Jacky Fellows Voted
Runner of the Year 2007
Friday 6th July 2007 saw around 130 Dudley Ladies put on their
glad rags to receive the adulation and recognition for their past efforts at
the clubs annual presentation evening that was again held at Linden
House in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton.
Proceedings began at 7.30pm when Rita welcomed everyone to the event and got
them to do
their now customary hip gyrations before starting the evening off
with a loud explosion of 130 party poppers before sitting down to a
three Course meal
of either Minestrone Soup or Iced Melon with Ginger
for starters,
Chicken Chasseur or Roast Topside of Beef or
Feta Cheese & Broccoli Bake
for main
course, with Profiteroles in Hot Bailey’s Sauce or
Strawberries & Cream for dessert
Following the meal, which everyone said was pretty good, Rita allowed Phil
the rare privilege to speak in public. Unfortunately for Phil he blew his
chance due to a throat infection which left him croaking throughout the
night.
None the less he
gallantly soldiered on to relate a number of funny anecdotes and
experiences from this years course as
well as to urge and inspire everyone to continue in the steps of Paula Ratcliffe, that would have inspired even the weakest of
wills.
The awards ceremony was begun by Rita, with around 120 beginners each receiving
their medal, certificate and tee-shirt for running a minimum of 3 miles
during their recent 10 week beginners course before having their photograph
taken by Nick and Julie Walton.
That done the evening then moved on to the individual award winners and as Phil
explained, this year was more difficult than ever, with around 200 beginners
plus the established runners in the club and everyone with a good case to
put, so just where do you start???
First to be recognized for their outstanding achievement this year were
three ladies that couldn't be separated . Ann Kelly, Eileen Bolton and
Chris Clarke. These three ladies always run together and support and
inspire not only each other but all those around them. Whilst coming to the
club as beginners last year they have improved to such an extent that they
have surprised even themselves. They turn up every week; they are a joy to
be with and are a real asset to the club.
Next up was
62 year old Marion Willetts. For this lady age is now no barrier, but
when she first came to the club she was worried sick. She thought that she
might be too old and was worried that she wouldn't be able to keep up with the others
but none the less, she bought a new
pair of running shoes and gave it a go.
What a transformation, there is now no comparison to
that lady that first came down the club and she is now a very confident and
proficient runner who not only beats other runners in the club who are more than half
her age but she recently won her age category at the Wombourne Wiggle 10k
Marion would be the first to admit that she wouldn’t
have done what she’s done without the help and support of people around her
and none more so than Kay Shotton. This lady always runs with a huge
smile on her face, she has lost an enormous amount of weight and is always
willing to have a go at anything, even the Sodbury Slog
Jackie Bevan has achieved such a lot in such a
short space of
time that she was an absolute certainty to receive an award.
She has lost Body Fat, toned up and looks amazing. She has gone from nothing
to doing 10 mile training runs every week despite having a very full life
working and treading the boards as a budding actress.
Jo Jones has suddenly blossomed into becoming
one of the best runners in the club this year despite not fitting the normal
runners profile to such an extent that not even her husband Wally Wombat
wouldn't catch her.
Debbie Mottram has also had a new lease of life
this year. She is running faster and further than she has ever done before
and now has the confidence to enter any race that is presented to her.
Lauren Groves has got a wonderful personality.
She’s always has a smile on her face and always leaves you feeling better
for being with her. She’s not a natural runner and has really worked hard to
get fit and lose a bit of weight and so for her to run 3 miles is absolutely
fantastic. It’s not been easy for her but with the support of her friends;
she was determined to do it
Jo Lavender
has had more comebacks than Gary Glitter and has run with the club for
longer than we can remember and she will be the first to admit that during
that time she has had her fair share of unrelated work injuries and ups and downs. But through it all she has refused
to give up on her running. She is the comeback kid and keeps coming back for
more. Sometimes she has been in quite a lot of pain but she is one of those
people who never gives in. She has lost so much weight that she has had to
be kitted out with a whole new wardrobe. She always supports the club, even
when she
’s crocked and tries to give help and encouragement to others. We
guarantee whenever you meet this lady you’ll always leave her with a smile
on your face.
