A DESIRE for competition and the will to get the best out of herself has helped Beverley Wilson clinch the 2013 North East Lincolnshire Sports Personality of the Year title.
Wilson was delighted and proud after being handed the award at the Beachcomber, Humberston.
The 46-year-old athlete has been in great form this year, often finishing as the top female in her age group – and regularly placing highly overall.
Wilson fits training around a busy lifestyle. She is a mother of four, a swimming teacher and a yoga instructor.
The Cleethorpes Athletics Club star said: "I am very pleased to receive this award. It is a big surprise.
"The highlight of the year for me is being able to maintain the times I have been doing, and trying to be competitive for my age.
"I try to finish in the first three ladies, as well as doing well within my own age category.
"I have been running since I was 15 and I still get the same buzz. I am always pleased when I come in the top three.
"Training-wise, I cannot do what I used to. I can't get the mileage in that I used to.
"I have to rest more now – but I also get more high-quality work in when I do train.
"It's not about going out and doing miles and miles like I probably did years ago.
"I think more about the races I am going be taking part in and taper down for them, or tweak my training to be able to run as well as I can.
"I think it is a bit more planned now.
"I particularly enjoy doing the local races. I always do the New Year's Day 10K and Croxby events."
Wilson's times not only set her apart on the regional racing scene – her age-category performances also stand up well nationally.
Her best time this year for 10km on the roads is 38 minutes 18 seconds, set at the Lincoln 10km, while for 5km her top mark in 2013 is 18.34 – very strong performances for a female Vet-45 category athlete.
Wilson thanked her coach, Colin Wright, for his ongoing help and guidance.
She will now turn her attentions to 2014, when she will aim to stay injury-free – and resume battle with her rivals from across the region.
Meanwhile, Paralympian Jamie Carter capped off a great 12 months by being named Disabled Sports Personality of the Year.
The 19-year-old from Binbrook competed at this year's IPC World Championships in Lyon – and impressed with his performances in the wheelchair sprint races.
The Cleethorpes AC member is already preparing for next year – and is targeting silverware on the international stage.
He said: "It's a great feeling and I am honoured to win this award.
"Competing at the World Championships was definitely the highlight.
"I had personal bests in every event – so it was a very successful time for me.
"Next year it is the Europeans in Swansea, and I am hoping to come back with a medal.
"Some of the lads who will be there I have raced before, but there are some new ones coming through too.
"I have rivalry from home and abroad. But if the competition was not so strong I would not be able to push myself that extra bit."
Meanwhile, Rob Bingham was named Coach of the Year.
He is the chief coach at RB Karate – and has guided his students to lots of success in 2013.
He said: "I am really pleased to pick up the award. Well done to everybody else who was nominated too. We all want the best for everybody who we coach, so we are all winners really.
"We are all about teaching, and enjoy seeing our students progress.
"I have had 11 English medal winners this year, which is a big achievement, and quite a lot of my students are in the England squad.
"One of my students, Luke Easton, became the youngest ever to compete for England at the World Championships, in Spain.
"I put the success down partly to my experience, and also the enjoyment I get out of it."
Grimsby girl Chloe Osborne has big aims for the future after picking up the Junior Disabled Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 15-year-old plays wheelchair table tennis and also takes part in athletics.
After receiving her trophy, she said: "It's a phenomenal feeling. I feel really excited and proud of myself.
"I enjoy competing and achieving goals
"In 2020 I want to make it to the Paralympics – either for table tennis or an athletics event – I enjoy many sports."
Jack Blyth won the Most Improved Sports Person award.
The 18-year-old said: "I feel honoured, especially, after looking at the other nominees and their achievements.
"I do feel I have improved a lot over this year.
"I think it is down to dedicating more time to the sport and going into each training session knowing you only get out what you put in – I put a lot into every session.
"I am doing my A Levels, so I have to balance my time well. I am always doing something.
"Hopefully I will be going to university next September. I plan to keep playing, and step up to a higher level."
Roll of Honour
Most Improved Sports Person
Winner: Jack Blyth
Other nominees: Miguel Plaatjies, Jean-Louis Plaatjies, Richard Owen
Coaches Award
Winner: Robert Bingham
Other nominees: Shirley Kay and Jenny Leggett, Lee Shakespeare, Derek Spearen
Young Person's Services to Sport
Winner: Jake Cullum
Other Nominees: Dale Moy, Ruby Tupling
Services to Sport
Winner: Tony Parrott
Other Nominees: Barry Brown, Pete Winchester
Junior Team
Winner: Grimsby Town Cricket Club Under-15s
Other Nominees: Cads Junior Swimming team, Discoveries DSV Under-11s, Cleethorpes Athletic Club's young athletes.
Junior Disabled Sports Personality
Winner: Chloe Osborne
Other Nominees: Liam Davey, Cerise Binns, Ben Spence, Hollie Crawford,
Junior Sports Personality
Winner: Jack Wilson
Other Nominees: Chloe Lingard, William Lonsdale, Miguel Plaatjies, William Seed, Colm Holness, Charlotte Hill
Senior team
Winner: Grimsby RUFC Under-19s
Other Nominees: Solar Ladies FC
Disabled Sports Personality
Winner: Jamie Carter
Other Nominees: Alistair Wilson, Dean Wingate
Sports Personality of the Year
Winner: Beverley Wilson
Other Nominees: Tony Hooper, Pete Winchester, Jean-Louis Plaatjies
Lifetime achievement
Winner: Geoff Bartholomew
