RUNNING club chairman Alan Wilcox is in line for a national award for his outstanding contribution to athletics.

Alan leads Northwich Running Club, and won Volunteer of the Year at the England Athletics North West Awards.

He now goes forward to the national awards in Birmingham in October.

Alan was nominated for the award by the club’s treasurer Stephanie Acton, who said everyone at the running club was ‘absolutely chuffed to bits’ for him for receiving the accolade.

In her nomination Stephanie said: “Alan is most deserving of Volunteer of the Year – he works tirelessly to promote running for absolutely everyone.

“The energy and drive he has is incredibly inspiring and special, and of great benefit to not only those of his club but anyone he has the chance to spend time with.

“I have seen over this past year the difference he has been making in people’s lives. He has brought to Northwich an inclusive and a joyful, supportive community for runners.

“He believes anyone can and should enjoy running. He really is one of a kind, and we in Northwich Running Club and the running community as a whole are very lucky to have him.”

Alan said he wanted to offer a ‘massive thank you’ to everyone at the running club.

“I’ve never won anything before, and to start with the Volunteer of the Year award for North West England Athletics is fabulous – I am so proud,” he said.

“I am proud of all of us, and it was lovely to have some club mates there with me because the award is for us all.

“I set things up, but many others are helping out, leading and supporting others all the time.”

The running club has gone from four members last February to almost 200 paid-up members now.

It has established Northwich junior parkrun, started the Northwich Festival of Running and is on its third free Couch25k group.

The England Athletics Regional and National Awards recognise outstanding contributions to athletics.

The North West awards were held at Bolton Golf Club, where Alan received a certificate and a trophy.