Annual Awards 2022 – Our shortlists!

We are delighted to announce the shortlists for this year’s jogscotland Annual Awards!

The awards will be presented on Saturday 29 October at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, as part of the 4J Studios Annual Awards Dinner. The night will see the very best of both scottishathletics and jogscotland celebrated, with the event hosted by Bryan Burnett.

Guests of Honour this year will be none other than Geoff Wightman and Katharine Merry, two of the voices of athletics in Britain and beyond. The pair are renowned for commentating together on track and field events all over the world – with Geoff particularly in the spotlight this year as he commentated on son Jake’s World Championship 1500m win in Oregon in the summer. Read more from Geoff and Katharine on the scottishathletics website.

We received an incredible 171 nominations for this year’s jogscotland awards, across the four categories – huge thanks to everybody who took the time to make a nomination. We look forward to celebrating the recipients of our Jog Leader of the Year, Group of the Year, 20th Anniversary Achiever of the Year, and SAMH Mental Wellbeing awards.

Tickets for the Awards Dinner are on sale now

All those on this year’s shortlists exemplify the very best of jogscotland, and we’re thrilled to be able to highlight their achievements:

jogscotland 20^th Anniversary Achiever

George Findlay (Anster Allsorts) – The driving force behind Anster Allsorts, George’s enthusiasm motivates the entire group. From an initial eight joggers, George has grown the group to over 90 members over the past 10 years. He gets the Allsorts involved in many jogscotland initiatives as well as innovative events of his own devising. He has established groups for all levels of jogger as well as Jeffers and walkers, and has raised thousands for charity.

Jim Glennie (On The Run Cumbernauld) – Jim has been an inspiration to runners in Cumbernauld since the early days of jogscotland, initially leading a group with North Lanarkshire Leisure, then setting up the independent OTR Cumbernauld 10 years ago. His quiet, unassuming manner is described as very supportive and encouraging to the hundreds of joggers he has led over the years. A runner himself since the early ‘80s, Jim has decades of experience and shares it generously.

Toni McIntosh (Toni’s Tigers) – Toni was one of the first jog leaders trained when jogscotland launched 20 years ago. She has faced injury and mental health challenges but talks about them openly to make others feel less alone. She now enjoys seeing Toni’s Tigers thrive under the guidance of new jog leader Rhona, and remains a great supporter of the jogscotland ethos, having herself helped so many people to get active over the years.

Jog Leader of the Year

Tony Beacom (jogscotland Hatton) Despite facing his own health issues this year, Tony has been a dedicated jog leader to his group, checking in with members through messaging and social media whenever he was unable to attend a session. He is described as “the linchpin of our group and community,” and members of his group have greatly valued his support on their journeys from non-runner to runner.

Rachel Cox (Monkton Milers) One Monkton Miler said Rachel’s ”enthusiasm and energy is electric”. She is a dedicated jog leader who supports her group members and gets involved in a wide range of jogscotland initiatives. On top of being a mum and working full-time for the NHS, Rachel is a selfless jog leader who can challenge and encourage every member of her group regardless of their background or ability.

Sheila Johnston (Callander Saturday Morning 5K) Sheila has created a fantastic group to bring together people of all ages and abilities to run or walk on a Saturday morning. Her enthusiasm is described as “infectious”, and she is the biggest cheerleader of the group’s participants. She helps all group members equally, and helps members to complete challenges they would never have dreamed of before meeting her, often travelling to support them at events.

Group of the Year

Buggy Fitness Group Dunfermline – A friendly, welcoming group, inspiring and supporting the parents, carers and children who attend. From stretches to beep tests to timed runs, the group enjoys a variety of activities, while also helping and reassuring each other when dealing with toddlers on the move or comforting crying babies. Members feel they have made friends for life and youngsters learn that physical activity is fun.

jogscotland Aquithie – Founded in 2020, jogscotland Aquithie began with solo runs during lockdown as the community grew on social media, and gathered in person as soon as regulations allowed. As a group, members set themselves the challenge of training for and completing a half marathon. Despite personal setbacks, the group supported each other to complete their winter training. They crossed the finish line together and raised £3000 for Mental Health Aberdeen.

Killie Striders – Killie Striders has been operating for 10 years but since leader Rosie McGrane took over a year ago, membership has gone from 30 joggers to 100+. The group is described as welcoming, encouraging and friendly, with new members put at ease within moments. Joggers wait by the finish for the final runner to cross the line no matter how long it takes. The group fundraise for two charities each year.

SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award

Irvine Running Club The jog leaders of Irvine Running Club openly encourage members to talk about mental health as much or as little as they feel able to or want to, and offer support in a non-judgemental setting. They are also open about their own mental health challenges and are willing to share their own experiences of how running has changed their lives for the better.

Gavin Matthew (jogscotland Hatton)  When Gavin joined jogscotland Hatton in February, he quickly found that running lifted his mood, socialising with the group was enjoyable, and he was very open with group members about the mental health challenges he had experienced. He came out of his ‘buckie’ and grew in confidence as he racked up the miles, even completing his first half marathon in August. He is now an enthusiastic advocate of the mental health benefits of running, talking publicly about his own journey to encourage others.

Catriona Whitelaw (Milestones jogscotland)  Cat is a popular jog leader who has supported joggers through beginners’ nerves and anxiety to build their confidence and reach significant milestones in their running. She has helped members through difficulties such as illness and bereavement and always takes the time to listen. She and the group regularly fundraise for charity, most recently raising over £2000 for the hospital ward where a group member has received treatment.