Highlights from the British Triathlon Awards 2011

The fastest couple in triathlon were honoured at the British Triathlon Annual Awards 2011 on Saturday 12 November 2011 when they were named elite long-distance triathletes of the year. Four-time Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington said afterwards: "It's a huge honour as always to be recognised by British Triathlon and by your peers and it's great to be part of such a fantastic occasion that's celebrating all the triumphs of British athletes this year." Her boyfriend Tom Lowe had a great year, winning the 70.3 Steelhead Ironman, finishing fourth in Ironman Austria and eleventh at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. 

In an evening aimed at celebrating Britain at its best, Rhian Roxburgh and Colin Dixon were honoured fordelivering golden seasons in their GE Great Britain Age Group Team kit and were recognised as British Triathlon Age Group Triathletes of the Year at the Annual Awards.

Roxburgh, who competed in the 35 to 39 age-group successfully won gold in the ETU Triathlon European Championships in Pontevedra, said: "I am overwhelmed. I was really pleased to just be nominated, so to win it is fantastic."

Dixon makes it a second successive British Triathlon Male Age-Group Triathlete of the Year award. This season he successfully retained his standard distance world title in the 40-44 category and added a silver in the age group races of the ITU Aquathlon World Championships whilst competing in Beijing.

City of Chester Triathlon Club won the British Triathlon Club of the Year award. The club was formed in 1994 and over the last 17 years has promoted the sport to athletes at all levels and abilities, driving membership to over 500 members. It caters to all ages and provides a diverse events programme, which includes the 2009 British Triathlon Event of the Year the Deva Diva Triathlon.

A representative from the club reacted to winning the award, saying: "It's great! It's the culmination of a club that has been going for quite a long time now, it's a club that is run for the members, by the members, and it's a great privilege to be a part of that club. It's an expanding club, we have over 500 in it now and this really is great for us."

The Outlaw Triathlon won the British Triathlon Event of the Year award after delivering a long-distance triathlon that focused on providing a high quality, friendly and well-priced event in the well-known multisport hotbed of Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham.

The event has created a unique identity for itself within the triathlon community, which will no doubt go from strength to strength over the coming years.

Coaches, Volunteers and Officials were recognised by the Leigh Day & Co Workforce Awards at the Annual Awards Dinner. Jonathan Davies, who was named Official of the Year, is a key member of triathlon club Born2tri having been one of its founder members and most enthusiastic volunteers. When asked how he felt when receiving his award he commented: "It's an honour, absolute privilege and I am totally amazed to win, I didn't even know I had been nominated. I have been a triathlete for 20 years and I just like putting something back into the sport and seeing people enjoy it."

The British Triathlon Volunteer of the Year award went to Laura Addis. Laura joined Windrush Triathlon Club in 2010, and has since taken on the role of Chairperson enabling the club to overcome financial challenges, thanks to her ideas and energy.

The British Triathlon Young Volunteer of the Year award went to Joe Kidson.  Joe has been actively supporting Crystal Palace Triathletes Club, assisting with junior sessions, officiating at events and supporting the club committee.

The British Triathlon Participation Coach of the Year award went to Helen MacVicker from West Yorkshire who commented: "I am passionate about the sport, and for me the real passion in coaching is seeing youngsters develop. I coach the youth section of Leeds and Bradford Triathlon Club and seeing those youngsters not only as athletes, but as young individuals as well is just so motivating and keeps me coming back every Saturday."

The British Triathlon Performance Development Coach of the Year award went to Steve Lloyd. Steve is a Level 3 Performance coach and has established the Absolute Triathlon Club in Nottingham, hosting regular coaching sessions and regularly supporting his fellow coaches to develop their skills and abilities.

The British Triathlon Young Coach of the Year award went to Dechlan Wilson of Edinburgh University Triathlon Club. Declan said after winning the award: "It's quite amazing. It's a big night so I was quite happy to come down. To get nominated is quite an honour anyway, never mind to win it."

Donnah Thompson won the British Triathlon Children's Coach of the Year. Donnah has worked with the junior section of Lincoln Triathlon Club for the last three years. She has delivered coaching sessions that not only provide juniors with the relevant skills, but also delivers sessions, which are fun and engaging for those that take part.  

Helen Jenkins celebrated winning the GE British Triathlon Female Elite Triathlete of the Year award, following a season which has seen her win the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship London presented by Tata Steel and finish second in Beijing, Kitzbuhel and Madrid. Helen was also a member of the 'Dreamteam' in Lausanne that saw the GE Great Britain Triathlon Team win gold in the ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne. Upon receiving the award, Helen commented: "I think it's the third year in a row and it's so nice that people keep voting for me." She added: "It's great to be in a sport that is growing so much. It's an honour to be in such an amazing team, there are so many people doing well at the moment, it's amazing to be part of the sport at this time."

Jane Egan was named Tata Steel British Triathlon Female  Paratriathlete of the Year at the Annual Awards Dinner. The Scottish triathlete celebrated winning the award for the second successive year, capping a memorable season that has seen her retain both her TRI 1 European and World titles won in 2010. Egan also secured the gold medal in the elite paratriathlon at the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship London presented by Tata Steel.

Egan was delighted to win the award, saying: "I am absolutely shocked, I really didn't expect this to happen, I was so surprised that I won again this year. I am honoured that people think I have done something worth nominating, let alone winning, it's really fabulous."

Lucy Hall was named British Triathlon Female Junior Elite Triathlete of the Year.

Katie Hewison was named GE British Triathlon Female Elite Duathlete of the Year.

On an evening aimed at celebrating Britain at its best, Alistair Brownlee was awarded the GE British Triathlon Male Elite Triathlete of the Year for the fourth successive year. Brownlee won the Madrid, Kitzbuhel, London and Beijing legs of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series and, like Jenkins, was a member of the GE Great Britain Triathlon Team who won gold in the ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships.

When asked about the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games he said: "I believe I can be there, and that gives me the best possible chance to win that medal on that day."

Steven Judge was named Tata Steel British Triathlon Male Paratriathlete of the Year at the Annual Awards. The 38-year-old from Sheffield won the award for the second year in succession, completing an outstanding season. Judge competes in the TRI 3 category and has won every honour for which he has competed, both at international and domestic level this year. He won the European and World titles as well as the gold medal at the elite paratriathlon at the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship London presented by Tata Steel in August.

Judge added: "It's amazing once again. It's the icing on the cake as it's been a tough season as usual, but with four golds it has been brilliant - the best season so far. This is a great award, it's really good to achieve, as it's voted for by other triathletes and that means something special."

Gordon Benson was named British Triathlon Male Junior Elite Triathlete of the Year.

Mark Buckingham GE British Triathlon Male Elite Duathlete of the Year.

The final award of the evening was shared by Helen Jenkins and Alistair Brownlee, who have been recognised for their outstanding performances this season by being named joint winners of the 2011 Olympic Athlete of the Year award. The prestigious award rounds off exceptional seasons for the two athletes who both finished the year winning their second career world titles in Beijing.