Run Leader Award October 2021: Yvonne Harrison

We are pleased to announce our latest Run Leader Award winner, Yvonne Harrison, Run Leader of Trail Snails, Bingley. We were delighted for Kukri’s continued sponsorship for the October 2021 award and thank all those who took part.

Nominations for this award come from running groups across the UK. This involves our entire RunTogether community and over 30,000 running groups. Judging the winner from the nominations has been a difficult task for our RunTogether HQ and Kukri. With so many great Run Leaders / Mentors and running groups that have been set up, we have decided to keep this award going bi-monthly. This gives other Run Leaders the opportunity to be celebrated for their efforts and achievements.

If you know someone in your running group that you think deserves some recognition, make sure to nominate them in January!

Nominated by group member David

Runner David Robertshaw from Trails Snails Bingley running group nominated his run leader Yvonne Harrison. David said “she is a fantastic Run Leader from beginning to end, always encouraging, supportive and really knows how to manage the group well. All of this provided was as a volunteer. Absolutely awesome!!”

Accepting her Run Leader award, Yvonne said:

"When I received the email to say I had been nominated I was really pleased but genuinely surprised as to be honest I felt I just turn up give everyone some directions and off we go for a run. However, my aim as a Run Leader is to try and ensure everyone enjoys their runs out with the group, although if you ask some of them after a run with a hill involved, they don’t always agree!"

RunTogether is a great platform for many who may think that perhaps running is for elite athletes only, it is inclusive and welcoming, and provides great opportunities for those who wish to take up running but thinking it's not for me, or I can never do that.”

Taking part matters

"I joined the newly formed Trail Snails Bingley running group to complete my own couch to 5K in May 2018. From the beginning it has been a group that has supported each other in their running journey, and although it has grown substantially, that ethos is still at the heart of the group. Whether it is someone running their first full 5k or others who have progressed to half and full marathons. People have moved on, but once a Snail you are always considered part of the family."

Lockdown did have an impact on everyone. But as a group, they continued to support each other with various virtual challenges set by Sam Swift our other group running leader. And sometimes just a shout out over social media if someone was finding times challenging made you feel as you had a group who would be there for you.

When I took over running the last Couch to 5k running group I must admit I was more than a little nervous. I wanted to ensure that it was enjoyable and instil in the beginner runners that yes you can achieve this goal. The course however was a joy, with everyone embracing the challenge with good humour, and a determinedness to complete it. I was lucky I also had a great group of volunteers from the veteran Snails who came along and supported myself and the new runners. What has been even more satisfying is that they have all continued running and coming to our regular runs.”

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Nominate your Runner of the month for the November 2021 Award

Don’t forget to make your nomination! Run Leaders can nominate a runner for the Runner Award for November and upcoming months. For more information on nominating a running coach, contact us. You can also find intermediate to beginner’s running groups in London on our find a group run page.