Running Somewhere Else celebrated Christmas, recognised the club’s high-achieving members and managed to raise funds for the Churn Project at its annual Christmas party on December 1

The event, held by the running club at the Corinium Hotel, was attended by more than 50 club members, who enjoyed a three course meal, applauded their fellow runners and even had a dance to a DJ!

The club announced its 2017 competition winners at the event. Club coach Dave Whitlow made the presentations to the ladies and Club Captain Elaine Chapman made the presentations to the men.

The Men’s Champion this year was former club coach Matt Lambourne, a fitting end to his time as a club member, as he will be leaving the club in January following a move to Cheltenham. Elaine Chapman won the Women’s Championship, after another stellar year.

Most Improved Runner was won by Amanda Tyler, who has come back from a serious injury this year to run some great races and even complete a marathon.

The winner of Runners’ Runner, voted for by club members, was Nadine Brown. Nadine was chosen by members for her inspirational and positive attitude, as well as her running achievements, which included running ten 10K races in the year, several half marathons and a marathon.

The club used the event as an excuse to start unofficial fundraising for next season’s club charity, The Churn Project. The Christmas raffle raised £135 for the charity. The next event RSE will be using to raise funds for the charity will be the Painswick Rudolph Rampage on December 17.

RSE Chair Caroline Coates said: “We all had a fantastic time at the party. It’s great to look back at the year and see what we have all achieved and celebrate some special people from within the club, who all deserved their awards. It seemed like a good opportunity to bring in funds for Churn, and we will be looking forward to raising more at the Rudolph Rampage in into 2018.

“I’d like to thank Martin Sherriff, Tracey Pitts, Nadine Brown and Elspeth Murano for their hard work and dedication organising the event, and for the Corinium Hotel for making us so welcome and producing such brilliant food.”