Stubbington Green Runners & AC

MICHAEL Aimable became the first recipient of the Stubbington Green Runners' lifetime achievement award.

The 80-year-old runner was clearly thrilled to pick up the award when he was presented with it by chairman Mike Clarke at the first ever SGR annual awards ceremony.

Almost 100 club members attended the evening, which was held at the Abshot Hotel & Country Club in Titchfield Common.

They were treated to a three course meal, some dodgy jokes from comperes Gary Littlecott and Dave King, a series of photographic slide show sketches, including an irreverent tribute to the legend Chris Hall, and, of course the awards.

Michael, who began running in 1980 at the ripe old age of 54 because he was 15 stone, overweight, and not in great shape, was nominated for the award by the Stubbington committee.

It was revealed in a tribute to Michael read out by Gary and Dave, that he plans to compete in his 21st and last London Marathon next April, before concentrating on half marathons.

Two other special awards were presented; rookie and spouse of the year. Kay Sadler, who joined the club earlier this year as part of the beginner's course, won the rookie of the year, while Karen Gunner - wife of Ray and mother of Ryan, who regularly helps out at races, deservedly collected the spouse award.

Club members were able to vote for four different categories - senior male and female runner of the year, and veteran male and female runner of the year.

Mark Le Gassick, who has enjoyed an amazing season on road and cross country, which included finishing joint winner of the Hampshire Road Race League, won the senior men's title ahead of Tor Duffin and Marcus Lee.

Lauren Coates pipped Rachel Openshaw and Geraldine Perrier to win the senior female runner of the year title.

Among the vets, Ray Gunner added to the Gunner household awards cabinet by winning the veteran male runner of the year, and Ironwoman Caroline Street just edged out Lesley Harding and Chris Haskell to be presented with the veteran female of the year of the award.

It was a highly successful evening which raised over £90 for the Fareham-based charity Kids from a pre-dinner game of heads and tails.

During the evening, two £1,000 cheques were presented to representatives from the Rainbow Centre in Fareham, and to the Friends of Oncology and Radiotherapy Trust by Dave Hall, race director from last January's Stubbington 10k.

At the end of the evening, it was the chance for club members to strut their funky stuff to an Abshot disco. This was one of the best social events organised in recent times, and Michelle Simpson, who helped to stage the event along with Jenny Hearnden, Lesley Harding and Andy James, said that they are now planning to host a quiz evening early in 2007.

"What did you honestly think of the evening - good, bad or indifferent? What did you enjoy and not enjoy? What would you like to see done different? Would you be keen on having another awards ceremony this time next year? And what sort of social events would you be prepared to support? Please email Michelle Simpson at michelle.simpson@tiscali.co.uk "