Farnham Runners celebrate record AGM turnout
A record 67 people attended Farnham Runners AGM, held at the Seale and Sands Royal British Legion club.
Outgoing Chair Nicola O’Connor presented a colourful and comprehensive slide show of an overview of the year of what the club has to offer the members. She emphasised the friendship, inspiration and support that club members offered to each other.
She continued:
“In February the club was presented with a number of awards by Farnham Sports Council. Farnham Runners offer a full programme of runs and training sessions, now on most days of the week. The club now has five qualified Coaches and eight qualified Leaders in Running Fitness. It runs a Get Me Started course for beginners and organises regular “roving runs”, starting at a variety of venues.”
Nicola also mentioned the club’s traditional events including the club championship and the handicap.
“As well as many road and cross-country races, a growing number of members now take part in ultra-marathons”.
She said she would like to recognise and thank David Georgiou who puts in many hours to maintain and update the Farnham Runners website. She said:
“He does a fantastic job”
Justin Clarke was voted in as the new club chairman and Linda Tyler as ladies’ captain while Colette Grist will join the committee as welfare officer and Matt Saker as men’s captain.
There was a vote of thanks to Jane Georgiou as the outgoing ladies’ captain, a position that she has held for the last 30 years. Charles Ashby gave an amusing speech about Jane as he has known her for most of that time. Nicola presented her with an engraved silver plate to thank her for her service. Jane will still fulfil her role writing race reports for the Farnham Herald and record keeping for the club.
A vote of thanks was also given to Nicola O’Connor who is the outgoing Chair. Craig Tate-Grimes gave a speech and Nicola was presented with flowers and some wine.
Before the Awards presentations there was a break for Pizzas, supplied by “Little Reds” and paid for from club funds.
First up for awards were the five top men and ladies in the clubs Grand Prix. They were:
- Men: 1. Joe Collins 2 Ivan Chunnett 3. James Robinson 4. Tony Jones 5. Richard Denby/Jamie Lyons.
- Ladies: 1. Linda Tyler 2. Candy Waller 3. Bridget Naylor 4. Colette Grist 5.Gemma Whitehouse.
Trophies went to Ivan Chunnett and Candy Waller for the most personal bests out of the 12 Hampshire Road League races.
Linda Tyler was presented with the special Hampshire Road League T-shirt for completing all 12 races last season.
Hampshire League mugs were presented to those who had run at least 7 of the road races while the club gave T-shirts or the option of planting a tree to those who had completed all 5 cross-country races.
The club’s marathon trophies for 2024 went to Nik Darlington and Emma Pearson.
Linda Tyler and Julia Tagg were very deserving winners of the Steve Parker Award and the Chairman’s Award respectively.
The new award in memory of Alison Yearsley went to Jackie Wilkinson for commitment to the club, while Leza Milligan received the Smiley Award.
A number of other awards were given this year:
- Michelle Obama Award for Strong Women to Julia Tagg and Louise Granell for taking the Strength classes.
- Chumbawumba Award (for getting knocked down and getting up again) to Candy Waller, Sandra Hickey and Terry Steadman.
- The Boomerang Award (for the greatest come back) to Charles Ashby.
- Technicolour award (for services to running fashion) to Gemma Whitehouse.
- David Attenborough Award for services to running with wildlife to Howard Inns.
- Peggy Mitchell award for services behind the bar to Clair Bailey.
- Get Me Started Improver to Joe Napier.
- Young runner of the year award to Laylan Pointon-Berkowitz.
- Proclaimers Award (for running a very, very, very long way) to Colette Grist, Kate Townsend and Ivan Chunnett.
See the Photo Gallery 2025 for further photos from the AGM.