Merseyside Running Community Awards are back with more categories for 2015 – and nominations are now open.

The awards celebrate, recognise and thank the individuals and groups who make a huge difference to Merseyside running.

This year sees the introduction of four new categories, bringing the total to 10 awards up for grabs.

The awards dinner will take place on Friday, 13 November at The Richmond Hotel Liverpool on Hatton Garden.

Nominations are open until Monday, 5 October. A shortlist of three finalists per category will be announced on Monday, 12 October, when voting will officially open for three weeks. Voting will then close on Sunday, 1 November.

Merseyside Running Community Awards are the brainchild of RUN (Running Unites Network), a group of like-minded keen volunteer runners from across Merseyside who meet on a regular basis to discuss all things running with RUN hosts, race organisers BTR Liverpool. The RUN group is open to all to get involved.

Collectively, RUN and BTR Liverpool created the Merseyside Running Community Awards last year to showcase and celebrate all that is positive and inspiring about the sport locally.

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing and delivering headline race events in Liverpool City Region. Its growing portfolio includes the Mersey Tunnel 10K; Port Sunlight 10K/5K/1K; Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon; Wirral Half Marathon/10K; and Medicash Santa Dash Liverpool.

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell commented:

“The RUN Group and BTR are thrilled with how the running community has embraced the awards from day one, feedback has been excellent and very encouraging. These are awards for runner, by runners, which is really important.

“Nominations have already started flooding in. There are so many runners across Merseyside who remain unsung heroes for what they are achieving and how they inspire others, so this is the perfect way for them to be recognised by their fellow runners.

“Last year’s finalists received 2,200 votes – so let’s see if we can beat this and get an awards personal best for 2015 and double this year’s number of nominations and votes.”

Merseyside Running Community categories for 2015 are:

Inspirational Individual
This category is open to individuals who have inspired other runners and/or to recognise those who have overcome or continue through adversity including illness, injury or disability.

Services To The Running Community
This category is open to candidates who have encouraged, helped, served or influenced others in the sport of running.

Best Running Moment
This is an opportunity to recognise those special moments from all aspects of running. A chance to highlight those special moments experienced first-hand or witnessed when training or during events – and everything between.

Volunteer Team
Nominate a team or group that has helped at an organised event and provided much needed support on race or event day.

Running Personality
Highlight an individual who has demonstrated something unique throughout the year or who has achieved something of significance, or maybe they are deserving of the title simply because of what they mean to running.

Charity Fundraiser
This category will recognise the efforts of a person or team from the Merseyside running community who are fundraising for a charity, local or national. What makes them special and stand out from the rest?

Club Of The Year
Is you think you belong to the best running club then nominate them and tell us why. This category is open to all running clubs across Merseyside, new or old. Let the friendly battle – and banter – commence!

Newcomer of the Year
The sport continues to grow on Merseyside, attracting new runners all the time. Which newcomers are giving their all? Nominees must have been running for less than one year. Their first official running event (if any so far) must not have been before November 2014. Open to all ages.

Lifetime Achievement
This category seeks to acknowledge the achievements of a member of the Merseyside Running Community who has made a distinctive and long term contribution to the sport.

Running Image of the Year
We’re looking for an image that captures exactly what the sport is all about – determination, effort or pure joy and elation. As they say, a picture is worth a 1,000 words!

Nominations with a short overview of the individual/group should be sent via email to awards@btrliverpool.com or by post to Merseyside Running Community Awards, c/o BTR Liverpool, 23 Hatton Garden, L3 2FE. Alternatively, nominations can be dropped into BTR during office hours.

Tickets for the awards dinner will go on sale on Monday, 12 October, when the shortlist is announced and full details are released.

Here is video link with background to the award:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCzoIE4PNig

Here’s a reminder of last year’s awards and worthy winners:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=17&v=HGDoa-cQ44M

Updates will be posted on the BTR website at www.btrliverpool.com