Gala Dinner 2026
7 March 26 / 6PM-12PM / £35 per Ticket
Colney Suite, Park Farm Hotel, Hethersett, NR9 3DL
Our Gala Dinner is a night for everyone at the club — a chance to come together, celebrate running, and look back on everything we’ve achieved over the last year. Whether you race every weekend, run for fun, coach, volunteer, or cheer from the sidelines, this evening is about recognising the people who make the club what it is.
The night will include awards, food, and plenty of time to celebrate and socialise with your fellow runners.
We’d love members to get involved by voting for Road Runner of the Year, XC Runner of the Year and by submitting nominations for the Hannah Purvis Award, to recognise someone in the club that you think has shown the qualities that Hannah personified.
All ticket request and voting must be done by 21/02/26
Awards presented on the night:
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Road Runner of the Year
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XC Runner of the Year
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Points Trophies
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Coaches’ Awards (one for each group)
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Spirit of WAC (for notable contributions to the club and running)
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Newcomer of the Year
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Honorary Member
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Lifetime Achievement Award
Come along and help us celebrate another brilliant year of running at the club
Our Nominees
Senior Female Road Runner of the Year
Dani Gilbert
WAC Group: Intermediate
Key achievements:
Dani achieved an impressive 10 new PBs in 2025, across seven distances. She accumulated 230 points in road racing and achieved 1 age group top three placing.
Runner’s highlight:
Abingdon Marathon was the standout moment of my year. At around mile 19, belief finally kicked in that sub-4 was happening, and I had that rare feeling of everything coming together.
Eloise Peek
WAC Group: Intermediate
Key achievements:
In 2025, Eloise amassed 199 points in track and road running and achieved 5 new personal bests. She also collected 4 top three age category placings.
Runner’s highlight:
Eloise chose the Paris Marathon as her personal highlight, as she knocked an impressive 10 mins off her London time!
Harriet Carr
WAC Group: Advanced
Key achievements:
Harriet’s achievements in 2025 included three new club records, achieved at the Folksworth 15, Wroxham 5k and Abingdon marathon. She accrued 253 points with her road and track racing, and an impressive 11 age group top 3 placings.
Runner’s highlight:
Harriet couldn’t pick just one highlight and instead chose a couple! Coming second in the MK Marathon (Harriet’s hometown!) as well as representing England Masters in the Abingdon marathon.
But most of all, Harriet said: “Just still loving the sport, even though I feel I may be addicted to the training!”
Laura Seville
WAC Group: Development
Key achievements:
Laura achieved the highest number of PBs across the whole club in 2025 – a very impressive 12! She also set a club record for 10k on the track. Overall, she achieved 212 points.
Runner’s highlight:
Laura chose her highlight as the Marham 10km, finishing the year with an impressive three-minute PB (one of her many for 2025!)
Phoebe Davis
WAC Group: Progression
Key achievements:
Phoebe achieved 6PBs this year (more on those in her personal highlights!) and collected 117 points in her road and track racing.
Runner’s highlight:
“2025 has been full of running highlights, but what stands out is running my first ever half marathon. I aimed to finish in under two hours, and did it in 1:54:24, with my sister by my side.
“I've also run PB's this year in the 5K, 5 mile, 10K and 10 mile distance - most recently managing to finally run sub-50 minutes at the Marham10K! All of which would not have been possible without the continuous amazing support from my fellow WAC members.”
Senior Male Road Runner of the Year
Charlie Wallis
WAC Group: Intermediates
Key achievements:
In his first year at the club, Charlie has achieved an impressive three PBs over the 5k, 10k and half marathon distances.
Runner’s highlight:
Charlie said his highlight was going sub 1.40 at Norwich Half, despite all the rain. He said: “Having Todd Lake as a pacer gave me the confidence to take a huge chunk off my PB and achieve far more than I’d previously thought possible.”
