MICHAELS RECORD ACHIEVEMENT AWARDED AT PRESENTATION NIGHT

Sunderland Harrier Michael Wilson won the top award at the club’s presentation night, held in conjunction with the annual meeting at Lakeside Social Club on Monday.

The middle distance runner broke the long standing 400m record of Nicholas Watson from 1993 (48.8), in clocking 47.79 while a student in the States.

He also represented Britain in the World Student Games in Naples, Italy, finishing fifth in the 1500m.

Michaels Record Achievement Awarded At Presentation Night.

The Seaham athlete also won the award for the best 1500m/One mile performance with his 3.43.19 and now goes second on the 1500m club all time ranking list.

The best senior female was judged to be Jenna Wilkinson for dipping below 1.30 for the first time in a half marathon (89.09) at the Vitality Half Greenwich, with nearly a 5.00 min PB. She improved on that time in the Great North Run with her 88.02 clocking.

The leading veteran was Over- 40 Ian Dixon for his victories in the Raby Castle 10k, Hamsterley Forest Run and winning his category in the Tynedale 10m and Morpeth 10k.

Christine Elliott claimed the female veterans’ award for her performances in breaking long-standing North East records at Jarrow in the NEMAA championships. This included the discus 18.4, shot 6.82, and javelin. She also added more North East records in the European Masters Championships in Venice.

Paul McLachlan was the most improved athlete, improving his 5k time from 20.03 to 17.44, 10k from 41.18 to 37.26 and half marathon from 95.14 to 85.40.

Best newcomer was Liam Taylor who has won many races since joining the Harriers. They were the Penshaw Hill race, Lambton 10km, Sunshine 5km, Tynedale 10km and Dalton Park 10k. He also led the club to Northern silver in Sunderland 5k and in wins in Durham Summer Relays and Signals Relays.

Allan McManus was the volunteer of the year for offering club members an introduction to trail running at his sessions at Penshaw and Silksworth. Through this, the club has benefitted by a number of new members and coaches.

Young Athletes Merit Awards winners were Under-20 Jordan Beavers who won five events with a number of personal bests in the National Association of  Boys and Girls Clubs Championships at  Manchester with wins in the 60m (7.2), 200m (22.4), long jump (6.54m), shot (8.73m) and triple jump (13.17m).

Boys - Under15: Dillon Revell who represented Durham at the English Schools Cross Country Championships. He also recorded an 800m PB of 2.08.91 for a grade two standard.

Jak Javis won most of his graded races on the track in the North East Grand Prix. He made great progress in his athletics, improving his middle distance PBs from 2.45.99 for 800m to 2.30.7 and his 1500 PB from 6.28 to 5.06.

Under-13 Joe Wills triumphed in the 60m (9.0), 200m (28.7) and 800m (2.44.3) at Manchester.
Under-11 Isabel Maher had a number of top10 finishes in the Harrier League as a first year in the age group.