2021 Photo Special

Paul Hawkins and The Hawkinettes. You had a better chance of seeing Haley's Comet this year than Paul. The good news is that he's threatening to return in January. This, the 50th newsletter of the year, is the annual photo round-up. It was another year when the surreal became the real. Again. It seems the new normal has been going on for so long, I can barely remember what the old normal was. But as these photos show it takes more than a worldwide pandemic to stop Stratford Upon Avon Athletic Club doing what it does and enjoying doing it. It was a year that started off virtual but then progressed to actual races and competitions and boy did we as a club make the most of it. It's worth remembering that none of this could happen without our many volunteer coaches and officials. None of it. Thank you. I'm sure you will all have your own favourite athletics memories from the last 12 months, for my part, they were the glorious return of Junior XC with over 50 of our junior endurance runners making the 50 mile round trip to Newbold Revel, also all of the Vets T&F fixtures, especially the one we hosted at the track and the Cup Final. Then there was that glorious day in September. The Club Championships, when the sun really did shine on the righteous. Just to see the smiles on the faces of members, parents, coaches and officials was something truly special. It definitely left me with a warm glow. If all's certainly not well with the world at the moment then for those precious few hours it somehow seemed as though it was. Life affirming. Here's hoping that in 2022 you or your children can enjoy the jumping, throwing, running, walking, swimming and cycling that this wonderful club of ours encourages. One Club One Voice. This will be the last newsletter of the year as I'm off for a week's break next week, so it just remains for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please take care. Very Best Wishes. David Jones. I bloody love this photo. Henry Thomas bends Toby Spriggs' ear about the current state of the world - or some such Little did Alex Yee realise when he won an individual silver medal at Tokyo in the triathlon and a team gold in the triathlon mixed relay that this would mean he would get to meet real triathlon royalty in our very own Charly Marshall. Proud to wear the vests. Andrew Pozzi in his club vest in Manchester earlier in the year and competing for GB in his 3rd successive Olympics in Tokyo. The boy done good. The boy done very good. Ben Kruze had an awesome record breaking year. Josh and Ben Harrison who undertook the challenge of running and cycling the 874 miles equivalent to driving from Lands End to John o'Groats, with the hopes of raising £874 for…