Gareth Seville
WAC Group: Advanced
Key achievements:
Gareth continued his strong form from 2024, achieving 10 PBs in 2025 – the highest number from any of WACs male runners and a PB in all the main road race distances. He achieved three club records and scored 265 points on the track and road.
Runner’s highlight:
Gareth chose the Frankfurt Marathon as his highlight of 2025. Gareth was really unwell in the weeks leading up to the race but still managed to achieve a PB, of 2.51.09 – nine minutes quicker than his previous PB and a potential London Good for Age qualifying time.
It was the conclusion to a year of hard work and significant progression across distances.
James Heaney
WAC Group: Progression/intermediate
Key achievements:
James has continued to represent the club with his usual positivity and determination this year, overcoming several injuries to achieve four PBs – in the half marathon, 10 miler and twice in the 10k.
Runner’s highlight:
Runner’s highlight: James says his highlight of the year was the Southwold Half Marathon. He said: “It was a new race, with perfect conditions where everything came together and I achieved an unexpected PB.”
Kev Simpson
WAC Group: Advanced
Key achievements:
Kev made incredible progress over 2025, achieving the highest number of racing points in the club’s history. He achieved three club records, eight PBs and two age category placings. His club records included the track marathon and track 10k
Runner’s highlight:
Kev said his highlight of his year has been hitting PBs in most distances, whilst covering a lot of miles and staying injury free. He said: “I have appreciated all of the great support from everyone at WAC.”
Veteran Female Road Runner of the Year
Claire Brown
WAC Group: Intermediate
Key achievements:
Claire achieved an impressive 317 points in her road racing in 2025, the highest of our nominated runners -in part due to her impressive 15 age category top 3 placings, the highest across our nominees. She also achieved a club record at Folksworth 15.
Runner’s highlight:
Claire picked the Boston Marathon as her personal highlight, her first marathon abroad. She enjoyed the excitement of riding yellow school buses to the start line of what proved to be a very buzzy race!
Kim Powles
WAC Group: Progression/Intermediate
Key achievements:
Kim achieved an outstanding 11 PBs in 2025 (just pipped by Laura’s 12 for the most in the Club) across seven distances. She also achieved 4 age category top 3 placings and 185 points.
Runner’s highlight:
"Battling the heat at the London Marathon, calves and quads on the edge of cramping, but giving my all to get a sub-4-hour time and a 39-minute PB."
Lou Boyce
WAC Group: Improvers
Key achievements:
Lou achieved 7 PBs in 2025, plus an age category top three placing. In total, she accrued 177 points with her road racing.
Runner’s highlight:
Lou couldn’t pick just one! So, “The one where I knocked 11 minutes off my 10-mile time at Bure Valley. The one where my Jack crossed the line of Manchester Marathon. The one where I had two of my offspring at Club. The one where Bea and I ran Reedham 10 together. The ones where I ran with my girls and there was coffee after.”
Louise McDonnell
WAC Group: Advanced
Key achievements:
Louise achieved three club records in 2025 - achieved at the Colchester 15, Worstead 5 mile and Bure Valley 10 mile races. She also achieved another PB, and 10 age category top 3 placings – achieving a total of 251 points in road racing.
Runner’s highlight:
Louise’s highlights of 2025 - representing Norfolk Team at Essex 20 and gaining a PB of 2:13. Plus, gaining an England Marathon Masters vest at Milton Keynes, before wearing it to represent England at Abingdon Marathon.
Sue Guest
WAC Group: Progression
Key achievements:
Sue achieved four new PBs in 2025, plus an impressive 8 age category top 3 placings – and a grand total of 132 points.
Runner’s highlight:
“Picture from my running highlight - Town of Celebration Half Marathon. Lovely course, great atmosphere, 3rd F60 and a new PB!”
Veteran Male Road Runner of the Year
David Houghton
WAC Group: Advanced
Key achievements:
David (Bod) achieved seven age group PBs in 2025 and one PB. He also scooped 17 top three age placings, including nine first places.
