Club Runner/Member of the Year
This year's RRR Presentation Night takes place at Royton Cricket Club on Friday 4th December 2026
(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 Neil Bradley Memorial Trophy for 'RRR Club Member of the Year' (the person you judge 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 2027 - the local charity that we'll raise funds for at club events throughout 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 2nd December
All votes submitted are confidential
CLUB RUNNER OF THE YEAR 2026
RICK DOUGLAS
Club Championship Group 6 runner-up & ran the marathon distance (unplanned) for the first time this year. Nominations noted that Rick is "very inspiring, going from strength to strength with his running…has run every race this year, smashed all his personal targets & set several personal bests…recently taken on the role of group leader with great enthusiasm…always has a smile on his face".
HOLLY GRAHAM
Only joined the club in April but achieved 2nd place in the RRR Ladies Championship & 2nd in the new Female 18-34 age group. Holly has been praised as "a great addition to the club...made fantastic progress over all race distances...almost ever-present at the weekly track sessions...produced an amazing 3rd female finish at the Oldham Half Marathon & was 10th female in a very competitive Derwentwater 10 race".
BARRY GREAVES
MV65 winner in the Club Championship, finished 5th MV70 in the 2026 Run the Moors Grand Prix, has won the first 2 MV70 races in this winter’s Lancashire Rose Cross-Country League & qualified for the England V70 team at the British & Irish Masters cross-country race in November. Nominations commented that "after battling health issues, Barry continues to be competitive in races…was such an achievement to be selected to run for England".
ANDREW INGHAM
Worthy winner of the Championship Group in the Club Championship & 3rd MV35. Nominations mentioned that Andrew is "a quiet but committed member of RRR, a very consistent & determined runner…his times this year have continued to tumble…whilst not knowing many in Group 1 he has bravely stepped up to torture club on training nights…won a very tough Championship group".
JACK MILLAR
Winner of the new Male 18-34 age group and 3rd in the Premiership in the Club Championship. Ran 2:52:10 in his first marathon as an RRR at Manchester. Nominations noted that Jack has "made significant strides in his running development, with multiple PBs across all distances over the last 12 months…his work ethic when it comes to running is unmatched…has been an encouraging force within the group/club/track sessions".
CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2026
DAVID EMANUEL
RRR Deputy Chair & Communications Officer. Nominations said that he "quietly & professionally gets on with things for the club behind the scenes…keeping RRR ticking over by doing the things no one really sees".
JAMES HENDERSON
RRR men's captain, Deputy Training Co-ordinator & Training Group Leader who (literally) leads from the front. Nominations mentioned that James "leads by example, always encouraging others…puts 100% into recruiting new members & makes them feel welcome…creates a real team unity…gives his all to everyone he interacts with.”
MARTINA NAISMITH
RRR women's captain & Deputy Social Secretary. Nominations highlighted that Martina "spotted a need to practice stretching pre- & post-running by introducing pilates & yoga classes which have proved very popular…helps out at all club events including raising funds, selling raffle tickets, etc which I think goes unnoticed at times."
CHRIS SHARP
Only joined RRR late last year but has already made a significant impact on the club. Nominations noted that Chris "has stepped up as a leader...keen to help slower runners improve...very supportive at club races...always a smiling & friendly face".
GAIL SHAW
RRR Club Statistician. Nominations said of Gail that "her work as club statistician amazes me…not only a fantastic runner, she also does a lot of great work for the club behind the scenes...always speedily & accurately updates the club championship tables & RRR Cup results…has once again demonstrated her spot-on handicapping skills!"
CHARITY OF THE YEAR 2026
DR KERSHAW'S HOSPICE (www.drkh.org.uk)
Local hospice, voted RRR Charity of the Year for both 2024 & 2025, provides quality palliative care for patients & support for their families...funded predominantly by public donations. Nominations said, "Close to my heart…they work so hard & we all know someone who has been treated there…operating costs have spiralled dramatically & it is immensely difficult to keep the lights on…the emotion displayed by the staff at the cheque presentation last year told me everything".
MAGGIE'S CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE OLDHAM (www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-oldham)
Voted 2026 RRR Charity of the Year. Supports everyone with cancer & all the people who love them…a welcoming space where you can find support with money worries, tips on managing stress & a friendly place to go when you need someone to listen…helps people change the way they live with cancer. Nominations described "a great local charity…such a worthwhile cause especially at a local level…provides care & support to anyone who needs help and advice".
OLDHAM FOODBANK (www.oldham.foodbank.org.uk)
Our local foodbank, which opened in 2012 as a collaboration of local churches & community groups, provides three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food & support to local people who are referred to them in crisis…part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by Trussell, working to tackle poverty & hunger across the UK. Nominations mentioned that "lots of families are struggling, especially at Christmastime with the added costs…they do a great job in helping those families & individuals in need".
OLDHAM MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM (www.omrt.org)
A voluntary organisation formed in 1964 with the objective 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 donation. Nominations highlighted that OMRT is "a local charity helping people in time of need…a worthy cause particularly with club members now participating in many ultra events".
OUR COMMUNITY WARDROBE OLDHAM (www.neighbourly.com/project/6807c027243d5a17f870d62f)
This charity based in Lees collects good-quality new & second-hand clothing which is then redistributed to families in the local community who need it, plus baby items such as prams, receiving referrals from social services & local schools. Nominations noted that Our Community Wardrobe "supports a wide variety of people, including children, low-income families, women fleeing domestic violence & many other local causes…works hard for families in need in our community".
PENNINE PEN ANIMAL RESCUE (www.penninepen.co.uk)
Founded in 2001 & based at Honeywell Lane in Oldham, this charity provides sanctuary & finds homes for unwanted & abandoned animals. Nominations referred to "a fantastic local animal charity providing an invaluable service of re-homing across Oldham…desperately needs funds to continue its amazing work providing sanctuary, food, vet care, etc for unwanted, abandoned & quite often mistreated animals...the rescue centre alone costs over £100,000 a year to operate".