Volunteer BBQ at Ashton

Sunday 2nd September saw a welcome new event at our Ashton clubhouse - a Volunteer BBQ. This was the brainchild of Susan Edwards, who was appointed to be our first Volunteer Coordinator earlier this year. Susan felt that the club should show its gratitude to the many people who help out throughout the year in all sorts of unsung capacities.

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A surprise appearance: the ice-cream van!

The club only started to acquire actual barbecues last summer, but now we have three of them, including one for vegetarian cooking. They have proven popular from the word Go.

London Club of the Year: we are shortlisted

The club has been shortlisted for the England Athletics/London Region Club of the Year Award. The awards ceremony will be held at the Crowne Plaza Kensington on 1st October.

Our bid described, in particular, our young athletes' multiple successes over the last 12 months, our continued senior success at national level, and our commitment to expanding our volunteer base.

Award for Canaan Solomon

On Saturday Canaan Solomon received the Keith Wilson Bursary for Best U23 1500m Performance of the Season. This was a one-off award presented by the family of Keith Wilson to mark his 80th birthday. Keith ran for us in the 1950s, specialising in the 800/1500, but also winning Essex gold over 400mH on one occasion when he deprived John Hayward of the title. Keith is currently alive and well in Torquay and fondly remembers training under Ron Bowden with John Baker, Alan Wiseman and Dave Stearns.

Canaan ran 3:48.82 at a Brighton BMC in May. The award also recognises the fine season he has had over 800m, where he lowered his PB by 1.8 seconds to 1:47.12 and finished 6th in the British Championships.

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