Voting for our Volunteer Awards - have your say!

Club of the Year 

• Run Peterlee – They are a welcoming club for all levels, supporting runners to achieve their goals. The club have achieved 7/7 Club Standards and support local charities such as East Durham Veterans Trust with fundraising and providing run leaders for the local community. 

• Elvet Striders – They are a club welcoming runners across all disciplines from fell, cross country, road and track. The club have removed all barriers to participants, offering a concessionary rate to those facing financial difficulty. In the last 12 months the club has raised £1000+ and collated resources for the Rape Crisis Centre at a parkrun takeover. 

• East Durham Running Club – The club uses running to promote wellbeing by reducing isolation and improving fitness for all abilities. The club has a great community spirit, supporting other running clubs, marshalling at parkruns and helping local charities. There is a buddy system for C25k graduates to help them integrate into the club. 

Community Project of the Year 

• Emily Scott (Elvet Striders) – to mark the anniversary of being a sexual assault victim whilst on a run through Jubilee Park, Emily organised a takeover at the Jubilee parkrun raising £1000+ for a Rape Crisis Centre and collected toiletries to donate to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre. The club were blown away by Emily’s bravery and trust on confiding with club members to do good for the community. 

• Ben Palmer (Boro Runners) – Ben has been a vital part of the club community and has organised initiatives to raise money for local charities. After a member of the club collapsed and sadly passed away at one of the sessions, it really effected the club and Ben brought everyone together and ensured that members were supported in their grief. 

Club of the Year 

• Lions Running Community – a vibrant and enthusiastic club supporting beginners to marathon runners. Volunteers have flourished and remain dedicated with the club recently winning the Kings Award for Volunteering. The club also delivers funetics to engage with children, and supports those with disabilities through guided running sessions. 

• MadRunners – An inclusive community club supporting people aged 14 to masters. They help people to achieve their goals whether to complete one lap or run an ultramarathon. They are always present at races and parkruns and are one of the friendliest groups around. The  committee have worked hard to achieve all seven Club Standards. 

• Levenshulme Runners – After becoming an affiliated club in 2022, the club has gone from strength to strength with mor than 80 registered athletes and 100 people taking part in weekly runs. During the last year, the club has raised money to install a new defibrillator in the local community, and have also funded two run leaders to train as guide runners. 

Community Project of the Year 

• Paul McIntyre – Paul started the Dabbers Dash to show the local council the need to finish the perimeter path around a local park so residents could have a traffic-free route to exercise on. Dabbers Dash Community Project runs a monthly, free 5km walk, run, cycle or wheel around the local park in Nantwich. 

• Levenshulme Runners – Following discussions with a local community hub, the Club Committee organised a wide range of activities and we raised enough money to have a Defibrillator fitted. The project has helped raise awareness of the importance of defibrillators in saving lives and helped the club cement a position in the community as a force for good.
  

Club of the Year 

• Hyde Park Harriers – The club prides itself on being friendly and inclusive and works alongside the University of Leeds to offer free running sessions to students and members of the community. They offer 12 paced groups, a Run And Talk session and a non-running group for those who want to chat or have an injury. Members are celebrated in monthly awards for club contributions and non-running activities as well as athletic performance.

• Methley Striders Running Club – ‘No strider left behind’ and anyone regardless of age or experience is welcome. The club also improve the local community through litter picking and flower planting. A monthly social night supports members’ mental health, fosters camaraderie, and raises funds for charitable causes such as MNDA, MacMillan Cancer and Samaritans.

• Drighlington Dynamos Running Club – An inclusive community running club with the motto ‘no-one is left behind’. New members are personally welcomed to the club by the club chair and introduced to the Run Leader and members. They recognise a member of the month, and support runners from beginners to advanced – creating a real community feel.
  
  

Community Project of the Year 

• Methley Striders Running Club – After a change of committee members in 2023, the focus shifted to re-energise the club, increase membership and support the local community. Their aim has been to help the local community at 12 events. Members’ suggestions include litter picking, flower planting and food bank donations. 

• Airecentre Pacers Running Club – Airecentre Pacers organise an annual Boxing Day seven-mile trail race in the Chevin Forest. The club have increased the amount they donate from the race to local causes from £1250 in 2018 to £20,000 in 2023! This year they gave participants the chance to choose a t-shirt or a tree to be planted, which 400 runners did! 

Club of the Year 

• Lincs Run Club – This inclusive club has fostered a positive, encouraging environment which offers structured and coached sessions for members of all abilities. Their dedicated team of volunteers are there to support come rain or shine. They have recently raised over £1000 for St Barnabas through fundraising activity.  

