Matt Lambourne has ended his time at Cirencester-based club, Running Somewhere Else, in style.

The former club coach, who will be leaving the club in January following a move to Cheltenham, was crowned men’s champion for 2017.

The club’s annual Christmas party was held at the Corinium Hotel in Cirencester and recognised the club’s high-achieving members and also raised funds for the Churn Project.

Elaine Chapman won the women’s championship after another stellar year.

The Most Improved Runner was won by Amanda Tyler, who has returned from a serious injury this year to run some great races and even complete a marathon.

The winner of the Runners’ Runner, voted for by club members, was Nadine Brown. Brown was chosen by members for her inspirational and positive attitude, as well as her running achievements, which included running 10 races over 10K, several half marathons and a marathon.

Club coach Dave Whitlow made the presentations to the ladies and club captain Elaine Chapman made the presentations to the men.

The club used the event as an excuse to start unofficial fundraising for next season’s club charity, the Churn Project. The Christmas raffle raised £135 for the charity.

The next RSE event to raise funds for the charity will be the Painswick Rudolph Rampage on 17th December.

RSE chairwoman Caroline Coates said: “We all had a fantastic time at the party. It’s great to look back at the year and see what we have all achieved and celebrate some special people from within the club, who all deserved their awards.

“It seemed like a good opportunity to bring in funds for Churn and we will be looking forward to raising more at the Rudolph Rampage.

“I’d like to thank Martin Sherriff, Tracey Pitts, Nadine Brown and Elspeth Murano for their hard work and dedication organising the event, and for the Corinium Hotel for making us so welcome and producing such brilliant food.”

The Churn Project supports the most vulnerable and marginalised people of the Cirencester area. The aims are to reduce isolation and improve well-being for local people, particularly for those who are lonely, at a point of transition in their lives or experiencing mental health issues.