THE annual awards dinner is a highlight of the Farnham Runners’ calendar and 86 members and guests gathered at the Village Hotel, Farnborough for the 2018 event.  

They were welcomed by club chairman Jacquie Browne who, in particular, thanked her predecessor, Richard Sheppard. “He is a huge ambassador for the club and has supported, encouraged and mentored most of us at some time,” she said.

“He has been a member for years and has held many positions on the committee. He even came home with the Club Handicap in 2008, storming round the course as Spiderman.” She presented him with an engraved tankard in recognition of his service.

‘Shep’ then excelled as MC as Jacquie presented the many trophies.

The prestigious Steve Parker Award for the member who did most for the club during the year went to Spencer Barfield. Involved in many club activities, his major contribution was perhaps to open a soup kitchen at the Southern Cross Country League race at The Bourne. Despite all that the weather could throw at them, Farnham Runners were able to feed 400 runners, marshals and spectators.

Other presentations:

Chairman’s Award (personal progress) – Alison Mungall; Smiley Award (enthusiasm) – Ali Hardaway; Senior Service to Sport (Farnham Sports Awards) – Craig Tate-Grimes; Coach of the Year – Jane Georghiou. Jane Georghiou Trophy (ladies’ marathon) – Sarah Hill (seventh consecutive year); Paul Charlton Memorial Trophy (men’s marathon) – Stuart Williamson; Herbie Memorial Trophy (men’s improvement) – Terry Steadman; Prince Trophy (ladies’ improvement) – Jackie Wilkinson; Handicap Trophy – Susan MacKenzie.

Grand Prix top 5: men – James Clarke, Andrew Ellison, Neil Ambrose, John Phillips, Ali Hardaway; ladies – Eloise Stradling, Emma Russ, Kayleigh Copeland, Linda Tyler, Emma Pearson.

Hampshire Road Race League most PB times (trophies presented by men’s road captain John Phillips): men – Neil Ambrose, James Clarke, Craig Tate-Grimes, Harvey Wickham; ladies – Pauline Hamilton, Emma Pearson, Anne Snelson, Linda Tyler.

Hampshire Road Race League winners’ mugs: James Clarke, Neil Ambrose, Ali Hardaway, John Phillips, Chris Cramp, Eloise Stradling, Jane Georghiou.

Southern Cross-Country League appearances: 6 – Lindsay Bamford, Kayleigh Copeland, Kay Copeland, Jane Georghiou, Eloise Stradling, Linda Tyler, Neil Ambrose, Stuart Haig, Damian Probett; 5 – Craig Tate-Grimes.

• A raffle raised £435 towards the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. The Village Hotel donated 10 per cent of bar takings to take the total to £600.

• Richard Sheppard announced that from 2001 to 2017, Farnham Runners raised a superb total of £227,000 in marathon sponsorship.