Runner’s highlight:
Bod said: “My running highlight was Peterborough Half Marathon because I managed to be PB by over a minute – my first PB since 2019.”
David Powles
WAC Group: Advanced/intermediates
Key achievements:
Dave achieved an impressive eight PBs over 2025, in all of the major road distances, including his first sub 40 10k and first sub 90 half marathon. He also achieved 243 points on road and track.
Runner’s highlight:
Dave also struggled to pick one highlight in a successful year, but chose Colchester Half Marathon. He said: “It was my first time running sub 90 and one of those races where you know from mile one that it’s going to be a good day!”
Ian Moore
WAC Group: Intermediates
Key achievements:
Key achievements: Ian achieved 11 top three age group finishes in 2025 and an impressive five age group PBs over 5 miles, 10k, 10 miles and twice over 5k.
Runner’s highlight:
Ian said 2025 was a fantastic year for him, with several age group PBs and race prizes. He added: “My highlight wasn’t my fastest 10k of the year, but I was delighted with what I achieved at the Humpty Dumpty 10k, with an age group win and a team prize.”
Steven McNicholas
WAC Group: Advanced
Key achievements:
Steven continued to impress with his speed in 2025, achieving a club record in the track mile, two PBs (over the 10k and 5k distances), four top threes age group prizes.
Runner’s highlight:
My highlight was getting a 5k PB of 16.27 at Wroxham and winning a county medal. I was especially pleased as it was a target I had working towards for a while. I also enjoyed running with some of the other members of the advanced group who I’d been training with. Their support and encouragement is invaluable and made a big difference
Tim Seville
WAC Group: Intermediate
Key achievements:
Tim achieved three club records at the half marathon, 20 mile and track 10k, a PB over the half marathon, 226 road and track points and 12 top three age category places.
Runner’s highlight:
Tim said his highlight of the year was the Cambridge Half Marathon where he achieved a PB and club record. He said: “I managed a sub 1.30 in warm conditions and was third in my age category – a lovely surprise considering the size of the field.”
Todd Lake
WAC Group: Intermediate/advanced
Key achievements:
Todd achieved an impressive 579 points on road and track in 2025 – the highest of our vet runners. He posted 11 club records, 22 top three finishes (15 age grade wins) and ranked in the top 20 in four distances.
Runner’s highlight:
Todd said if he had to pick just one, it would be reaching the podium in British Masters 1500 podium.
Female XC Runner of the Year
Jet Watkinson
Jet Watkinson has produced an exceptional run of performances across county, league and series competition. She claimed 1st place in the F40–44 category at the Norfolk County Cross Country Championships and was part of the Masters F35–49 team that won Gold, earning her selection to represent Norfolk at the Inter Counties XC. Her dominance in the EACCL has been remarkable: last season she finished 1st overall female in Races 5–10, securing the Ladies Individual League title, the F40 age category win and contributing to the Ladies League team victory. She has continued that form this season with overall wins in EACCL Races 2, 3 and 4 on the short course. Jet also placed 8th overall and 2nd F35 at the Eastern Counties XC Championships 5k, and won the overall Ryston Grand Prix Series as 1st F40, having already taken F40 wins in each of the first three races this season.
Tracie Dreager
Tracie Dreager has produced a series of strong and reliable performances throughout the season. She finished 3rd in the F60 age category at the Norfolk County Cross Country Championships and enjoyed a successful Ryston Grand Prix campaign, winning her F60 category in Race 5, adding further podium finishes, and securing 2nd place overall F60 across the six-race series. She has continued that form this season with another 2nd F60 in Race 1. In the EACCL, Tracie achieved F60 podium finishes in Races 5 and 8 and was an important member of the ladies’ league title-winning trio. She also won the overall F60 age category in the Broadland Country Park series, underlining her consistency across multiple competitions.
