This year’s winners were Ed Fazakerley and Alice Stiles.
Runners up were Rocco Zaman-Browne and Mike Long for the men, and Trinity Powell and Lindsey Farrelly for the ladies.
Category: News
Emil Voigt awarded IAAF World Heritage plaque
Manchester Harriers have an athlete in the first 10 inductees of the IAAF World Athletics Heritage Plaque, the first British athlete to do so.
Emil was the last British athlete to win a long-distance running gold medal at the Olympic Games prior to Mo Farah’s 2012 double. Voigt’s success was 104 years earlier at the first London Olympic Games where he triumphed in the 5-mile event in a time of 25:11.
Athlete of the year 2018
The club is once again to make an award to one member of the senior section who is considered to be the outstanding athlete of the year, following the popularity of previous years’ awards. This will take the form of a tankard and, in order to make a representative choice, I am asking all members of the senior section to vote for the member they consider deserves the award most. The choice does not necessarily have to be a club champion. Factors worthy of consideration would include a substantial improvement over the year, an outstanding result in a particular meeting, or you may like to consider a contribution to the coaching side of the club or a member who has represented the club in a manner deserving of recognition. Members aged at least 15 years can make nominations. Awards will be made at the Christmas Handicaps on 23rd December. You can submit your nomination here:
Alternatively, you can post your nominations to Kevin Dillon at 22 Ashdene Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4WX (e-mail: Kevin.dillon22@yahoo.co.uk) or Debbie at 34 Crossefield Road, Cheadle Hulme SK8 5PE or telephone us (Kevin on 07815 876962 or Debbie on 07797 203478). Previous winners were Tony Keller (1987), Chris O’Brien (1988), Dave Gee (1989), George Lawson (1990), Frank Bradley (1991), Tony MacDonald (1992), Joe Moran (1993), Steve Yates (1994), Mike Cunningham (1995), Carl Summers (1996 and 2011), Mike Morris (1997), Peter Ferguson (1998), Vic Blanchard and Achim Schüle (joint award in 1999), Arnold Bradshaw (2000), Andy Donnelly (2001), Andy Skitt(2002 and 2009), Aaron Rodger (2003), Ciaran Fitzpatrick (2004), Phil Holmes (2005), Kes Salmon (2006 and 2015), David Henshaw (2007), Liam Bartlett (2008), Mikey Fennell (2010), Ed Fazakerley (2012), Julian Ernst (2013), Jason Brogan (2014), Ian Fennell (2016) and Matt Coxon (2017).
The club will also make an award to a member of the ladies’ section. So, if you want to vote for one of our lady members, please do so as above or contact Debbie or Kevin. The previous winners were Alison Morris (1997), Debbie Beresford (1998, 2003 and 2005), Lindsay Wraxall (1999), Emma McIntyre (2000), Jean Skitt (2001 and 2010), Lynne Schofield (2002), Brenda Bradshaw (2004), Holly Thomas (2006), Cara Kavanagh (2007), Charlotte Holmes (2008), Anousheh Mahjoob (2009), Karen Spilsbury (2011), Wendy Woodhead (2012), Gemma Hopley (2013), Emma Tolond (2014), Melanie Barber (2015 and 2016) and Caroline Baba (2017).
Entries will also be taken in the day.
Jessica Morrissey wins Young Volunteer of the Year for the North West Region.
Congratulations Jessica. This is your nomination
Jessica has been with the club since she was 8 yrs old, initially competing in Cross Country, Track & Field & any events she could. I have team managed Jess & over the years she has grown in to an amazing individual. She is adorable. In competing she always gave 100%, training hard, always has a smile & never rude or cross. In recently years she has volunteered with us, doing more & more and is a role model to all. Jessica coaches our 7 yrs plus beginners each week, has the leading athletics, coaching assistant & Assistant Official qualifications & has attended the 365 workshop in her spare time. She volunteers for our 2 weeks of Startrack Summer athletics each year, from 10am to 3pm everyday, encouraging the youngsters & mentoring the new leaders from 14yrs. She is always bubbly, eager to help, learns quickly, always happy and smiling even when she fractured her ankle she didn’t moan.
Jessica deserves to win, as she has done so much for the club & never asked for anything from us. She is passionate about athletics and it would boost her confidence and celebrate her volunteering, the club would support this 100%
Startrack 2018
This will be our 15th year of staging the STARTRACK Athletic Sessions and they are getting more and more popular every year, with over 100 youngsters aged 7-15 years taking part. All the youngsters were from the local community and one of our best turn outs.
Each youngster on the scheme received a ‘Goodie Bag’ – a useful drawstring bag containing a T-Shirt & waterbottle.
All weeks will be held at Wythenshawe Park Athletic Track the HOME of Manchester Harriers & AC. Throwing disciplines included the Javelin, Shot Putt, Discus, Soft Hammer and the new Vortex Howler; jumping disciplines included the Triple Jump, Long Jump, Standing Long Jump and High Jump; track events included 60m, 75m, 80m, 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 600m, 800m and 1500m plus hurdles and mini-hurdles. Youngsters attending will get the chance to try all the events and most will see their performances improve during the sessions. Learning new skills, having fun on the way, make new friends and have a very positive experience of Athletics.
The weather for both weeks was amazing, very warm with blue skies virtually all both weeks, just a little rain on the last couple of days but timed it for lunch time. We are able to make every session fun and varied, covering all events including high jump, lots of chance to get outdoors. Over the weeks we encourage youngsters of varying ability and, hopefully, give every one of them encouragement to get involved in Athletics and perhaps, one day, we will see them competing for the Club and maybe the Country!!
One day of each week saw us on the track for the ‘Mile Challenge’. All the youngsters take part with the younger athletes completing the Mile in relays of four over 16 laps with a rest of 3 laps in every four and the older athletes completing the four laps in one go. All the youngsters really enjoy the challenge and each youngster gets a Manchester Athletic Network Medal on completion of the Challenge. For most of the youngsters this is a major achievement and will, hopefully, give them the incentive to carry on after the Startrack sessions have finished.
On the final day of each week, Friday, we run a mini competition and relays and everyone has a fantastic time. At the end of the session Jonny Stewart, Donnacha Maguire and Luke Oldfield gave out the Academy Awards to all the youngsters who attended the sessions to reward their effort and ability, this was their last year following university and now they have to look for full time careers. All 3 have been supporting the programme for over 10 years so a massive THANK YOU to all.
Every youngster taking part is encouraged to come along and join Manchester Harriers & AC. They are given information on our activities and where and when we meet. As a Club we hope to encourage more youngsters into the sport and help them achieve a healthier lifestyle.
The Club could not do this without our Coaches, Officials and Helpers all of whom are unpaid volunteers who give their time to help promote athletics within the Manchester and surrounding Boroughs.
Should you wish to VOLUNTEER to help us prosper and grow, which in turn enables us to encourage more youngsters to take part and keep fit and healthy, please get in touch (see details below) and we will contact you shortly. No experience necessary – just lots of ENTHUSIASM!!!!
Manchester Harriers & AC
Manchester Harriers and Athletics Club 
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