Awards

The most prestigious award each year goes to the most successful male and female runners from the club.

The Striders give awards to honor the top masters runners (40 or older) in the club.

In 1997, the Striders added the Grand Master award category to honor those runners 50 and older. No one has won the award more than Hall of Fame member Mick Slonaker, who has won a total of eight times since 2000.

The Striders added the Senior Grand Master category in 2016. Mick Slonaker was the inaugural recipient.

The Striders could only exist with its spectacular volunteer force. They honor the most dedicated volunteers with an award at the end of the year.

The Striders have always supported youth running in Howard County through the Junior Striders program. The Junior Runner of the Year award is given to the top Striders member in the Junior Striders program or in a high school running program.

Many runners work extremely hard to lower their race times. The Striders give the Most Improved Runner of the Year award to those who have lowered their PR’s by a significant amount throughout the year.

Although some members of the club have been around for decades, the Striders always welcome new member! The New Runner of the Year award goes to an exceptional runner who has joined the club in the past year.

The Ultra Runner of the Year award goes to the exceptional ultra marathoners in the club, those who have completed races longer than a marathon.

The Striders provide a variety of training groups to their members, and those training groups could not exist without the help of the volunteer coaches! The most hard working and dedicated coaches are honored with the Coach of the Year Award.

In 2011, a new category of coaching awards was added. The Junior Striders Coach of the Year goes to the best volunteer coaches in the Junior Striders program.

The Striders Hall of Fame honors the runners and volunteers who have given the most to the club. If there are any worthy inductees., they are announced at the awards banquet.