25th Anniversary and Presentation Evening - 24th November 2007

Richmond and Zetland Harriers held their annual presentation evening at The Bridge Hotel, Catterick on Saturday 24th November, where a fabulous evening was had by all who attended, with a carvery meal and disco rounding off the proceedings. The awards were presented by special guest Becky Lyne, 800m athlete from the Great Britain team, which was a major boost, making it a special event for everyone involved and adding a special touch to the club’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.

Becky Lyne presents the Engravers Trophy to Sam Wood

The trophies related to the 2006/07 Cross Country season and 2007 track and field season for both junior and senior athletes. A number of the junior trophies are determined by the number of points accumulated during the Young Athletes Track and Field League, whereas others are awarded on merit and performance, especially in the Cross Country races.

Top points scorer in the Young Athletes League Under 13 category was Amy Coulson, who took part in a wide variety of events. The same trophy for the Under 15 age group went to Thomas Allen, particularly for his performances in the middle distance events on the track, while sprinter Ruth Hill was the winner in the Under 17 category, whose forte is 100m and 200m, enjoying some fantastic performances throughout the Summer.

The Male Cross Country award when to Fergus Roberts, who was a fantastic athlete throughout the season, with not only excellent results in the league races, but also when he became Yorkshire Cross Country Champion at Skipton in January, as well as going on to take team gold for Yorkshire in the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships. Jon Orange meanwhile collected the Male Road Running Plate, for winning the MV40 category in the Harrogate & District Road Race League, setting some excellent times on the road over 10K and his performance in the London Marathon, amongst numerous other accolades. The prize for best Male Thrower went to Aaron Mornington, who had a truly outstanding season, with some fantastic performances in the Javelin in the Young Athletes League. Fergus Roberts then collected his second award of the evening on a joint basis with his brother Doug, which was the Bob Woods Trophy for Junior Male Endurance. Both athletes have shown exceptional ability on the track this season, with their best performances coming in the 800m and 1500m for Fergus and 1500m and 3000m for Doug, when he reached the English Schools Finals, in additional to his results in the Harrogate and District Road Race League.

George Robinson picked up the award for best Male Jumper, for his performances in the High Jump and Long Jump, once again in the NYSD and Young Athletes League, while the best All-Round Junior Male Athlete Trophy was awarded to Paul Harmsworth, for his performance in Cross Country and on the track as well as his willingness to participate in any event. James King meanwhile, took the runner’s up prize in the best All-Rounder category, also for his performances in Cross Country and on the track. There was also a prize for Marc Scott, who was the winner of the Starvis Trophy for most improved Cross Country Junior Athlete, following his results in the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships, Inter-Counties Championships where he represented Yorkshire, taking a team gold medal and the NYSD Cross Country league races.

Tad Zaranko walked away with the prize for the Most Improved Senior Male Athlete, as he is consistently bettering his times and performances both on and off the road, amongst other achievements. Leanne Shaw collected the trophy for best Female Sprinter, after a fantastic season, including her 1 Silver and 2 Gold medals at the Yorkshire Track and Field Championships, with Maddy Winzer taking the same honours for Cross Country, having also won the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships in January, which was a fantastic achievement. Although a runner first and foremost, Sarah Gregory earned the title of best Female Thrower after consistent efforts in all four throwing disciplines during the Summer season at the NYSD and Northern Senior League events.

The award for best All Round Junior Female once again went to Amy Coulson, for her performances on the track, particularly over her preferred distance of 800m, as well as her Cross Country results, with Kerry Robson and Rosie Stirr collecting their well-deserved joint runners-up trophies in this category. Amy Coulson still wasn’t finished, also walking away with the Christina Boxer Trophy for Junior Female Endurance, as she has started the season with a grade 4 over 800m and improved to a grade 2 by the end of Summer. Ken Harker was pleased to find himself in possession of the Veteran’s Trophy, awarded to anyone aged 35 years or over, after his performance at the World Masters Championships in Italy, as well as the European Masters Championships, where he competed in the 800m and 1500m events.

Sam Wood was the creditable winner of the Engraver’s Trophy; awarded for attitude and effort during competitions and training. The Becky Robinson Cup, presented to someone deemed to be a true mentor and role model, went to Sarah Gregory, for her general input to the running of the club and help with encouraging athletes, both new and established. Fergus Roberts was meanwhile still accumulating trophies, as he was asked to come forward once more to receive the award as Richmond and Zetland Athlete Of The Year, for his numerous accolades already mentioned above, as well as being a worthy winner for his all-round ability, attitude and talent. Finally, Denise Robson was the laudable winner of The Chairman’s Trophy for her organisation, help and general support for the club.