Club Runner/Member of the Year
This year's RRR Presentation Night takes place at Royton Cricket Club on Friday 5th December
(tickets available here).
Amongst many awards to be presented on the evening are the Rod Bowers Trophy for RRR Club Runner of the Year - the person that members think has achieved the most in their running this year (not necessarily the best/fastest runner, but the person you believe has delivered the standout performances) & the new Neil Bradley Memorial Trophy for 'Club Member of the Year' to the person judged to have made the greatest overall contribution to the club in the last 12 months.
From the many nominations received, the RRR Committee has selected shortlists for these awards (see below). These are the only awards decided by the members & voting is often very close, so please get involved!
The committee has also selected a shortlist from the nominations received for RRR Charity of the Year 2026 - the local charity that we'll raise funds for at club events through the year. Again, please take the chance to have your say by selecting your preference from the options below.
On this page you will find the shortlists in each category (including links to the charity websites), together with some of the reasons provided for the nominations - followed by the voting form itself.
Deadline for your vote is Wednesday 3rd December.
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CLUB RUNNER OF THE YEAR 2025
DAVE BARDSLEY
Club Championship Group 5 winner, 3rd MV45 & successfully completed his 2nd Manchester Marathon. Nominations noted that Dave "has made massive improvements especially in the latter half of the year...PBs at every distance...took part in many races, RRR & others...had a great year of running...deserves this award for all of the progress he has made".
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JASON KEAST
Club Championship Group 3 winner, 5th MV55. 12th MV55 in the Run The Moors Grand Prix & a key part of a successful cross-country squad last winter. Nominations said that Jason has "shown true resilience coming back from several long-term debilitating injuries...has competed this year on road, trail, cross-country & fell...reached the final of the RRR Cup...a quiet inspiration".
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BRETT SPIVEY
MV40 winner in the Club Championship, 4th in the Premiership. Our second-best male runner at last winter’s cross-country, ever-present & finishing 29th overall, 7th MV40 to help us to the 2nd MV40 team award. Nominations noted that Brett "has run all 17 club races this year...massively improved his times...had a great year, definitely a contender for this award".
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ELLIOT STONE
Winner of the Championship Group in the Club Championship, 2nd MV50 & the only other club member to complete a full set of 17 club races this year. Remarkably consistent over all distances. Nominations mentioned that Elliot has had "as close to a PB season as you could have...never flags his achievements in his own race reports".
CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2025
NATALI BROWN
Our hardworking Social Secretary & organiser of the annual Couch to 5K programme. Nominations commented on Nat's "lovely ebullient personality that we all appreciate & draws support for the socials...the cheery face of the club...has done a fantastic job of organising social events...great ambassador at events...always seen at races, even if not running, to offer a cheer to (us) slower runners".
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DAVID EMANUEL
RRR Deputy Chair & Communications Officer. Nominations said that he "tirelessly works in the background…a vital part of the committee…just gets on with things...keeps things ticking over without any fuss…the club would be lost without him".
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TRACEY HALL
Training Group Leader for an increasingly popular & well-attended group. Nominations noted that Tracey is "a dedicated leader...puts a lot of thought into organising interesting & varied routes & leads her group twice a week in all weather conditions...conscientious about the safety & wellbeing of all who attend...makes club runs friendly & welcoming for all".
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JAMES HENDERSON
RRR men's captain, Deputy Training Co-ordinator & Training Group Leader who (literally) leads from the front. Nominations mentioned that James "organises his training group really well, including good interval sessions...has been at almost every Monday/Thursday training night...easy to talk to & very helpful, gives great advice...always gives his time...inspiring to new & established runners alike...deserves the recognition".
CHARITY OF THE YEAR 2026
DR KERSHAW'S HOSPICE (www.drkershawshospice.org.uk)
Our local hospice, voted 2024 & 2025 RRR Charity of the Year, providing quality palliative care for patients & support for their families...funded predominantly by public donations. Nominations said, "I'm proud that we support a local charity with connections to so many members...I think everyone can relate to this charity".
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MAGGIE'S CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE OLDHAM (www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-oldham)
Built in 2017, a welcoming space providing support for people with cancer & the people who love them. Nominations described Maggie's as "a most deserving local charity...an oasis of calm & support for anyone battling cancer & their families...totally dependent on donations & fundraising by the general public".
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OLDHAM MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM (www.omrt.org)
A voluntary organisation formed in 1964 whose objective is to save lives & alleviate distress, primarily in upland & mountain areas, without cost or obligation. The team of 50+ volunteers provides a professional rescue service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, funded almost entirely by public donations.
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PENNINE PEN ANIMAL RESCUE (www.penninepen.co.uk)
Founded in 2001 & based at Honeywell Lane in Oldham, providing sanctuary & finding homes for unwanted & abandoned animals. Nominations noted that "this charity is right on our doorstep…the rescue centre alone costs over £100,000 a year to operate...in desperate need of donations to help abused & abandoned animals". ​