Each month HRC members will be invited to nominate a Member of the Month. This will be someone who has achieved or done something special in that month, such as having performed exceptionally well in running events and/or gone above and beyond to support the club in a voluntary capacity. Nominations will be considered by the Committee and a winner selected based solely on merit.
2024 Winners
| Month | Who | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | Hayley Wilson | Hayley was nominated and voted Member of the Month for undertaking the role of Race Director for HRC’s Suffolk XC Winter League event at Horseheath. Being Race Director is no mean feat but Hayley’s brilliant organisation skills meant that, despite a few challenges along the way, the event went off without a hitch. Hayley even persuaded the windy weather to hang fire until after the event had finished. And, to top it all, there was some great feedback from participants. Taking this into account, along with the dedication and passion she demonstrates in her role as a HRC coach, it is clear that Hayley is a committed HRC member. She’s also made some great improvements to her own running over the last few weeks. |
| February | Amie Field | Amie was nominated for showing great commitment and determination to upping her training load, going from strength to strength and reaping the benefits by doing well in a number of events. She’s also a lovely lady and an avid supporter of HRC. |
| March | Chay Hopkins | Chay Hopkins was nominated for his fantastic performance in the Suffolk Winter Cross Country league, and retaining his 1st position from last year. |
| April | Tracy Pelling | Tracy is always a massive help to members with their training plans, taking people under her wing, giving lots of advice, and always smiling and very supportive. And to top it off, she’s a great runner too, having recently completed the London Marathon in a very respectable time. |
| May | Oliver Hughes | Oliver was a beginner just two years ago but has made phenomenal progress since then. He works incredibly hard to achieve his goals, fitting his running in around work and family, which has ultimately rewarded him with a fantastic time at the Milton Keynes Marathon of just 3.31 hours! He not only offers encouragement to others but seeks advice from more experienced runners. He can’t always get to Club sessions due to family commitments but he is HRC loyal. |
| June | Max Bell | Max is an enthusiastic runner who was part of the inspiration behind the development of the Junior Juniors, HRC’s new dedicated section for 8- to 11-year-old children. Max was nominated for the camaraderie he showed at the last Friday Five race in July. Max finished his race only then to run back to support his teammate who was emotional, offering them encouragement and helping them over the line. Max epitomised the HRC strap line, that we are truly ‘Running Stronger Together’. |
| July | Lewis Garstang | Lewis is improving his race times every event, recently claiming a new 5k PB at July’s Time Trial. He takes advice from the coaches and is a cheerful and positive member of the club. Lewis shows resilience and a super attitude which is helping his running success. Added to this Lewis is a a stalwart volunteer for HRC, regularly seen manning the cake stall or Gazebo advertising the club in the local community, often all day with his superstar Mum Lynnette Garstang. Well done Lewis, keep up the good work and congratulations! |
| August | Andrew Bell | Andrew has been a running club member for a very long time, and has even been the club chair in the past. He gets the MOM for August for taking on the role of Race Director for HRCs very successful 5k series event in Kedington. We are sure that everyone can agree it was a great event. Well done Andrew! |
| September | Jimmy Morrell | Jimmy has made great progress in his running over the last few months. Key achievements have included an awesome 10-mile PB at Felixstowe in a time of 1.15.49, a great run as part of HRC’s Round Norfolk Relay team, and the Stour Valley Ultra. He also ran his first ever marathon earlier this year in Brighton, with an impressive time of 3 hrs and 45 mins. Well done Jimmy! |
| October | Clare Fitzjohn and Chay Hopkins | Clare Fitzjohn – for absolutely smashing her first Marathon in Amsterdam by achieving a sub 3.40, giving her a ‘good for age’ qualifying time for the London Marathon in 2025, and all off the back of a leg injury! Chay Hopkins – 14th place, sub 33 minutes, and a spot on the leader board in the Cambridge Town & Gown. Then just one week later, a 70 minute Half Marathon, another spot on the leader board and a championship qualification for the London Marathon in 2025. An absolutely fantastic month for Chay. Well done to both of you! |
| November | Ethan Bolton | Ethan ran the Norwich Half Marathon in a fantastic time of 1hr 36mins. This was his first ever half marathon and his dedication to training for the race was impressive. Ethan has also very recently completed the Assistant Coaches course and will now be joining the JJ coaching team. Ethan should be proud of these achievements. which demonstrate commitment to both his running and to the club as a whole. Well done Ethan! |
| December | Amalie and Ethan Frisby-Bright | Brother and sister, Ethan (age 11) and Amalie (age 8.), are two wonderful runners. Both are JJ’s and both have been making great progress with their running over the last few months, representing the Club at loads of events, including the Run Through Foundation London 10, held on the 15th December at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Ethan came 4th and Amalie came 22nd. Great performances from these two and definitely ones to watch for in the future. Well done to both of you! |
Archive
Note: there were no Member of the Month awards in 2020 due to Covid lockdown.