Claire Brown
Claire Brown has enjoyed an outstanding winter cross country season. She won her F60–64 age category at the Norfolk County Cross Country Championships and contributed to Wymondham AC’s silver medal in the Masters Women 50+ team prize. In the EACCL, Claire dominated her age category with wins in Races 6–10, securing the overall F60 series title and helping the ladies’ team to the league victory. She has continued her strong form this season with F60 wins in Races 2–4 and also claimed her F60+ category wins at both the Reepham XC and Chase the Train events as well as finishing 3rd lady overall at Chase the Train.
Lisa Greengrass
Lisa Greengrass has had an impressive season across cross country and trail racing. She finished 2nd in her F45–49 age category at the Norfolk County Cross Country Championships and was part of Wymondham AC’s Gold winning Masters Women 35–49 team. At the Reepham Cross Country, she was 2nd lady overall and won her F40–49 age category. In the EACCL, Lisa secured 2nd in Race 6 and 1st in Races 8–10, and this season she has added 2nd place finishes in Races 2 and 3 and 3rd in Race 4 (short course). She also claimed 3rd lady overall in the Let it Stow Trail Half Marathon.
Jo Rayner
Jo Rayner has had a strong cross-country season. She competed in the Norfolk County Cross Country Championships, ran in Ryston Grand Prix Races 4 and 6, and took part in EACCL Races 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10. This season she began with a 1st place finish in her F55 age category in Race 1 of the Ryston XC Grand Prix Series.
Male XC Runner of the Year
Adrian Hall
Adrian Hall has enjoyed another strong and consistent cross-country season. He competed in the Norfolk County Cross Country Championships. He won all three races in his M60–64 age category in the Broadland Country Park Horsford Series to take the overall series award, and has already opened the current season with another M60 category win. He added further victories with M60 age category wins at the Reepham Cross Country and the Felbrigg Cross Country 10k. In the EACCL, Adrian delivered a series of high finishes last season, including multiple podium places in the M60 category, and was part of Wymondham AC’s Men’s League title-winning quartet. He has continued that form this season with podium finishes in Races 2 and 3 and a category win in Race 4. In the Ryston Grand Prix Series he secured 2nd place overall in the M60 category last season and has again finished 2nd M60 in each of the first three races of the current series.
Tony Beales
Tony Beales, our cross-country captain, has been the driving force behind the club’s successes, inspired with his passion and enthusiasm for cross country and off-road running. His leadership and motivation produced a record 49 Wymondham AC entries at the 2025 Norfolk County Cross Country Championships, making the club the best represented club at the championships. Tony also delivered strong personal performances himself, finishing 3rd in his M55 age category at both the Felbrigg Cross Country 10K and Run Henham 10K, and claiming victory in his M55 category in EACCL Race 3 (short course).
Dave Powles
Dave Powles has had a strong cross country season, competing in the Norfolk County Cross Country Championships, the Orion 15 in Essex, and the Bodicca Ultra Marathon. He excelled in the EACCL, finishing 3rd in his M45 age category in Races 5, 6, 8, and 9, and contributing to Wymondham AC’s Men’s League title-winning quartet, ultimately placing 7th in the final individual men’s league table. He has continued his consistent form this season with a 3rd place M45 finish in EACCL Race 4.
Adam Baker
Adam Baker has enjoyed an excellent and consistent season. He finished 3rd in the M50–54 age category at the Norfolk County Cross Country Championships and was part of the Masters Men 50+ trio that won Gold. In the EACCL, Adam recorded four M50 wins last season (Races 5, 6, 8 and 10) with a 2nd place in Race 7, and has continued his strong form this season with M50 victories in Races 2, 3 and 4. He was also a key member of the EACCL Men’s League winning quartet, contributing significantly to the team’s overall success.
Steve Bird
Steve Bird has contributed strongly to Wymondham AC’s success in cross country. He competed in EACCL Races 5–10 last season, helping secure the Men’s League title, and has continued his participation this season in Races 2 and 4.
