Daniel Waples and Niamh Bailey scooped the top awards at the Kettering Town Harriers annual presentation evening. The town’s Cornmarket Hall was packed for the occasion, as County Councillor Matt Lynch, who has secured significant funding for the club, presented the cups and trophies, many of which date back to before the War.
Daniel took home the Boyfield Family Trophy as Male Athlete of the Year, in recognition of his performances as a race walker, an event in which he has represented England internationally. Niamh was rewarded with the female equivalent, after a superb track and field season, which included County Championship wins at 100m, 300m and High Jump.
Niamh also received four other track and field awards, whilst also earning four trophies were Hayley Munn and Jonny Goringe. Amongst other achievements, Hayley was Midland Junior Cross Country Champion whilst Jonny was the club’s top points scorer in the Midland Track and Field League.
Two new cups were donated by Rodgers Coaches for the most promising young sprinters. These were awarded to Bradley Fox (under 15) and Jodie Harris (under 13).
Two other young athletes shared the Fancourt Sprints Shield for the best overall sprint performance by a female. Grace Linnett and Tabatha Walford broke or equalled all of the club Under 11 sprint records and ended the season holding two records each and sharing another.
A welcome visitor on the evening was Paul Thompson. A member of the Harriers, Paul is based in the USA and was top over-40 finisher in the New York half marathon in March. He received the Underwood Cup for the most outstanding performance in Road Running.
It was good to see the Oram Trophy awarded this year; Matt Smith picked it up as the first KTH finisher in the Cransley Hospice 10K race.
A full list of award winners can be found at Records and awards (keep scrolling down!).