Prestigious award to Striders' chairman

JON HOUZET

KOWIE Striders' chairman Dylan Murray was named sportsperson of the year by the Port Alfred Country Club at its AGM last week.

ACHIEVEMENTS RECOGNISED: Port Alfred Country Club chairman James Fox (left) presents the sportsperson of the year trophy to Kowie Striders' chairman Dylan Murray Picture: JON HOUZET

Murray was nominated by the Striders for the prestigious annual award, for which each of the member organisations of the country club are eligible, including the cricket, hockey, pigeon racing and Kowie Striders clubs.

Murray previously won the Kowie Striders member of the year award for 2011.

According to the letter of nomination by the Kowie Striders, Murray is a sportsman of renown in Port Alfred and has taken part as a Kowie Strider in running, cycling and triathlon and other multi-sports events over the past 10 years.

Apart from numerous smaller events, some of his major running accomplishments include the Two Oceans Marathon, Comrades Marathon, Baffer 107 Trail Run, Baviaans Trail Run, Buffs, Herald, Aspen and Friendly City Marathons.

Murray has also completed three Half-Ironman events and one full Ironman, cycled the Trans-Baviaans Mountain Bike Race and completed the team event of the Double Century Cycle.

Last year Murray also completed the brutal Merrell Eden Duo 24 hour adventure race.

He has been a loyal member of the Kowie Striders and country club for five years and has served on the Kowie Striders' committee for four years.

"He is exceedingly reliable, always willing to go the extra mile and has excellent organisational abilities as demonstrated by his management of a successful Boxing Day fun run,” the Kowie Striders' nomination letter stated.

Stephen Slade of the Fish Eagles Hockey Club was the runner-up for sportsperson of the year.

At the AGM the following office bearers were elected for 2012-2013: president – James Fox, vice-president – Sylvia Murdoch, secretary – Marinda Geldenhuys, treasurer – Henry Geldenhuys.