Heather Davies has also had a number of
set-backs this year, and she will tell you that it was her running plus the
help of her friends in the club that helped her through it all. Her running
has now gone from strength to strength and it was all down to her very
positive attitude and strength of character.
When people join Dudley Ladies, they never really
leave, even if they become pregnant, injured, ill or for whatever
reason they can’t make it down for sometime and Jess Stones is an
absolute classic example of this. Jess was one of our founding members
and recently returned from having her first child who is proving to be
particularly demanding due to a few medical problems that she's got. So if anyone deserves an achievement award it is
this lady
.
Petra Grigat-Bradley's German origins has
brought an international flavour to the club. She has come through the ranks
to become one of our better runners. She has made a lot of friendships
within the club and we are very proud and delighted at her achievements.
Rachel Harris started as an absolute beginner a
couple of years ago and her improvement has been tremendous. She is unrecognisable from the lady that first came down the club because of all
the weight that she has lost. She will shortly be running up Snowdon with
her father as yet another challenge. She also does a lot of work outside the
club to raise money for charity and is no stranger to sitting in a tub of
baked beans and having tins of mushy peas and maggots poured over her head.
For the beginners awards, Rita and Phil explained that the criteria used to
recognize achievement award winners was based upon "Value Added", in as much
that their ability was accessed from when they first joined the club to what they
can do now, taking in to account other influencing factors such as returning
from injury, having just had a baby, age or losing weight etc etc.
On that basis, Juliet Plant and Tracey Roberts were two ladies
that we couldn’t split. They always run together and whilst coming to the
club as beginners 10 weeks ago, they have improved to such an extent that
they have surprised even themselves. Tracey has a few breathing difficulties
due to a recent heart operation but she never complains or makes any fuss
about it. Both Juliet and Tracey turn up every week, they are a joy to be
with and will be a real asset to the club
Sue Cartwright
is not a natural runner, she has had to overcome a number of injuries,
operations and setbacks not least being stabbed in the back whilst working
as a Policewoman but she not only completed the course but she also went on
to do the Run For Life at Sandwell
Mary Soloman was the first beginner to try running with the Sunday
morning group and came along expecting to do her normal jog along the track
and back but she somehow got talked into going out with the main group and
ended up doing just under 5 miles. So she thoroughly deserves her
achievement for that alone to be recognised.
Sandra Jobson and Molly Jobson
are mother and daughter and neither one would have done it without the
other. Molly is just starting out on her running career and has it all in
front of her whilst mom Sandra is looking to show that if you set your mind
to it to it then you can achieve anything
Jane Tibbetts persevered through all the setbacks of injury but
she was sensible, she sought advice, did everything right, she was
absolutely determined to run her 3 miles and get her medal and T-shirt.
Well, she did it and we’re all very pleased for her.
As we said earlier, when people join Dudley Ladies, they never really
leave, even if they become pregnant, or injured or ill or for whatever
reason they can’t make it down for sometime and Diane Reynolds is an
absolute classic example of that. This lady was one of our founding members
but due to various problems she had to take a break but she’s come back
again, she’s had to start from scratch and she’s overcome all the obstacles
and problems in her way to finally do it and do it well.
Kerry Rushton leads a particularly busy life but was determined to
run 3 miles and has shown pure guts in doing it. She doesn’t live locally so
time is difficult but nothing was going to stop her.
Gail Stokes is another lady who doesn’t fit the normal runner’s
profile. This lady started from day one and couldn’t run for a bus, let
alone run around the football pitch but now through sheer guts and
determination she’s done it and thoroughly deserves being recognised for
what she has achieved.
Sue Lavender
has got a wonderful personality. She always
has a smile on her face and
always leaves you feeling better for being with her. She’s not a natural
runner and so for her to run 3 miles is absolutely fantastic. It’s not been
easy for her but she was so determined and we’re both really pleased for her
because she’s a real inspiration to everybody
Pamela Howell
travels all the way from Birmingham, which shows commitment in it’s self.
She was determined to do it but was a bit sceptical. None the less with the
support of her daughter she did it and she did it well
12 year old Beth Broome is another young lady who has bucked
the
trend by actually going out there and doing something and she has set an
example to other people of her own age.
