Sandbach Striders

Sandbach Striders Running Club prides itself on supporting and encouraging our runners, whether they've done their first 5k, or entered a 24hour endurance race. Each year we hold an Awards Night where we recognise the achievements of the members for the previous year

Club Awards

Male and Female Club championship

Awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female members (6 awards) who have achieved the highest score based on their best 8 race results on standard distance events in the year. These results are adjusted by WAVA rating (a way of equalising gender and age) to make it fair on all age groups.

Most Improved Male and Female

Awarded by the committee to the two individuals who have come on the furthest, and/or gained the most PB’s in the previous year

10K Male and Female winners

Based on the club’s Wednesday night run of the 10k in August/September

Club Handicap Race

Winner of the handicap race held in the previous summer

Alternative series

Points are awarded for fancy dress, races abroad, assisting in club events, etc. See the entry form for more information

Personality Award

This is a simple vote open to all members. This doesn’t have to be any specific running related achievement, but think of people who have made you smile, encouraged, or worked hard behind the scenes for the club.

John Lawton Award

The John Lawton award was set up by Lynda Lawton following the tragic death of John during a mountain marathon in Greece in 2012.

John was a much loved member of Sandbach Striders who relished the purity of running and was always happy to stick his running shoes on and just get out there in the fresh air whilst also pushing himself to do things he’d never done before.

Because he was never interested in who had run further, faster or more often than anyone else it makes it a very challenging award to judge because Sandbach Striders is full of wonderful people who constantly amaze with their running feats but the easy to judge attributes of ‘who came first’ mean nothing when it comes to the John Lawton Award.

Instead it might celebrate someone’s personal achievement which has taken them further outside their comfort zone than they ever thought possible or perhaps it’s someone who has enriched the club with their passion for running or maybe it’s even someone who doesn’t run at all but has inspired others to reach goals beyond their wildest dreams.

It’s ambiguity is part of its charm and also what makes it such a special award to receive.

Each year we ask for nominations with a brief explanation as to why this individual should win, and a group consisting of people who knew John and members of his family will discuss and choose the winner between them.