North Endurance Awards 2023
Our 2023 awards celebrated and acknowledged the amazing achievements of so many of our coached athletes, members and the fantastic community we continue to grow.
On behalf of our coaching team, thank you to everyone who has been a part of another great year! Our volunteer activators who have led run sessions in my absence, and people who regularly help lead groups informally. To everyone who helps organise and share Zwift sessions, group rides, runs, and inviting others along to train and race. To everyone who’s supported us and trusted us to coach them, bought kit to represent our club, and to all the new and regular faces, who turn up and take part in our weekly run sessions. Your contribution is key to the culture and community we continue to cultivate.
Disclaimer:
As always, there are too many people, races, PB’s and results to mention. We do our best, and we try to distribute the awards each year to acknowledge as many people as we can, not simply the ‘fastest’ and ‘furthest’. Sport and participation is about more than that. Likewise, awards are biased towards those who can attend, which makes for a better evening. Highlights of an epic year are below. Enjoy!
male runner of the year
Notable Mentions
Fabian Devlin
Represent NI in the Anglo-Celtic Plate 100km. Finished 25th Overall in 08:00:22 (4:48km Average)
3rd Team at Tattenhall Runners Tough Team
Top quarter finish at 100km UTMB CCC 18:59:35
37th at 100km UTMB Kullamanen in 11:15:35
Bradley Williams
2nd Liverpool South 10km - 35:34
3rd in his first XC series race
1:18 Liverpool Half Marathon
2:44:18 Manchester Marathon
16:45 Liverpool Spring 5km
1:15:45 PB Manchester Half Marathon
5th PLS 10km in 35:44
2:44:18 Chester Marathon
Neil Smith
1:47 at Liverpool Half (17-minute PB)
23:04 Mystery Park 5km
4:18 marathon debut at Chester
Paul Squires
1:29 PB at Liverpool Half joining the sub 1:30 club
3:22:33 Manchester Marathon
19:11 Mystery Park 5km
Top 50 Sandstone Trail A Race in 2:45:53
Snowdon Marathon
Terry Lynch
1:36 Half Marathon PB at Liverpool finishing 21st V50+
First Ultra Maraton at Sandstone Trail Challenge
3:44:29 at Chester, just outside his best
Plus other road, trail and fell races… sometimes I can’t keep up!
Ant Mcloughlin
1:19:30 Half Marathon Pb at Wilmslow
3:06 Manchester Marathon
Tough Team
4th Tatton Park 10km
2nd Overall at Run Aintree in 38:26
Finally joined the SUB 3 club with a 2:58:03 at the Chester Marathon
Winner - Joe McCarthy
This backwards cap-wearing youngster has had a mention at our awards each year. He’s ever-present, always pushing, boxing off each squad session under the radar, and has continued to challenge himself year after year over a variety of terrain and distances. I’d like to think this award not only acknowledges his efforts throughout the year but over the last three years.
Grizedale Trail Marathon 44th
6th M50 at Parbold Fell Race
Equalled his best at Yorkshire 3 Peaks Fell Race
Won the V50+ category in his first Ultra Marathon in the Sandstone Trail Challenge. 33 miles in 5:58 securing 18th overall.
Great team effort at Tattenhall Runners Tough Team
3:12:11 Marathon PB at Chester, going sub 3:15 for the first time, earning the right to qualify for an England Masters vest.
Female runner of the yeaR
Notable Mentions
Claire Meadows
Another year of endless racing and boundless positivity and support
Stepped beyond 5km later into the year with Birkenhead 5 Mile and Knutsford 10km
Nasra Deria
Rome Marathon
Thames Path 100
Gisburn Forest Trail Half Marathon
1:14:18 Half Marathon PB in Warrington
3:47 Lisbon Marathon
9th Female and 1st AG at the Delamere Trail Marathon
Karen Doyle
Karen doesn’t like racing, I’ve found at least one result where she’s pinned on a number.
She’s been ever-present at Cross Country, Tuesday training and I’m sure a few local races.
1:54:25 at Warrington Half Marathon
Sarah Toal
1:39:58 Wrexham Half Marathon
1:39 at Liverpool Half
3:31 London Marathon, taking over 5 minutes off her PB and getting her Boston Qualifier time.
