Jack Warters is the latest recipient of Shildon’s Mayor’s Award.
“I have watched Jack over several months during my volunteering at Hackworth parkrun,” said Mayor Quinn. “I have also known Jack all his life and members of his family, socially.
“Jack is an inspiration to runners of all ages, always polite, helpful, and encouraging, particularly the encouragement that he gives to the younger runners of all abilities.”
From an early age Jack has had a real love for sport. It started when he played football in primary school and joined the school football team at Timothy Hackworth School. He then progressed to playing in a Saturday morning League in Hackworth Park.
This changed once Jack went to Secondary School where he discovered the joy of cross-country running and found he had a natural talent.
He represented the school in competitions around the local area and two years later decided to join Shildon Running Club, where he eagerly learned and built up his stamina and knowledge.
Eighteen months later, on 7th September 2019 he joined parkrun, notching a finishing time of 24.08 for the 5k event.
This pushed him to better himself and worked on a sub-20 minute finish.
Hackworth parkrun features running the course three times before a sprint finish along Surtees Avenue.
Parkrun firstly came to Shildon through the work of former county councillor, Brian Stephens and the Health Express program he introduced.
Jack continues to develop and improve as an athlete. Some of his most memorable times over the past few years have been breaking age category records on five separate occasions at 12 different parkruns. He also achieved a top 10 finish at Carlisle 10k in 2022 with a time of 38.47.
With all these great achievements, Jack wants to inspire the next generation of young runners as well as older runners from Shildon.
He is an advocate to all and wants everyone to experience the mental and physical advantages of health and wellbeing.
Parkruns take place around the country and are managed by a director and team of volunteers. There is something for everyone, whether you are a keen athlete, weekend runner, someone who wants to improve health and wellbeing or who has the time to volunteer in the many roles available.
Hackworth parkrun starts at 9am every Saturday morning.
Mayor Quinn said: “I wish Jack every success for the future. He is a true inspiration. Well done Jack.”
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