Ann Bowman is one of our more mature runners; she originally came
along shortly before the beginners’ course and decided to wait and she tells
us that she’s so glad that she did because of the way she’s learnt all the
basics and made so many friends, which running with other people of your own
ability allows you to do.
What can we say about Leeann West that everyone doesn’t know
already? Since she came to the club at the start of the Beginners Course,
she has joined in with all the activities, she has made loads and loads of
new friends and she always has a big happy smile on her face. She keeps
everyone amused with her kind heartedness and humour. She is always bubbly
and enjoys a laugh and has now become one of the best runners in the group.
Beginner of the Year - Tracey Tolley
This lady doesn’t fit the normally expected runner
profile but we were impressed by her sheer determination to do it and the
way she conducted herself. She worked out what worked for her and stuck at
it with bags of enthusiasm and commitment. And the look on her face when she
ran the 3 miles for the first time was great………Her little face beamed.
She has got a wonderful personality. She’s
always has a smile on her face and always leaves you feeling better for
being with her. She’s not a natural runner and so for her to run 3 miles is
absolutely fantastic. It’s not been easy for her but she was so determined
and everyone is really pleased for her because she’s a real inspiration to
everybody.
She worked out what worked for her and stuck at it with
bags of enthusiasm and commitment. And the look on her face when she ran
the 3 miles for the first time was great………Her little face beamed.
Marathon Awards - were
presented to Pam Edmunds, Gail
Edwards and Raj Sanghera. All these girls started just a couple
of years ago as beginners and not one of them can believe just what running
has done for them. This year they did the Dublin Marathon and set about
training in earnest. It wasn’t easy but the Guinness was a great help so
they ALL thoroughly deserve this ultimate award.
Liverpool Women's 10k Run Awards -
were presented to 1st Isobel Stavenuiter, 2nd
Petra Grigat-Bradley and
3rd Amy
Spilsbury-Butler.
Club Woman Of The Year - Mary
Lavender
This lady is an inspiration to us all. She has a busy
full time job, clubs to run, trips to go on, and a new addition to the
family to care for. She has loads of energy and never ceases to amaze us
with her never ending enthusiasm. There isn’t a better Mrs Motivator
anywhere. Every week she is at the club, supporting, advising, cajoling and
working everyone that runs with her. Everybody loves her and she is a true
Dudley Lady
Most Improved Runner of The Year -
Isobel Stavenuiter
This lady has made great improvements over the past
year. She leads a busy life as a working mom but still manages to find the
time to run. She will tell you that running with Dudley Ladies has changed
her life. She has toned up and is now looking absolutely great. She did the
Liverpool Women’s 10k a few weeks ago and was our first lady back and is now
so keen that she has even got all the family running. We hope she can manage
to keep it up and deserves this award for all the hard work that she’s put
in
Best Newcomer - Carrie Creamer
This lady joined the club a short while ago and has
made an immediate impact in becoming one of the best runners in the club.
She is very committed and focused and thoroughly deserves to have her
achievements recognised.
Runner of The Year - Jacky Fellows
What can we say about this lady that everyone doesn’t
know already. Since she came to the club last year, she has joined in with
all the activities, she has made loads and loads of new friends and she
always has a big happy smile on her face. She keeps everyone amused with her
kind heartedness and humour. She is always bubbly and enjoys a laugh and is
always ready to have a go at anything whilst giving encouragement and
support to all those around her.
At the start of the Beginners Course, Jacky gave such
an inspirational and motivating speech that even now beginners still comment
upon what an effect this talk had upon them and how that has got them
through the course.
So well done Jackie, never has an
award been so richly deserved!!!!!!!!
Finally people that no one ever
notices but without whom the club couldn't function were also brought up on
the stage to be recognized, they included :-
Nick Walton - who was presented with a cut glass tankard for his
"Services" to Dudley Ladies
The
evening was finished off with a number of girls slightly the worse for wear
but happy that they'd done their bit to increase the profits of Bank's
Brewery
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening, with some even saying that it
should be made compulsory as it's just too good to miss.
