Our 4J Annual Award Winners 2023 are announced!

Above: Group of the Year, Carluke jogscotland. All photos by Bobby Gavin www.thatonemoment.co.uk

The winners of the 4J Studios jogscotland Annual Awards have been announced at a glittering event in Glasgow. We celebrated the very best of our community, alongside the scottishathletics clubs and athletes that have excelled in the past 12 months. The evening included the chance to hear from Guest of Honour Eilidh Doyle, interviewed by host Bryan Burnett.

But the real stars for us were the jogscotland winners, whose stories exemplified the wonderful things that are achieved at our groups. Not only in terms of fitness and health, but the friendships, sense of community, and wellbeing that come from being part of a jogscotland group.

Huge congratulations to all the winners, who were as follows:

Group of the Year – Carluke jogscotland

Carluke jogscotland have been running since 2011, but in the last year have made a real effort to get more involved in the local community. The group have completed two parkrun takeovers, have collected donations for their local foodbank, and took part in the town’s Gala Day in fancy dress. They took part in the first National Running Week arranged by Athletics Trust Scotland, with a special run along the Clyde Valley, and continue to reach out to the community, having recently made connections with their local Men’s Shed. This is in addition to running sessions for all abilities, supporting the health and wellbeing of the town.

Achiever of the Year – Emma Louise Chegwyn (Ellon Sole Mates)

After suffering hearing loss, balance issues, sickness, and numbness, Emma underwent a seven hour brain surgery in October 2022 to remove a very large benign tumour wrapped around her brain and nerves. She has permanently lost hearing in one ear, and her balance was compromised after surgery, but having learned to walk again, she joined Ellon Soul Mates walkers. She quickly progressed to Learn to Run, and is now an intermediate runner. She inspires the rest of the group with her bravery and her lust for life.

Jog Leader of the Year – Michael Gowans (Migo Run Club)

Michael creates sessions that are fun and engaging, taking time to explain the purpose of each session and making sure they can be tailored to different ability levels. He listens to, and acts on feedback, and makes adaptations accordingly. He has hosted collections for local foodbanks and the charity Refuweegee. His sessions are described as ‘the perfect tonic’, and he is praised as a jog leader with selfless dedication, and a fantastic motivator.

SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award – Newton Road Runners

In August 2021, a member of Newton Road Runners, Cat Gaskell, sadly lost her life as a result of mental health difficulties. In the aftermath, the club decided to take steps to help members in future. All their coaches and leaders attended a First Aid Mental Health Awareness course. The club have an organised 3k/10K annual event to celebrate Cat’s life and raise awareness and funds for mental health charities. In 2022 they raised money for the charity Penumbra Mental Health. This year it will raise money for SAMH, as the club has now become a signatory to SAMH’s Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity and Sport. Newton Road Runners want to promote awareness of mental health and hopefully support their members where possible.

Below – Newton Road Runners with CEO of SAMH, Billy Watson