Athlete of the Month – June 2023 – Nikkii Barnett

This months AOM goes to Nikkii Barnett

Not only does Nikki represent us at all our races, if she can’t race she will be there marshalling with the biggest smile on her face. As we all know Nikki recently won the V50 cat at the Elvis Olympic Park 5k on Tuesday 27th June and past accolades include, team bronze for the v50s at the Essex Relays in the spring and she took home the V50 title at the Mob Match against South London Harries back in Feb. Nikki you are a fantastic athlete and a credit to the team. Well done to you

We would also like to recognize Zoe Oldfield’s achievements.

Zoe recently became a 2nd claim member with us, and was the 1st V40 across the line at the Olympic park last week. Zoe has also achieved 18:45 for a 5k and 39:30 for a 10k plus won vrs Essex medals and also competes in the Vets Masters and the SAL plus volunteers at parkrun!

Good to have you on board Zoe.

Congratulations to you both

Athlete of the Month – May 2023 – Simon Carter

Simon has had an outstanding few months competing in a whole load of different events on different terrains across the UK. He is often setting PB’s and pushing himself to achieve the best he can in each race. Simon is present at most of the races despite not having the luxury of driving and he even got the bus to Writtle last year which definitely goes above and beyond. Well done Simon you are a credit to the club keep up the good work.

Honorary mentions for the following (in no particular order)

Adam Baker – Representing England Masters v Wales and medalling.

Nick Shasha – Qualifying to represent England Masters (again)

Rich Smith Thomas Grimes Michael McTernan Will Reed-Wright Ellie Baverstock – All chosen to represent Essex at the Senior British Inter-Counties Mountain Race in Cumbria.

Ellie Baverstock setting a new course record at the Halstead Marathon

Mark Curling for finishing 3rd overall at Halstead also Scott Reid Ben Francis Mark Curling picking up Essex team medal and Scott Reid collecting an individual medal too

Lewis Harknett winning two medals at the Essex T+F championships

Last but not least Lucy Smith for setting new PB’s at Witham 10m and Hatfield Broad Oak 10k after overcoming injury. Hopefully she is getting back to her best

There are many other quality performances throughout the month and Orion Harriers values everyone of you

Athletes of the Month – April 2023 – Katie Woolf and Jennie Ingrey

This month’s shout out goes to the incredible Jennie Ingrey and Katie Woolf

These fabulous group leaders consistently led our Group 3 and 4 marathon groups in all weathers and helped all those take part cross the finish line and for some, gain a PB. This was while they too, were training for London. Jennie achieved a fantastic sub 4 (3hrs 53:22) and has gained herself a GFA place for London 2024 and for Katie, this was her first London marathon and she crossed the line in an incredible 4hrs 32:42.

Everyone that joined their groups have said what a credit they are to the club and how invaluable the marathon training sessions are and that they couldn’t have done it without them. So a BIG thank you from all of OH to you both.

Also a thank you too to Evarine Botha for organising the coach and after race drinks which went down very well with everyone

From a men’s perspective hug congratulations to Stephen Thompson and Das Gonnella who both ran marathon PB’s at London and Hamburg respectively.

Also a big thank you to Neil Swift who not only performed excellently at London but also kept everyone motivated by organising the faster long Sunday runs

Athlete of the Month – March 2023 – Brian Jenkins

Brian Jenkins (Amy Jenkins) has been a highly respected XC focused competitor for a number of years. Season 2022/23 has been a highly successful season for him picking up various trophies along the way including Essex League Vets individual and team prizes, Essex Vets Champs prizes plus playing a key role in all three Mob Match team wins. January saw him finish 3rd at the 100th Mercury, he then won the SLH Mob Match in February. March continued in the same vein and was to be a great month for the Tipperary man as he won the club vet XC champs as part of a memorable Mob Match win at Richmond and then finished the season with an epic 4th place and 1st Orion Harrier at the legendary Orion 15. As if that isn’t enough he has also been selected to be part of the Essex inter-counties Fell team to race in Cumbria. Well done Brian!

Congratulations also to Thomas Grimes Rich Smith Michael McTernan Will Reed-Wright Ellie Baverstock who have all been called up to represent Essex at the inter-counties Fell championships

Arthur Ansell who represented Essex at the inter-schools XC championships at Loughbough

Athlete of the Month – February 2023 – Laura Graham-Clare

The winner for February is Laura Graham-Clare

Laura is a relatively new member but has donned the white vest pretty much from the get go which has put her in good stead for promotion to our GP Ladies Division 1.

Laura recently took part in the winning Mob Match against Ranelagh and then went on and did the Cambridge Half the following day!

Her biggest achievement was at the National Cross Country Championship in Leeds where Laura was the only ladies rep for us finishing in a respective 44min and 34seconds so, I want to congratulate her on her great efforts and her consistency across the season. Keep it up Laura.

I also wanted to praise India Emery and Erin Molloy, the U20s who have raced for the Orion Ladies this season.

Keep up the good work girls, you are great role models for the other juniors.

