The Sleaford Striders Presentation Evening took place on 6 March at Leasingham Village Hall, with 45 members attending. The evening began with a collage of photographs celebrating Striders’ achievements and memorable moments from the past year.
1000 Mile Awards
The first awards of the evening recognised members who had achieved impressive annual mileage totals.
- Bronze Medal: 500–750 miles
- Silver Medal: 750–1000 miles
- Gold Medal: Over 1000 miles
The Highest Mileage Trophy was awarded to Alan Oliver.
Cross Country Award
In 2025, no male athletes competed in the cross-country series, and only one female athlete completed the required three out of four races.
🏆 Female Cross Country Winner:
Marie Thorpe
Handicap Series Awards
The Handicap Series Awards were presented by Bryan Brockington, who organises the series.
Prizes included:
- 3rd place: £20 voucher
- 2nd place: £30 voucher
- 1st place: £50 voucher and a trophy
Results
Ladies
1st – Beth W-D
2nd – Holly Carter
3rd – Mandy Southern
Men
1st – Jim Miller
2nd – Andrew Stevens
3rd – Alan Buckberry
Race Series Awards
Graham Riddell presented the Race Series Awards. In recognition of their dedication, all runners who completed the entire series received a bottle of wine.
🏆 Series Winners
- 1st Lady: Fiona Hudson
- 1st Male: Andrew Stevens
Refreshment Break
Members then enjoyed a well-earned break and a buffet provided by Jayne’s Pantry and Green Treats.
Athlete of the Year Awards
These awards were voted for by club members, with a total of 72 votes cast.
🏆 Female Athlete of the Year: Fiona Hudson
Nominees: Sara Tones, Ruth Treharne, Anna Thompson
🏆 Male Athlete of the Year: Andrew Stevens
Nominees: Andrew Stevens, Philippe Leroy, Alan Oliver, Robert Page
Sleaford Strider of the Year
Presented by Vice Chairman Steve Gyles, this award recognises outstanding contribution to the club.
🏆 Winner: Stephen Linden-Wyatt
Stephen received many nominations from members, particularly recognising his commitment in stepping into the role of Club Chairman.
Chairperson of the Year
After much discussion, Steve Gyles and the Chairman agreed the Chairperson of the Year Award should go to:
🏆 Graham Riddell
This recognised the significant time and effort Graham has dedicated to organising and running the club’s Race Series.
Jim Hopkins Award
This year marked a first for the Jim Hopkins Award, as it was shared between two winners. Rather than splitting the trophy, the club purchased one for each recipient.
🏆 Sarah O’Brien
🏆 Gem Louise
Both winners gave up their Saturday to assist a fellow Strider who had fallen during a race and required hospital treatment. Sarah and Gem ensured the injured member was safely taken to and from A&E, demonstrating exceptional support and club spirit.
A Great Evening for the Club
Overall, the evening was a thoroughly enjoyable celebration of the club’s achievements and community spirit.
Congratulations to all award winners, and thank you to everyone who helped make the evening such a success.
