North East Volunteer Awards evening 2023

Services to Athletics and Running

Winner: Graham  Hall (New Marske Harriers Club)

This volunteer is very passionate about athletics, not only at club level but has also had a massive impact on athletics across the North. He has built a really strong network of people across the region where 2-way support has helped put athletics, cross country and road running on the map. His qualities and skills range from coach, chip timekeeper, course measurer, race event director, project manager, and various roles on committees.

He has worked collaboratively with non-athletic networks to support community projects, funded by the club from its own resources and/or by donations and grants. This included leading and fundraising £50k for the  New Marske Harriers  track build project between 1992 and 2006.

He set up the Redcar parkrun in 2012, was a founding member of NEYDL in 2013, and more recently developed the Coastal Path solar powered markers mentioned earlier this evening. He is race director for New Marske Harrier road race series and leads the organisation of the events including Redcar Running Festival, organising the Great North Run’s 8.5 mile water station since the late 1990s.

Graham Hall has given many years of love and passion for the sport and deserves to be recognised.

When asked if he is retiring he said there was always something to do, a race to plan for. Then he can plan for retirement.

In 2026 Graham was appointed President of Northern Athletics and was able to present Gabrielle Pinder with Gold Medal for winning and defending the 2026 u15 girls Northern Cross County Championships.