Elaine and Ella scoop major athletics awards

One of the top accolades of the night, the Services to Athletics award, was won by Elaine Larkins the Chairman of Peterborough Nene Valley.

And Arthur Mellows Village College pupil Ella Robinson was winner of the young volunteer of the year award.

Larkins was originally a promising young 400m runner and has been involved in the sport for over 50 years. She has spent much of this time carrying out multiple roles on the regional athletics scene.

The accomplished volunteer has combined this with helping to ensure the smooth running of Peterborough AC and latterly Peterborough and Nene Valley AC.

Larkins was hugely influential in the successful merger of the two city clubs.

After receiving the award from the comfort of her living room, she explained her ethos for the efficient running of a club saying “Never ever think it’s your club. Clubs are about members and you just happen to sit at the top of the tree.

“You might make major decisions, but it’s all from what members want. Listen to your membership, you work for them. It’s their club and you are just happy to be heading it up .

“I’ve always wanted to get the most from local athletics and I knew we could be fantastic at national level if the two city clubs merged, so I was delighted when it happened.

“We as a club are really grateful to the council who agreed the city needs facilities like we have for youngsters – and adults – to use in what are really tough times.

“I couldn’t have done it without such a great team who have been happy to man the gate in rain or snow and to make the track Covid-compliant. Coaches and parents have also been great in making sure we continue to be a success!”

Larkins is the proud owner of a national 4 x 100m relay gold medal and coached PAC’s Sarah Smith to a national 400m gold.

Robinson is a Huntingdon AC athlete and the reigning Cambridgeshire Under 17s 800m County Champion.

She spent the lockdown period helping and inspiring younger athletes in her training group.

Robinson organised online quizzes and devoted a large amount of time to maintaining her groups’ motivation and keeping their spirits up.

Since lockdown, as an assistant coach herself, Robinson has regularly travelled to Huntingdon to train the young athletes.

Robinson’s coach Denise Korkmaz payed tribute to the 17 year old saying: “Ella competes to a high standard and has represented Cambridgeshire as well as qualifying for the England Schools Championships.

“She gives up so much of her time to help other people and has a huge future in athletics both as a competitor and as a career. “

Yaxley Runners coaches Adrian Flintoft, Duncan Jackson and Tracy Farrow took runners-up spot in the ‘Athletics and Running at Home’ category for their efforts in keeping their club runners motivated throughout a difficult year.

The evening was consummately co-hosted by Werrington Joggers Chairman Tim Cook who also received recognition on the night.

In addition to his work with Werrington, Cook sits on the England Athletics Eastern Council, and was heavily involved in setting up the Greater Peterborough Athletics Council (GPAN.).

GPAN has put on various sessions of instruction and training for club members over the years.

This devotion to his sport was rewarded with the runner-up award in the ‘Services to Athletics Category’ behind Elaine Larkins.