• Diamond Runners – The club puts their members at the heart. To ensure everyone can afford to take part, they reduced membership from £52 to £15 with the added option of registering with England Athletics. They are a prominent part of the community, organising litter picks, menopause talks and supporting a local gym with a charity for knife crime.

• Harborough AC – A growing club now with over 300 members including 122 juniors. All members are given taster sessions and new runners will be given a buddy to make them feel at home. Their two welfare officers have put sustainability at the fore, encouraging car sharing, club kit is made from recycled material and old kit is donated via JogOn.

Community Project of the Year 

• Harborough AC – This club collaborates with local primary schools to promote National School Sports Week. Pupils were encouraged throughout the week to take part in 60 minutes of sport, PE and play delivered by the club chair and junior coaching team which has led to increased interest in holiday camps. 

• Lincs Run Club – Club members have supported events to make a real difference to people at St Barnabas hospice. This included guided runs around the Heart trail, a club 10k trail race, Lincoln’s Torchlight parade, and the Club Chair ran 5k every hour for 24 hours with support from club members and the wider running community joining in throughout the challenge.
• Mansfield Harriers – the annual Come and Have a Go Day showcases the track and facilities and provides an opportunity for the community to experience athletic activities in a fun environment, promote the club, and recruit new members. Visitors can see the impact of £160k investment made by the club to refurbish the facilities  following 10 years of  no maintenance of the track.

Club of the Year 

• Peel Road Runners – Prospective members can have taster runs with a run buddy before committing to join. The Committee have worked hard to ensure compliance with Club Standards. There are mental health runs, an annual ‘Gate Gallop’ charity event – organised by Peel volunteers – litter picks and club-led running sessions in schools.
• Shropshire Shufflers – Members enjoy free track nights, and  coaches are provided with a free licence to access run resources. New LiRFs are mentored by coaches before leading solo. 14 guide runners have qualified to support visually impaired members and guests. The Club’s Shufflette e-magazine delivers communication to members. The club funded a defibrillator at their track.
• City of Birmingham Striders – The diverse mix of members creates a rich, supportive environment. The leadership team are approachable, open to suggestions, and ready to assist. Members get together for activities such as brunch, dinners, parkruns and hiking. COBS has co-hosted a xc league event, supported marshalling at Road Relays, organised volunteer takeovers at parkruns and grown a supportive welfare team.

Community Project of the Year 

• Kids Run Redditch – The group get involved in carnivals, supporting communities such as Rainbows and Scouts to more traditional kid’s races. They initiate free simple ideas – from providing hundreds of children with stickers and medals, to getting the whole family active on the track. They seek partnerships within the community, and signpost members into other groups.
• Penkridge Runners – Over £50k has been raised over the years through contributions and challenges including a community relay in which the Monckton Recreational Centre and Penkridge First Responders both benefited. Profits from their inaugural (and sold out) 10k road race, estimated at around £8k, will go towards local charities. Penkridge Runners provide support for members struggling with mental health.

Club of the Year

• Avon Valley Runners – The Goal Getters scheme stands out – members are mentored by another club member, providing a friendly face to support, encouragement and advice. The committee reviewed club policies to ensure they are reflective of the current club stance. The club’s volunteer briefing packs for the Wiltshire Half Marathon were used as best practice examples. AVR have invested in two CiRF and 6 LiRF qualifications, expanding options for training offerings.
• Poole Runners – Junior membership growth is due to a feeling of belonging and a fun factor. Taster competitions enable young athletes to practice techniques in a friendly, competitive but relaxed environment. A committee member is dedicated to new senior joiners. A walk group was added to club run night for those who want to participate but are unable to run. Parents are encouraged to assist at sessions, many going on to gain qualifications.
• Yate and District AC –  An inclusive club run by fantastic volunteers with competition opportunities at all levels and coaches travelling to support athletes. 8 new officials joined 32 existing officials this year and parent volunteer numbers have increased. There is a growing adaptive athletics training and competition programme and race chairs and seated throws frames have been purchased from fundraising. Communication via the website and social media is excellent!

Community Project of the Year

• Clevedon AC – They got involved in the food bank run initiative in 2023 and repeated it again in 2024. The club also arranged a tour with the food bank manager to learn more about how it operated and why there was such need for projects like this. The club work with other local clubs and support town initiatives, plus club engagement helped to raise awareness of the work they do.
• Tavistock AC –The club worked with Tavistock College to get the track repaired after a major fire which destroyed equipment and damaged the surface. The club established an agreement to fund repairs – a new track surface and markings are now complete. The club continue to raise money and train on the facility. There is a sense of a positive outcome to a story of wanton damage.

