THE CLUB held its annual presentation evening on Saturday to recognise and reward performances of individual members for their efforts during the 2015 season.  The shortlist was nominated by the club captains and vice-captains and all members placed their votes on the night.

Carl Chapman won the Male Athlete of the Year award while Jayne Henderson won Female Athlete of the Year.  Kevin Saville was voted Most Improved Male Athlete while Malou Lonsdale was crowned Most Improved Female Athlete of the year.

Best newcomer to the club was Mark Nichol, North East Masters Athletics Association (NEMAA) trophy was jointly presented to Percy Parkin and Jayne Henderson while club Chairman Graham Laverick was awarded the Captain’s trophy for his endless dedication, support and contribution to the club.  Gerry Hehir walked away with two accolades.  He won the Marathon trophy for his four marathon performances last year and also Club Person of the Year for running Thursday’s night training sessions, which are becoming very popular with members.

The President’s trophy which Gordon Hope decided and presents himself was awarded to Caroline Teasdale.

A good turnout of Crookites attended the NEMAA cross country fixture at Wallsend on Saturday and put in some sterling performances.  The ladies completed three laps of this tricky course which saw Helene Rusby first Crook runner home in 26:27 in pos 23 closely followed by Jane Henderson in 27:17 in pos 28 and Sharron Hogarth in 31:57 in pos 51.  The men 65 plus also ran with the ladies and saw George Cawkwell finish in 32:37 in pos 10 while Allen Purdham finished in 38:18 in pos 18 and won an individual bronze medal in the 75-79 category.

The men’s race took in four laps and saw Carl Chapman finish in second position overall in a time of 29:26 and also first in his age category.  Second Crook runner home was David Best in 32:06 in 15th pos, Wayne Pearson in 34:18 in pos 30, Peter Clough in 35:02 in pos 36, Jason Bridgewater in 35:12 in pos 38, Craig Downs in 35:19 in pos 40, Paul Brennan in 36:45 in pos 53, Geoff Hewitson in 38:21 in pos 66, Graham Laverick in 42:36 in pos 96 and Gerry Hehir in 46:41 on pos 101.  Carl Chapman, David Best and Craig Downs secured silver medals for Crook AC in the team 35-44 category while Geoff Hewitson, Graham Laverick and Gerry Hehir also picked up medals for their age category.  

In the Saturday morning parkruns, Tony Murray is proving he is back to his best by finishing Albert parkrun in an impressive 16:16 in first place while Brian Ford finished in 168th position at Durham in 27:27 and Elizabeth Wood completed Hackworth in 21:50 (4th pos).  At Sedgefield, Michael Lloyd finished in 23:59 (50th pos) and Matthew Hargraves finished in 27:36 in 101st pos).  At Riverside, Jason Allison was first to lead the Crook troops home in 19:03 (8th pos) followed by Kevin Saville in 20:30 (17th pos), David Goodfellow in 25:57 (97th pos), Elizabeth Allison in 31:52 (207th pos), Victoria Manifold and Lynsey Manifold both crossed the line in 34:51 in pos 244 and 245 respectively while Steve Manifold completed the run in 34:56 in pos 246.

Club captain Robert Teasdale headed to Yorkshire for the Dewsbury 10K on Sunday morning as part of his training for the Cardiff World Championships Half marathon at the end of March.  He completed the out and back route in 36:21 in 56th position.

Emilie Clark, Evon Domvike, Ethan Welsh and Ashton Bridgewater have been selected to represent County Durham in the Regional SportsHall Championships in March following their efforts at Sedgefield a couple of weeks ago.

In the Junior parkrun at Sedgefield on Sunday, Chloe Fairclough was first to cross the line in 8.34, while Evon Domville 9.17 (7th pos), Ethan Franks 9.22 (9th pos), Ethan Welsh 9.49 (12th pos), Sophie Hauxwell 10.04 (16th pos), Harvey Franks 10.21 (19th pos), Kian Domville 10.25 (21st pos), Nathan Askwith 12.38 (49th pos) and Tilly Hauxwell 15.21 (94th pos).

Crook AC meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening at Peases West, Crook at 6.15pm.  Junior sessions are held on Thursday’s at 6.00pm.  For more information, please visit www.crookac.co.uk or follow us on Twittter at @crookac

Submitted by Craig Downs