachel Simm 1st left
Athlete of the year
Male – Chris Green
Not content with battering his PB’s at 10k and Marathon, Chris also managed to successfully complete IRONMAN. 2017 was a green year!
Chris Green you are an IRONMAN!
Female – Karen Moorfield
As well as obliterating her marathon PB, Karen utilised her endurance training to smash the Lakeland 50 in 11:43, a superb run.
Karen ran in a pair with Warren.
Karen in Wigan 10k action
Congratulations again to all our winners!