3:39 at Chicago Marathon
Winner – Hannah Morrow
Hannah has PBd over all distances throughout the year. Most recently 5km, all the way up to a debut marathon. This is impressive for a number of reasons, mainly Hannah is a new mum and used to hate running. Now she loves running, and on completing her first marathon, immediately entered another!
First Marathon at Edinburgh in 4:19:04
10km PB at PLS 10km in 51:08 to finish 27th female and (4th AG)
5th Female at Gisburn Forest 10km
1:48:31 Half Marathon PB in San Sebastian.
Male Triathlete of the year
Notable Mentions
Daniel Watkin
30th Overall (18th AG) at Slateman Triathlon
29th overall in 5:42 in his first middle-distance triathlon at a soggy Epicman.
Debut IRONMAN at Cascais at 11:51:23
Dan Owen
26th Parbold Fell Race
Half Marathon PB at Liverpool Half 1:24
17:46 Mystery Park 5km
18th and 4th AG at Southport Triathlon
Sub 5 at IM70.3 Swansea in 4:56:47
Zak Lindsay
PB South Liverpool 10km
Half Marathon PB at Liverpool Half 1:25
9-minute PB at Edge Hill Sprint
18:14 Mystery Park 5km (40s PB)
5:13:19 Outlaw Half
Long course debut at IRONMAN UK in 13:07:12 (30th AG)
14th overall at Shropshire Olympic Triathlon
Michael Hopkins
5th Liverpool South 10km PB 37:14
1:18:41Wrexham Half Marathon
4:49:30 Outlaw Half
7th Overall and 2nd AG at scorching UK Ultimate Half in 4:54.
2nd overall at Shropshire Olympic Triathlon
2:58:57 Marathon PB at Chester
Graham Tench
1:35 PB Liverpool Half Marathon
Edge Hill Sprint
42:36 Liverpool Spring 10km (7 minute PB)
5:35:00 Outlaw Half
20:35 5km PB
Top 50 Epicman Olympic Distance Triathlon
IRONMAN Wales 14:39:07
Winner – Paul Williams
Another athlete we’re mentioned year after year at our awards. I’ve known Willow for a long time now and I admire his commitment to triathlon and brand loyalty… North Endurance, Planet X and Outlaw to name a few! This year while spinning more plates, he still managed to train and enjoy a hugely successful season with a number of best results, committing to racing and racing well when he maybe felt he wasn’t as prepared as he’d like. His results reflect his continued effort, consistency, and general skin in the game that deserves acknowledgement.
12th M40+ Half Marathon PB at Liverpool in 1:23
41st in 30:47 at Walton Park 5 Miler
4:56:29 Outlaw Half
Held off a charging young buck (Zak) to finish IRONMAN UK (again) in 12:41
8th AG at Outlaw X Middle Distance
3:07:53 Marathon PB at Chester. Was also a good samaritan helping and shoving a struggling competitor across the line.
Female Triathlete of the year
Notable Mentions
Maddie Ferrar
25minute PB at Slateman Triathlon (most importantly beating her mum) to finish 14th Female, 9th AG
10th Female and Girburn Forest Trail
Completed the Original Mountain Marathon with Rohan.
Cerian Jackson
8th fastest swim in only her second triathlon to finish 18th Female at Slateman Triathlon
Emma Hudson
1:41 Helsby Half Marathon
6th female (4th AG) at West Lancs Summer Triathlon
Grace Watson
XC Debut
Sandman Standard Distance Triathlon
Becks Sutton
Came 4th and won her AG in her first Sprint at the North West Triathlon
3:55:46 Marathon debut and the ‘worst experience of her life’Ferrea
Winner – Mel Holden
What can we say about Mel? An ambitious year filled with brilliant results. Mel has gone from strength to strength across all disciplines, with PBs across all distances. She’s worked extremely hard through the year, and slowly but surely grown in belief and confidence. She’s continued to be an excellent ambassador for NE, welcoming new members, challenging herself, driven and willing to learn and improve.
