Mansfield-based Barry Holmes won the Official of the Year award at the East Midlands 2019 England Athletics Regional Volunteer Awards.

Sheila O’Keefe, 54, of Nottinghamshire AAA, won the Services to Athletics award and Mansfield Runners, which participates in the Mental Health #RunAndTalk sessions among other work, won the RunTogether Group of the Year award.

Barry, 83, of Mansfield Harriers and Athletics Club, said he was shocked and surprised to win.

He added: Officiating for local events is something I’ve done since my nephew was 11. It’s something I enjoy and have always done.”

His nomination read: “Barry is far more than just an official, some would say he is a facilitator and champion of athletics and road running in the East Midlands. This year he has failed to miss a fixture, often being the first to arrive and the last to leave.”

Sarah Bradley and Angela Purdue, of RunTogether Group Mansfield Runners, said: “What we do, we do for our runners. They are the driving force of every session we develop, every event we organise and every smile we wear as coaches when we see our runners succeed in whatever goal we helped them with.”