POSH FROCKS AND PERSONAL BESTS

The blue vests were replaced by posh frocks and dinner jackets on Saturday night writes Di Cross ...as the City of Salisbury Athletics & Running Club (CoSARC) enjoyed its annual awards dinner at St John Place – in the company of five-times Olympian and European 10,000-metre gold medallist Jo Pavey MBE. Jo – who told guests how “Running is my passion” – discussed her long career and answered questions from guests, before presenting the awards for:

Female cross country runner of the year:

Sian Thomas

Male cross country runner of the year:

Richard Davidson

Junior female cross country runner of the year:

Louise Webb

Junior male cross country runner of the year:

Henry Dix

Female road runner of the year:

Ruth Holloway

Male road runner of the year:

Stuart Holloway

Female most improved athlete of the year:

Helen Carlton

Male most improved athlete of the year:

Benedict Saunby

Female track & field athlete of the year:

Emma Clarke

Male track & field athlete of the year:

Richard Holt

Junior Female track & field athlete of the year:

Skye Allen

Junior male track & field athlete of the year:

Joshua Dyer

New member of the year:

Grace Cousins

Female participant of the year:

Denise von Roretz

Male participant of the year:

Vasen Moodley

Coach of the year:

Craig Weatherburn

Official of the year:

Andy Webb

Volunteer of the year:

Jill Coles

Before concluding, Jo received flowers from one of the club’s young stars, Bea Wood, who was also celebrating success this week. Bea won the Intermediate Girls event at the Wiltshire Schools Athletic Association Cross Country Championship at Sheldon School in Chippenham in 13:49, nearly a minute ahead of her nearest rival. She was followed by the club’s Isabella Wolsey in 4th, Jade Griscti in 10th and Alicia Finnis in 15th.

To make it a double for the club, Lukas Bailey took the Intermediate Boys award in 19:43, with Guy Mitchell following him in 6th.

In the Senior Boys, Henry Dix took 14th; in the Junior Boys Otto Jenner was 18th; Olivia Glover was 8th in the Junior Girls and Zoe Thomas 10th; Neve Cousins was 6th Year 7 Girl and Amelia Brace 36th; and Toby Halsey and Joseph Holme were 24th and 38th respectively in the Year 7 Boys.

The Chepstow Speedway 10k produced another CoSARC triumph, with Verity Ockenden taking the honours in a new course best.

At the London Indoor Games at Lee Valley, Alex Mundell ran a PB of 2:15 to finish 16th in the U20 and Senior Women’s 800m, while Nick Bruce also ran a PB, finishing in 1:58 in the U20 and Senior Men’s 800m.

Meanwhile, Jaymee Domoney opened his indoor season in the USA running for Charleston Southern University with an impressive 13 second PB in the 3000m at the Gamecock Opener in Columbia, South Carolina last Friday evening. His time of 08:29:66 ranks him 13th internationally for the event this year.

Stepping up from metres to miles, Jenny Hartley completed the challenging Beyond the Far Side 24-hour ultra. “The most ridiculous amount of mud I’ve ever seen,” said the hardy runner, who covered 74.2 miles with 11,900ft of elevation to take the 2nd woman spot and 5th overall.

Pictures (left to right descending) - credit James Ballard

1 Olympic runner Jo Pavey presents Sian Thomas and Richard Davidson with their awards for CoSARC cross country runners of the year

2 Olympic runner Jo Pavey presents Grace Cousins with the CoSARC new member of the year award

3 Newly weds Stuart and Ruth Holloway receive their awards for CoSARC male and female road runner of the year from Olympic runner Jo Pavey

4 Olympic runner Jo Pavey presents Emma Clarke and Richard Holt with their awards for CoSARC track & field stars of the yea

5 CoSARC’s successful track & field team receive an award from Olympian Jo Pavey

7 Denise von Roretz was voted CoSARC Female participant of the year; receiving her award from Olympian Jo Pavey

(8) Jaymee Domoney putting in an impressive performance in the US