NJM Awards Classification

North Jersey Masters honors significant achievements by club members in a calendar year. Awards are handed out each year at the club banquet, usually held in January, recognizing achievement from the prior year. The final award categories and nominees are determined by special committee assigned and approved by the board of directors. North Jersey Masters typically presents annual awards to outstanding members in the following categories:

• Spirit of North Jersey Masters: Presented to a member who has shown outstanding loyalty to the club, dedicated hours of volunteerism and promotes the mission of the club.


• Lifetime Achievement: Presented to an individual who has been a member for 20 or more years and has consistently served the club through volunteerism, committee membership and significantly furthered the mission and goals of the North Jersey Masters.


• Runner of the Year: Presented to a well-rounded runner who best represents the spirit of the club by exhibiting the qualities of versatility, durability, improvement and competitiveness at any level and ability.


• Team Spirit: Presented to a member who shows their spirit by participating in NJM races, volunteers at NJM events, and cheers for teammates. This person exhibits energy and enthusiasm for all NJM events and set an example for others by getting involved in social get-togethers, workouts, and volunteering to assist at NJM functions such as the Ridgewood Run.


• Marathoner of the Year: Presented to the male and female runner who turns in the fastest marathon performance during the year, regardless of the nature of the course.


• Newcomer of the Year: Presented to a new club member, who, within the first year of membership, has shown dedication and loyalty to the club, has volunteered his/her services at club functions, works to bring in new members and generally heralds the mission of the club.


• Comeback Runner of the Year: Presented to the runner who, after experiencing a setback of severe illness or extreme injury, was able to return to competition.


• Most Improved Runner: Earned by a club member who has shown significant improvement in his/her racing times within a year’s time frame and who regularly attends workouts.


• Highest Age-Graded Runner of the Year: This award will be determined by taking the average of the runner’s top five age-graded road races for the year. It will be awarded to a male and female runner annually.


• Youth Runner of the Year: Presented to a male and female young runner competing at the high school level or younger who attends NJM workouts, competed for the club on a regular basis and exemplifies the promise of youth running and the vales of NJM. This award may or may not be awarded each year.


• Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Presented to the athlete with the most impressive performance in track & field sanctioned competition. This can be in the category of time, age-grading or overall improvement.


• Triathlete of the Year: Presented to the male and female runner who turn in the highest age-graded running race performance in a triathlon of Olympic distance or above.

There are also special categories that have been given out at the discretion of the board:

• Lifetime Membership


• Special Recognition


• Hall of Fame

Awards Eligibility

Membership
To be eligible for most awards, a runner must be a member paid in full for at least six months of the calendar year at the time of nominations.

Selection Process
For specific awards such as Marathoner or Ironman of the year or Most Improved, runners are nominated based on their best performances of the year. These rankings are compiled directly from the results posted on the website and reviewed by the Awards Committee.

If you would like to nominate a club member for an award, email their name and a brief paragraph as to why he/she should be considered for the award to Bob Roemer, no later than December 1st.

NJM Past Award Recipients