Wiltshire Athletics Awards
Wiltshire Athletic Association hosted the 2017 Wiltshire Athletics Awards at Doric Park in Trowbridge. The event which was sponsored by Wiltshire and Swindon Sport (WASP) recognised the best athletes in the county and those that make athletics happen in Wiltshire.
The first award presented was for the Senior Male athlete of the year and was awarded to Tom Gale of Team Bath with Simon Nott of Calne Running Club and Michael Towler of Avon Valley Runners both Highly Commended. The Senior Female athlete of the year was awarded to Polly Maton of Moonrakers AC who represented Team GB at the Paralympics in Rio last year. Both Hannah Claydon of Swindon Harriers and Zoe Mattocks of Team Bath AC were highly commended.
The award for Young Male Athlete of the year was awarded to Rory Howorth of Team Bath AC with Robert Jones of New Forest Junior AC and Will Crisp of Swindon Harriers both Highly Commended. The Young Female Athlete of the year was awarded to Molly Hole of Salisbury A&RC with the Team Bath pair of Imogen Dawe-Lane and Jenna Blundell both Highly Commended.
The award for the Male Veteran Athlete of the year went to Ultra-distance runner Damian Hall of Corsham Running Club with Phil Harding of Avon Valley Runners and Simon Rawlins of Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds both Highly Commended. The Female Veteran athlete of the year went to Avon Valley Runner’s Ruth Barnes with club mate Jaqueline Rockliffe and Denise Nott of Calne Running Club both Highly Commended.
The Coach of the year award went to Julie Alexander of Team Bath AC with Dave Amey from City of Salisbury and Rich Ayling from Avon Valley Runners the runners up. For the Official of the year award, Nigel Grist proved to be a popular choice with Di Viles and Steve Hutchinson both of Team Bath AC Highly Commended.
Unsung Hero of the year was awarded to Alison Phillips of Team Bath AC with Darren Wrintmore of Avon Valley Runners and Mark Rogers of Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds both Highly Commended.
The Club initiative of the year award was presented to recognise an initiative setup by a club to improve athletics in the area. This award went to Corsham Running Club for their "One Mile Club" with the Calne Running Club "Sofa to 5K programme" and the Avon Valley Runners Beginners programme both short listed for recognition.
The Race of the year was presented to the Race Director of the Heddington 5K Race Series organised by Calne Running Club with the St Georges 10K organised by Corsham Running Club and the "Over the Hills" race organised by Avon Valley Runners both Highly Commended.
The event showed that athletics is thriving well in Wiltshire and that we are producing a good number of athletes that are able to hold their own on a regional, national and for some an international level. Behind these athletes is a good community of coaches, officials and volunteers enabling the sport to progress in the county. The category winners will be put forward by Wiltshire Athletic Association to the England Athletics awards that take place later in the year and also to the Wiltshire Sports Awards that take place in October.
To see the short listed winners and those that were highly commended, please click here
