There was a special atmosphere in Glasgow at the weekend (29 November) as the 4J Annual Awards celebrated the volunteers and community champions who help keep the sport thriving across Scotland. The event once again highlighted the individuals and groups whose dedication ensures that running remains inclusive and inspiring all year round.

This year’s ceremony featured the 4J Studios jogscotland Annual Awards, which received more than 100 nominations across four categories. The strength and variety of entries reflected the depth of commitment within Scotland’s running communities. Winners were announced in front of an enthusiastic audience that included Guest of Honour Christine Ohuruogu, the former World and Olympic champion.

The Achiever of the Year award was presented to Anna Hulme of jogscotland Carluke. Since joining the group in 2024, Hulme has impressed fellow runners with her resilience and positivity while living with a stoma bag and the effects of necrotizing enterocolitis. She completed both the Three Islands and Loch Ness marathons this year while raising funds for POOSS, the charity she co-founded. Anna has become a central and uplifting figure at her club and is widely admired for her energy and community spirit.

The Jog Leader of the Year award went to Rosie McGrane of Killie Striders. McGrane has continued to lead and support her club despite facing immense personal challenges, including family bereavements, a brain injury and a recent breast cancer diagnosis. Her dedication to coaching, writing training plans and supporting seven different ability groups has made her an essential and inspirational presence at Killie Striders.

The Group of the Year award was presented to Southside Slowies. The group has built a reputation as an inclusive and welcoming community, offering a wide range of distances and paces. Led by Phil and Katie, members enjoy regular weekly runs as well as creative social activities such as Strava art outings and group parkrun trips.

The SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award went to Shaun Williams of Anster Allsorts. Williams joined the club’s Couch to 5K programme in 2021 during a period of severe personal difficulty and has credited the group with transforming his mental health. With the support of the Allsorts community, he progressed from his first 5K to multiple half marathons, a full marathon in Moray and, later, the London Marathon. He now volunteers to help new runners in the same programme that once supported him.

All winners and shortlisted nominees were recognised for their invaluable contributions that will ensure the sport continues to thrive across Scotland.

If you'd like to know more, visit the jogscotland website.

Image: jogscotland