PENARTH and Dinas Runners celebrated the end of another hugely competitive season with their annual presentation evening.

After months of training, early morning races and personal duels, runners were rewarded for their efforts and crowned winners of age categories.

To qualify for an award, each running club member had to complete a minimum of four races from the club's 15 championship fixtures, with the best eight scores making up their total. The first runner home achieves 20 points, the second 19, the third 18, and so on.

Prizes are separated into overall men's and women's champions, who are taken out of their age group, and then the top three of each age category.

Voted for by club members, the first award of the night was for club member of the year, where the most inspirational member is rewarded. For the first time, there was a tie and Ian Warburton, who has recently started leading club sessions, and Rob Wilcox, who has been club treasurer for a number of years, shared the prize.

The chairman's award went to Emily Luke in recognition of her dedication to running, and highlighted by her recently taking part in a gruelling cross country race whilst six months pregnant!

After a stellar year. where she won eight races, achieving maximum points, as well as finishing first veteran woman in the Welsh Castles Relay, Debbie Evans was crowned women's club champion for 2013.

Gary Brown, who also achieved first place in all his eight fixtures, retained the men's club championship, and was taking the award for the third time.

In the senior women's category, Danielle Rayner and Ruth Owens were third and second respectively, and Lindsey Hunt was crowned the champion. Lindsey was also voted the most improved woman of the year after achieving personal best times in almost every race she took part in.

In the senior men's category, Andrew Frayling, in his first year with the running club after starting a couch to 5k programme, was third, Chris Seal was 2second for the second year in a row and Richard Jackson-Hookins was first. Richard was also voted most improved man of the Yyear after a stellar year of smashing personal best times and narrowing the gap on clubmate Gary Brown.

Heather Williams Dennis was crowned veteran women's champion.

Ian Warburton was crowned veteran men's champion, with Robert Wilcox in second spot, while, in the senior veteran women's category, the top three were Lisa Cleary, Andrea Hurman and Janice Clement.

In the senior veteran men's category, Rob Wilson, who is ranked second in Britain for his age category in the ironman after his efforts at the Copenhagen Ironman last year, was third, Lyn Evans was second and Clem Clement was first.

In the ladies' super senior veteran's category, Yvonne Williams was second and Judy Maranga was first.

In the men's super senior veteran's category, Paul Furlong was second and Malcolm Bradley, who was also seventh overall, was first.

The presentation evening was held at Penarth Rugby Club and also featured a bring your own buffet, filled with savoury food and delicious home made cakes, as well as a quiz led by the inimitable Steve Hill.

Congratulations to every runner that took part in the club championship and well done to all those that walked home with awards. Enjoy your awards and good luck for 2014!

The next race for Penarth and Dinas Runners will be the Gwent League Cross Country fixture in Brecon on February 8.