1:51 Liverpool Half Marathon (7 minute PB)
30th Edge Hill Sprint (5 minutes faster than the previous year)
24:11 5km PB at Mystery Park 5km
6:31:59 Debut middle distance triathlon at Outlaw Half
Epic man Standard distance triathlon, completed in torrid conditions despite an off on the bike
5 minute Half Marathon PB at GNR in 1:47
Most improved Female athlete
Notable Mentions
Kim Blakemore
First Half Marathon at Liverpool Half
Second Half Marathon after a summer injury in Copenhagen
Braved Cross Country
Conwy Half Marathon
Olivia MacCormack
PBs over all distances from 5km to Half Marathon
25:43 Halewood 5km
1:59:45 (sub 2!) at Manchester Half
Winner - Jemima Hodgkinson
Jemima has worked incredibly hard since joining North Edurance. She’s a regular at our club run sessions, has pushed herself to complete her first Triathlons, and has braved Cross country. She’s keen to improve and always willing to listen. It’s great to see Jemima enjoying her sport and being a part of club life, dragging her husband and friends along to get involved.
12th in AG at her first-ever Triathlon at Southport Sprint
Sandman Sprint Triathlon
Recently taken part in her first Cross Country race, and she rocked up with some excellent Victoria sponge cakes. Always a winner!
Most improved Male athlete
This award could be given to so many of our athletes and members. Progression isn’t linear, and it comes in waves. While we recognise the giant leaps some of our newer athletes have made, It’s important to acknowledge the athletes who do it year in and year out, maintaining and chipping away to progress.
Notable Mentions
Richard Carmichael
22nd M40+ at Liverpool Half Marathon in 1:27 (6-minute PB)
Big PB at Manchester Marathon in 3:23:05
10km PB at Liverpool Spring 10km in 40:11
5km PB in 18:47 at Mystery Park 5km
13minute PB over 6 months to run 3:10 at Chester Marathon
Aaron Watson
42:35 at Liverpool Spring 10km (over 5 minute PB)
1:30:28 at a toasty Southport Half. This was a 16-minute in just 12 weeks.
5km PB in 18:46 at Mystery Park 5km
Thomas Hawkhead (Zaks Dad)
First Triathlon
First open water swim triathlon at a bleak Ullswater Epic Man
Pretty sure there are some running PBs too.
Day Carrol
15-minute PB at Chester Marathon in 3:42:57
5km PB
Collin Kimmins
Parbold Hill Race
53:57 At Liverpool 10km (5 minute PB)
The following weekend ran a Half marathon PB in 2:07:55
Winner – Shane Duffy
Since as last year, Shane only got a joke prize we only feel it’s fair to acknowledge his improvement throughout the year. Whilst outwardly he may still be the joker, and I’m sure will make light of this recognition, the reality is Shane has begun to match his application and lifestyle choices with his sporting ambitions, and in all seriousness, is a far healthier person and significantly better athlete for it. He’s progressed in all disciplines with significant PBs over all distances which I’m sure will be a trend that continues into 2024 with more goals on the horizon.
1:27 at Liverpool Half (12-minute PB)
5km PB in 18:51 at Mystery Park 5km
5:32:21 Debut middle distance triathlon at Outlaw Half
Epic Man Standard Distance Triathlon
24-minute marathon PB over 12 months at Chester In 3:20:14
Members of the year
This award is an acknowledgement of two members’ enthusiasm towards North Endurance. They’re regularly at sessions, contribute to the community, are always positive, and make the effort to welcome others into our community. This support and contribution is so important to our culture and doesn’t go unrecognised.
Winner - Laura ASPEY
Laura simply brings a big smile, enthusiasm and positivity to every run session, race or event, whether she’s competing or not. This year, she has grown in confidence, embraced the club community and been key in welcoming new runners to our club sessions. She had her first race at Gisburn Forest Trail 10km, has been ever-present at training, and has taken part in cross country, providing the whole team with coffee at each XC fixture. She’s also done her fair share of crewing for Fabian, which is no mean feat!
Winner - Adrian Gilleard
The self-proclaimed ‘Allerton Express’ has had a fantastic year of racing. He’s always positive, enthusiastic and supportive of me, NE, and everyone’s achievements, even when he may have been having a tough time himself. I know how much he missed the sessions and group early on in the year.
Helsby Half Marathon
Parbold Hill Race
West Lancs Spring Triathlon
Bala Triathlon
Delamere Trail Half
Memorable Performance of The Year
We’ve been fortunate to coach athletes toward some incredible and unique goals this year. A few are mentioned below. Generally, there has been ALOT of watching dots and race trackers!
Mark Warner
London Marathon PB
Mark Ran one of the best-paced marathons we’ve ever seen from one of our coached athletes. Running almost perfectly even splits, Mark knocked a massive 22 minutes off his previous marathon best to finish in 3:05:43
Steve Booker
Beacons Way Ultra
When Steve approached us for coaching only 12 weeks out from the epic Beacons Way Ultra, I was hesitant to say the least.
