Cheers to the Victors! About 40 club members gathered on a beautiful Saturday in November to celebrate another great year of running with the Guelph Victors. We kicked the afternoon off with a relaxed 5 km run along the Eramosa River, stopping at various bridges to highlight the outstanding achievements of some of our runners, nominated by fellow members. We then headed to The Wooly for some post-run refreshments, club announcements, and camaraderie.

• CONSISTENCY AND DEDICATION AWARD: DEREK HALL

For impressively consistent training and racing all year long

• TEAM SPIRIT AWARD: ZOE CLARKE 

For endless enthusiasm and positivity at track workouts (thumbs up!), including cheering on others while setting an example of working hard towards her own running goals.

Honourable mention: Aaron Kennedy for impacting the club with his friendliness and stellar running

• ROOKIES OF THE YEAR: KATEY TEEKASINGH AND CHI BACH 

For consistent training and steady improvement at track workouts throughout the year… with a smile!

• THE DUCT TAPE AWARD: AARON FARRELL AND STEPHANIE BANGARTH

For showing inspirational perseverance while battling through injuries

• RACE WITH GRACE AWARD: MARY CATHERINE STEWART AND STEPHANIE SEEBACH

For enduring epic race mix-ups (one well-earned first-place 10K finish initially awarded to the wrong person, and one accidental half marathon PB on a short course)

• USHER POSLUSZNY AWARD (TROPHY): BRANDON GUILD 

For an outstanding single-race performance (First place at the Nova Scotia Marathon with a finish time of 2:54:48)

Honourable mentions: JD Sherman, Tom Wood, Tanya Porcellato, and Elizabeth Waywell

• GRIT AND DETERMINATION AWARD (TROPHY): CHRISTOPH KESSEL  

For a particularly tenacious race at the ENDURun race series (ran 6 individual races which totalled 160 km of racing over a single  week)

• MULTISPORT AWARD (TROPHY): ELIZABETH STEWART

For an outstanding triathlon season: Barrie Sprint Tri, Lakeside Sprint Tri

Honourable mentions: Angela Hofstra, Lindsay Robinson, and Therese Gregorio 

• SHOW ME THE MONEY AWARD: WENDY GREENFIELD

For years of volunteer service to the Guelph Victors leadership committee as Treasurer. Wendy always provided a welcoming smile at track and time trials, and was eager to volunteer whenever and wherever help was needed. She kept our books balanced and our workouts running smoothly. 

• COACH TIM AWARD: TIM UUKSULAINEN

For providing expert guidance and sharing valuable wisdom with members of the Guelph Victors club over the years as a coach. The Guelph Victors have been very fortunate indeed that Tim decided to retire in Guelph and share his vast experience and dedication to the sport with us. Tim served on the leadership committee, planned workouts, called out splits, gave constant encouragement and advice, and organized many time trials for the club. 

• ROGER BANNISTER AWARD (TROPHY): BRAD MORLEY 

For exemplary service to our broader Guelph community. Although he has stepped back from his role on the Guelph Victors leadership committee over the past year, Brad continues to be a consistent presence at most of our workouts and time trials. Beyond the Victors, Brad organized a book launch at the University of Guelph, helped out with thanksgiving day races, and continues to be a dedicated weekly volunteer at our local community parkrun event.

• VIC MATTHEWS AWARD (TROPHY): ART KILGOUR  

Vic Matthews was our founding coach in the 1970s. The club is named after him, and we present an award in his name each year for outstanding service to the Guelph Victors. This year the recipient is Art Kilgour, for his tireless dedication to ensuring the success of the Guelph Victors club since 2016. Art has contributed to every aspect of the club’s events and initiatives, including acting as the chair of the leadership committee, working on weekly communications, bylaw development, facility bookings, virtual victors, and volunteering at workouts, time trials, and tempo runs.

The Award Winners

Reveal Run Highlights

POST-RUN SOCIAL

Thanks to each of our members for supporting the Guelph Victors and contributing to a club environment that both challenges and encourages everyone. Kudos to the leadership committee members, coaches, and volunteers who kept our workouts, time trials, and events running smoothly all year. This year we paid special tribute to four leadership committee members who are stepping away after years of dedicated volunteer service to the club: Art Kilgour, Brad Morley, Tim Uuksulainen, and Wendy Greenfield. Thank you for contributing your time and effort to make the club what it is today!