Athlete of the Month – January 2023 – Ellie Baverstock

The winner for January is Ellie Baverstock although a recent recruit to the club she has achieved an excellent 13th position in the home Essex League fixture in November, followed this up with a magnificent Valencia marathon of 03:00:06 and rounded off a great three months by becoming Orion Harriers female XC champion at the recent Mercury 10 mile race. She also achieved an unbelievable 10th place (2nd female) at the South Downs Way 100m in June. Yes that is 100 miles for those wondering . I’m sure you will agree she is a fantastic addition to the club and we are proud to have you as a member

Athlete of the Month – November 2022 – Rich Smith & Hannah White

Rich Smith

Rich has had an outstanding year competing to a very high level in multiple summer races including valuable Essex Champ races most notably a 1:16 run at the Pleshey Half Marathon (see pic). He has collected various Essex medals and carried his great form and team into the cross-country season leading from the front with strong performances at One Tree Hill and Writtle. We are lucky to have him and as deputy men’s captain he is leading by example. A nicer man you will struggle to meet.

Hannah Faye White

Like Rich she competed to a high level in the very competitive Essex events in the summer and has really made her mark in all three Essex League events. She placed 20th at One Tree Hill, 23rd at Chingford and 15th at Writtle. She is currently 8th in the overall standings, and we are all very proud of her especially as she trains so hard around her demanding job and is encouraging for everyone. Keep up the good work

Athlete of the Month – August 2022 – Nathan Boase

Boys’ Captain Nathan broke Frankie Conway’s 12 year record at U20s level in the 1500m in a time of 3minutes 58 seconds 02. In recent months he has earned an Essex vest and smashed his goals for 800m (1min 57sec) and 1500 as already stated. Top work Nathan.

We would also like to mention the following:

Lucy Charles-Barclay needs no introduction. In August she become World Champion at the World Triathlon Long Distance Championships. She has more gold these days than Mr. T at a wedding!

Also nominated due to their outstanding effort to the club was Steve Bennett and Katherine Lucas Taylor who helped make the 5k On the Rides so successful this year and really made them social events. We have had so many positive comments. Well done guys.

If you want to nominate a candidate for the Athlete of the month, please contact me or Angie Flight by the 5th of the following month (so the deadline for nomination for the September award is October 5th). The criteria is that they must have done something amazing in that month (either with sporting prowess or doing something for the club). This could be winning a race or someone bringing down their marathon time by a big margin or perhaps an outstanding contribution to make sure a race went ahead, for example.

Athlete of the Month – June 2022 – Mary Armitage
Mary picked up silver for the Midweek League for the V55 category and was part of a team who ensured Orion finished the league strongly. Mary is an ever present for the MWL and seems to pick up medals most years for the club. She is friendly face who has supported the club for years and helped others with their running.
We would also like to mention Hayley Rogerson and Russell Brown who picked up Silver at MWL as well. Chris Scott was nominated for his fantastic and ongoing contribution to the Southern Athletics League, he competed in 7 different events at the Parliament Hill SAL. Well done to Ollie Bushardi for running 15.30 in June (15.25 in July) for the 5k and Joseph Owen for running 1.50 for the 800m in June ( yesterday he broke the Orion record in the 800m at Watford in an amazing time of 1min 48 seconds).

Athlete of the Month – May 2022 – Phu Ly
Well done to Phu for a big PB of 3hours and 4 minutes at Halstead Marathon and picking up Essex Medals for V40 & Team (Bronze). Especially impressive on a humid day on an undulating course. Everyone has seen this guy training hard so nice to see him get the result. He’s also mucks in making this club run by volunteering at races or raking sand at the SAL! Hero.
It was a very tough month to choose a winner. We would also like to congratulate Scott Reid and Neil Swift who also picked up Essex medals in their Age categories (golds). Big well done to Patrick Brown who won his 100th Walthamstow parkrun in the month of May, an achievement that was years in the making! Lewis Harknett continues collecting Essex Golds with this wins this month too.

Athlete of the Month – April 2022 – Christine Kennedy
When is this lady not winning silverware? She picked up gold at the Essex Relays along with Karen Allworthy and Julie Robinson. Then this weekend Christine has gone and won the Witham 10 in her age category (beating the V50 winner in the process) and picking up Essex gold. She has consistently won competitions during her time with Orion. What a star.
Well done Christine. Keep earning those medals!

Athlete of the month – March 2022 – Donald Bennet
Well done to Donald who went sub 17 minutes at Serpentine’s Last Friday of the month 5k in Hyde Park. Donald has worked hard, you’ll see him at the track every Tuesday. He chipped away at that 5k time to get himself a well earned PB of 16:58!!! Not only that, he then ran the Battersea 5k on 30th March to improve his PB to 16:53. We love to see solid training, hard work and determination pay off. More PBs to come. Go on the Don!

Athlete of the month – February 2022 – Colin Read
Well done to Colin Read who took Silver in Essex League’s V50 Category. Colin has picked up silverware for Orion for years now. He also helps Coaching the Juniors at the Track with Shayne Bellas

If you want to nominate a candidate for the Athlete of the month, please contact clubcaptain@orionharriers.com by the 5th of the following month The criteria is that they must have done something amazing in that month (either with sporting prowess or doing something for the club). This could be winning a race or someone bringing down their marathon time by a big margin, for example.