SPIRIT of Monmouth hosted their annual awards night on Saturday at Monmouth Rugby Club, celebrating the achievements of 2025.

Club chairperson Barry Burns began by thanking Andrew Davies for arranging the venue, Sian Burns and Louise Hartree for setting up the room, all the leaders at Spirit for their volunteering and welcomed the new five running leaders.

Barry thanked committee members Vicky Roberts, Renske Bouwens, Kirk Hill, Jodi Wilkinson and Paul Simpson for their hard work, before reflecting on the club’s progression and achievements.

A record number of members participated in the Gwent Leisure Centre League, Hereford and Borders League and Gwent League last year, with the ladies X-country team winning promotion in the latter.

There were also gold medals in the East Wales Championships, with Sarah Heath and Katie Adams taking victory in their respective age groups and being selected to represent Wales, while the men’s over55 team won bronze.

The annual awards were then presented with Club member of the Year going to Vicky Roberts for her outstanding contribution to the club, starting the Ladies’ Safe Running initiative, and providing excellent communication of club activities throughout the year.

Other awards were:

New Member of the Year – Helen Shepherd, for commitment to the club and her training.

Most Improved Female Runner – Natalie Price, for commitment to the club and reaching her personal goals.

Most improved Male Runner – Michael Visser, for commitment to his training and setting new PBs at 5k,10k and half marathon.

GLCL Female Runner of the Year – Sarah Heath.

GLCL Male Runner of the Year – Matthew Visser.

Female Running Performance of the Year – Katie Adams for an outstanding trail half marathon time of 1.34 in the Wales v England match.

Male Running Performance of the Year – Tom Chinnick for setting a new 10k PB of 36.41.

Female Club Championship Winner – Marina Wright.

Male Club Championship Winner – Ben Saunders.

Female Age-Graded Championship Winner – Renske Bouwens.

Male Age-Graded Championship Winner – Barry Burns.

Chairperson’s Award – Helen Dunn and Sian Burns for commitment to training nights, being there every week to support club members, organising the C25K programme and being race directors of The Santa Fun Run and Kymin Dash.

Meanwhile, on Sunday returning member Elizabeth Hattam took on the Warwick Half Marathon.

The undulating course took runners along fully closed roads and provided stunning views, a buzzing atmosphere and enthusiastic local support, which kept Liz motivated every step of the way.

With the final 2km slightly downhill, runners enjoyed a strong finish to the race.

And Liz, who is planning on running the upcoming Wild Horse 200-mile trail event in Wales, said after finishing in 2.03.28: ”I’d definitely recommend the Warwick Half.”

Meanwhile, 183 runners took part in Saturday’s Chippenham parkrun, headed by Newport Harriers’ Luke Gawthorn in 18.14.

Second home was Matt Cornish in 20.06, closely followed by Huw Evans (20.16), Matthew Forde (20.24) and Peter Newcombe (21.06).

Spirit's Matthew Visser was sixth fastest just two seconds further back, and only two seconds behind him was Andrew Wright, followed by Ben Hamilton (21.14), U17 Ben Heard (21.19) and rounding out the top 10 Digbert Rocktroll (21.33).

Fastest woman in 13th was Stephanie Loveland (22.20), followed by Alison Stuart (22.51) and junior runner Bronwen Williams in a PB 23.41.