ROYTON Road Runners held its annual presentation night at the Royton Brass Band and Musical Club on December 8.
Chairman Bryan Lawton summarised many of the club highlights and individual achievements of the past 12 months, ably assisted by vice-chairman David Emanuel.
Additionally, club president June Allingan presented a representative from local charity Maggie’s Centre with a cheque for £2,283.66, raised from quizzes and raffles the club organised throughout the year.
June also presented each of the group winners with their trophies and medals.
Members once again voted for Simon Howard as club runner of the year:
Simon devotes a great amount of his own time organising club training nights.
He is also one of the leaders of the Runtogether group, a section that progresses and trains those new to running, and helps them achieve their fitness and distance goals.
The presentation was followed by the raffle, with the main prize of an X Box donated by club runner Jason Keast, followed by a buffet supper and disco.
Some RRR runners went overseas in November to warmer weather, combining a relaxing sunshine break with running in the Benidorm 10K.
Even further afield was Hulya Whittaker who ran across two continents to complete the Istanbul marathon.
At this time of year, there is a willingness by some club runners to compete over different terrains in tougher conditions.
The recent wet weather means runners are now negotiating some very muddy pathways.
The fell championship Run the Moors season finished in November and congratulations to RRR’s Rob James who was the overall winner and Barry Greaves who was third in the male veteran 60 category.
The club also had a team compete in the Lee Mill relay event on November 25 when teams of four runners ran individual legs on a course arranged around the Lee Mill quarry above Bacup, in Lancashire.
The toughness of the course was evidenced by several runners who did not finish and two that had to be brought down by the mountain rescue team.
The Runners’ 2019 calendar starts with a first race in February.
It is an inclusive club with members from all areas of Oldham and Rochdale.
If you are interested in joining visit their website: www.roytonroadrunners.co.uk