100 miles traversing the Brecon Beacons National Park, with 6143m of elevation... in 12 weeks?... for an athlete who had never run an ultra marathon, and in his own words 'hadn't trained for months'... I questioned whether his goal was realistic. Little did Steve know, he was in for a biblical weekend of weather too!
In horrendous conditions, Steve finished a fantastic 17th in 36 hours, 22 minutes. It rained throughout the entire event with gale-force winds over the summits. Of the 85 starters, only 25 finished, a huge 70% DNF rate!
Carl Lowe & Dan Scott
Chester 100
Carl and Dan trudged through the night to finish the GB Ultras Chester 100 miler. (109 miles)
Race day was brutal, with high temperatures and an overgrown course frustrating the field.
Carl finished in a brilliant 26:25:32 to finish 23rd overall, with Dan not too far behind, crossing the line in 28:39:18 to finish 47th, and become the latest members of the NE 100 mile club.
Nasra Deria
Thames Path 100
There are a few unwritten realities in coaching athletes; shit happens, and life's not fair. Nas had an outstanding 18 months leading up to the Thames Path 100 miler. Unfortunately, COVID struck a couple of weeks out, and participation, let alone completion was up in the air.
After a difficult lead-in, race day turned out to be no easier. It rained constantly through the day and into the night where the course hit flood plains, meadows, and single tracks that became mud baths. While only 15 runners had dropped before 50 miles, 117 withdrew between miles 59 - 90, leading to a 40% DNF rate!
... But not NAS!
100 Miles completed within the cut-off in 27:42:35.
Matt Farrel
Maverick Adidas Terrex X
After an Early season Marathon PB and 5km PB (Sub 20), Matt Farrel completed his 2nd Ultra Marathon at the Maverick Adidas Terrex X Series Lake District. The day was extremely hot and humid, providing extremely testing conditions for runners. Matt completed the 44km course featuring 2500m+ of elevation in 8:21:34 coming home in 29th
Winner - Tom White
Tom’s triathlon performances are extra impressive as just over 12 months ago Tom was teaching himself to swim and cycled through transition at his first triathlon. We had a 1-2-1 last summer, and he’s quietly gone about training around his work and life commitments, doing the simple stuff, day in, day out without fuss. His application and ambition over the last couple of years have been mega, inspired by a healthy motivation, driven with purpose, and executed heart. This has resulted in not just 1, but a number of excellent and memorable performances over the last 12 months, and one for the best Tinder bios in the North West.
Grizedale Trail Marathon 30th
1:36 Liverpool Half Marathon
Chester Ultra 50 miler - 37th in 9:04:25
5:09 Debut Middle Distance at Outlaw Half Triathlon
Ullswater 20 - 60th overall in 3:47:12
11:25:39 Debut IRONMAN at IM Barcelona. (with a broken little toe)
Best Race Photo - Runner Up
Johnny Boylan
Johnny Boylan had a great race at the Deva Middle Distance Triathlon to finish 16th overall.
Unfortunately, we think this picture is worthy of a DQ!
Best Race Photo - Winner
Daniel Watkin
A great season let down by a ‘wardrobe malfunction’…. that old chestnut.
Kick Back
Neil Smith
Neil has managed to recruit lots of new members to NE over the last few years. He must be a damn good hairdresser because we’d imagine he’d be losing lots of clients if he only talks about triathlon and running! Here’s your commission Neil!
What’s that about?!
Ben Sweeney
It’s the same old story from Ben year on year. Any mention or prospect of having to endure physical exercise and it seems he’s busy. So for 2024, we’ve got Ben a blank calendar and a new joke book!
That’s a wrap
A key ingredient in starting any journey is the people with whom you surround yourself. It’s the supportive community and culture; the people who help you strive, support you in your ambitions, who make doing the hard things that little bit easier, and provide a positive attitude when you have a setback or are simply struggling to do the sometimes tedious work.
When we feel secure and supported, and we have good people in our corner, anything in life feels possible. This year I was privileged to watch and coach a few athletes who dared to imagine, reshaped what they thought was possible, and lived their dream.
I'm really proud of the community we've built over the years, all that our athletes and members achieve, and the inclusive ethos and culture that we built upon.
Cheers!
Paul
(Head Coach)
