Having been nominated as one of the recipients for the Club Volunteer of the Year at the second England Athletics East Midlands Awards Night, Steve took the top honour beating off seven other contenders.

The awards dinner at Pride Park Stadium was attended by representatives of many of the clubs in the East Midlands area along with coaches, officials, volunteers and athletes.

Steve whose efforts within the club include the introduction of the Grand Prix, the Derwent River Relays, the administration and officiating of the Handicap Race and the raising of funds for the club.

The Olympic medalist and British European record-holder for 400 metres Iwan Thomas was the guest speaker and made the presentations.

Along with two other group winners Steve was selected to represent the East Midlands at the England Athletics Awards and Hall of Fame dinner at Solihull.

There among the many famous names of athletics Steve took the national award for Volunteer of the Year with Chesterfield Athletic Club taking Club of the year for the success of its athletes.

To have two award winners out of the same county among the 12 categories was a tremendous achievement.

For Steve and Belper Harriers to be recognised at this level is a just reward for all the hard work he has put into the club during his time as club secretary.

Cross-Country League

The second race in the Booth Decorators League saw far more runners out than in the previous race.

With 28 Harriers on the start line at Chaddesden Park, compared to the first race of only 16, the club knew they were in for a better result.

This course is usually dry apart from going through the stream but this year with the rain just before the start and in the days earlier the stream was unduly deep and fast flowing which made good entertainment for the spectators.

The course of two laps and about four and a quarter miles saw Dale Annable lead the club in, to finish in sixth place.

The emerging talent of Simon Merwood ran himself into a top ten finish in league races for the first time to finish ninth.

These two runners, along with Tom Moulder who finished sixteenth have the ability to push for the top positions.

There were other notable performances with Karl Atton and Dave Horton getting into counting positions.

While Dave Smith and Jude Humphrey both ran strong races and Len Foulk who made his debut in the cross-country can be pleased with his performance.