King's Birthday Honours celebrating athletics volunteers
The King's Birthday Honours celebrated the contributions of some of our sport's volunteers and administrators. We got in touch with Stuart Storey and Mandy Goth; two recipients who are involved in grassroots athletics in England - and who have made great strides in club and faciliy improvements.
Stuart Storey received an MBE. Better known perhaps as an athlete and commentator, Stuart was recognised for his role in thecreation of the Wodson Park Sports and Recreation facility where he has been involved in as Chair of the two main Committees for 35 years. He told us:
"It’s a humbling experience and an honour I will cherish."
Mandy Goth received a British Empire Medal. She is a mountain runner and was Todmorden Harriers Running Club Chair for 26 years. She coaches runners in how to navigate safely in the mountains and now leads a beginners' running group within the club.
Stuart's athletics journey: full circle through the sport
1965 was the year Stuart left Loughborough College and experienced his first international athletics opportunity for England against East Germany in Berlin. That kick started his route through to the 1968 Olympic Games and then on to the BBC television commentary team.
Stuart covered 9 Olympic Games with the BBC, and London 2012 with the broadcasting service of the IOC. He continued covering the Diamond League until retiring in 2017 when he was also inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame.
It was his high profile commentary role that helped him in 1983 to entice individuals, groups such as Rotary, and businesses such as Glaxo plus many professionals giving their time freely along with help from the Sports Council (Sport England) to help to raise the money needed to complete phase one of the Wodson project. The Park opened on 15 September 1989 and set up as a Trust.
The project is still ongoing with phase two complete and its fitting that the 'Stuart Storey Track' at Wodson Park opened by Seb Coe is the place Stuart now finds himself every Tuesday and Thursday evening and Saturday morning coaching all or some of a squad of 10 athletes.
"As one of the coaches with the Herts Phoenix Athletics Club, it is so satisfying to give back to the sport which gave so much to me over the years."
Stuart finishes with a great insight on his athletics journey in England!
"I began my career with England in 1965 and I’m back with England as a coach in my retirement."
Mandy: a life revolved around running
Mandy joined Todmorden Harriers in 1987 and within a year was Chair. She reports her life has revolved around Todmorden Harriers, fell running and mountaineering.
"I am not a fast runner but I am tough, resilient and I can navigate, and as a result have enjoyed success in numerous mountain marathons some in horrendous conditions."
Mountain running highlights include her successful Bob Graham round in 1996 and Joss Naylor challenges in the 50 and 60 age category. She was the first woman to complete 21 Ben Nevis races being awarded the Conochie plaque (77 men had previously been awarded with this). Mandy also organises races and has stood on many finish funnels over the years! Mandy, her husband and club members organised the Jura fell race for 5 years.
"Most of my friends are from the club. We are very much a community and very inclusive. I have enjoyed every moment and pride myself on knowing most of the members by name."
More recently Mandy set up a beginners' group on a Monday night to encourage slower and new runners who would otherwise be reluctant to join a running club.
"The Couch to 5k group has been incredibly rewarding to myself and the other volunteers."
In addition Britain's first black female Olympian Anita Neil received an MBE for services to athletics. She represented Great Britain at the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games. She also won a silver relay medal for England at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games and two European bronzes in the previous year. Read more in her local Northampton newspaper.
There were MBEs for those who work within the sporting arena:
International Para-Athletics Classifier Penny Broomhead , and Michelle Weltman who is Head of Disability at London marathon Events were honoured for services to International Disability Sport with Michelle additionally for services to the LGBTQI Sporting community in London. Esther Britten from UK Sport and Lisa O'KEEFE from Sport England are recognised for services to sport.
Stuart Storey and Anita Neil photos by Mark Shearman, Mandy Goth photos with permission