Club of the Year 

• Cambridge & Coleridge AC – C&C has participant and development coaching for youngsters, a disability group, a women’s group, new and recreational runner sessions, and coaching in all the main athletic disciplines. There are over 80 volunteers including technical officials. An integrated second location in Saffron Walden ensures athletics is now available for a community which had no facilities. A Trust Fund helps athletes. The senior T&F team were promoted as SAL champions.
• Saint Edmund Pacers – Potential members get a 3-week tailored free trial and a running buddy. Investment enabled 6 existing volunteers to become coaches. An autistic runner received the mentoring needed to pass LiRF – and now successfully leads sessions. 5 licensed races were held and £3500 was raised for charities. A new website showcases the club, and signposts information.
• Werrington Joggers – All are equally welcomed and encouraged to volunteer, especially at their annual 3k and 5k event. Partially sighted members and qualified running guides go out together. Newcomers are accompanied on their first run by an experienced club member. Members organise local food bank collections, and donate old running shoes to homeless groups. WJ are helping other clubs complete outstanding Club Standards.

   Community Project of the Year 

• Stevenage and North Herts AC Holiday Provision – SNHAC gained funding and provided Summer and Easter holiday provision for hundreds of young people including both paid places and for those on free school meals. Youngsters can access events schools can’t provide and enjoy athletics. Many join the club and coaches can identify those who would benefit from club hardship funding.
• Mo Park (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) – Mo Park has played a major role in all aspects of a project to build a track adjacent to Carver Barracks, while continuing to coach, and sit on the Cambridge and Coleridge Committee. Mo established a C&C sister club (the facility is for both army and public use) – providing a new source of volunteers, coaches, and officials.

Club of the Year 

• Edmonton RC – A small club big on positive energy! They now have 5 trained run leaders, plus aim to grow membership to 150 and have a qualified coach by the end of 2024. They have invested in First Aid training and fostered collaborative relations with other local clubs. The Club has made rapid progress to comply with the 7 Club Standards.
• Tooting Running Club – A free community outreach running club focused on boosting local participation and promoting physical activity, breaking down barriers like financial constraints and lone running safety concerns. Participants with disabilities, such as autism and blindness, are well supported. There is a free C25k group and free yoga and Strength and Conditioning classes.
• Ruislip RC – members pride themselves on an inclusive and welcoming community where runners of all abilities and backgrounds feel valued and supported. Successes are celebrated, offer encouragement during tough times. Post-run drinks and lunches and volunteer opportunities, foster a strong sense of community and connection.

Community Project of the Year 

• TrailFam – TrailFam has bridged the gap between city and nature, providing access to trail running through volunteering opportunities, residential trips to national parks in the UK and life changing training weeks in the Alps. The experiences promote social equality, improved mental health and foster a more inclusive and health-conscious London youth.
• Black Girls Do Run UK – BGDRUK have been supporting and inspiring black women of all ages and abilities to run. Women who have never run before are now running 5 and 10k’s, marathons and ultra marathons. By the inspiration of founding members and their peers, black women are more confident to take up running because they see themselves.

Club of the Year 

• Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC – 100% volunteer-led, BMHAC encourages new volunteers to be part of an inclusive club for aspiring athletes. Coaches provide tailored support for all abilities, helping them achieve success on their terms. A buddy system supports veterans and road runners. BMHAC collaborates with local education institutions, supporting disabled athletes. After 10 years of fundraising, a new sustainable clubhouse has been built.
• Fareham Running Club – Fareham RC has always put inclusivity and diversity as their top priority; the website and social media focus on this to ensure that everyone can feel welcome. After their first Foodbank Run in 2018, 2023 saw the club roll out the programme nationally and 500+ clubs participate. The first England Athletics club to have Run and Talk Champions, the club hold regular Run and Talk sessions.
• Thanet Roadrunners AC – Thanet Roadrunners encourage people to run through welcoming beginners and keeping their annual fee low. Membership has grown to 180, in an economically deprived area. The club has supported training  for leaders to 6 different paced groups, hills, track, long run and 3 junior sessions. Several weekly runs have a social element after the run, to support mental wellbeing.

Community Project of the Year 

• Reading Joggers – Money raised by the club has allowed Brookfields School to provide equipment for children with learning difficulties. Members also supported the school’s Christmas Fayre, and turned an overgrown area into a space ready for the children to plant fruit and vegetables. A quiz and raffle night added to runners’ race sponsorship monies. A long-term partnership of  support between club and school has now been established.
• Fareham Running Club – Fareham RC started the nationwide movement of the Food Bank Run- seeing thousands of runners now running to their local Food Bank. The club have worked hard to spread awareness of Food Banks and also have their own annual Food Bank Run with hundreds of their club runners. The running community helping the local community!