Derek Howarth

Derek is an 80 year old athlete whose committment to local athletics is fantastic. He has been associated with Leigh Harriers Athletics club for over 50 years in various roles and is still club treasurer. Derek was instrumental in masterminding the move of the club from its home of over 100 years to its new ground at Leigh Sports Village a few years ago and he now spends at least some of his day at the track organising, tending to matters and generally just keeping the place in check. He is still a serious runner and in July will attend the World Vets Championships in Sacramento, USA where he expects to do well (having just qualified into a new age bracket due to his 80th birthday last August). Derek has coached and mentored children and young people all his life and still coaches the runners today. He was a school teacher before retirement and is a father of 6 children, grandfather to 13 and great grandfather to (nearly) 2, with the birth of the latest due any day. Not only would it thrill Derek to be honoured with this responsibility but it would be just reward for a lifetime committed to sport in the community. The small town of Leigh and all associated with Leigh Harriers would second this sentiment.I ran in Sacramento and won a silver medal in the cross country and a gold for the team event. I finished 5th in the 5000 metres and 6th in the 10000 metres.