You voted in your thousands and here are the results of our 2025 readers’ choice awards.
Contents
British Masters Male
🥇 Colin Spivey
🥈 Mark Symes
🥉 John Wright
British Masters Female
🥇 Sarah Roberts
🥈 Clare Elms
🥉 Ellie Stevens
Masters Awards — 2025 Readers’ Choice
British Masters Male Athlete of the Year
- Colin Spivey — Named the top masters man in the UK for 2025.
- The other top male masters contenders: Mark Symes, John Wright.
British Masters Female Athlete of the Year
- Sarah Roberts — Voted the top masters female athlete for 2025.
- Other leading masters women: Clare Elms, Ellie Stevens.
Why These Wins Matter
- The masters categories showcase phenomenal performances by athletes who continue to compete — and excel — well beyond the “elite prime.”
- It’s a powerful reminder: age doesn’t have to be a barrier. These athletes demonstrate strength, endurance and dedication.
- Recognising masters performers helps celebrate the entire spectrum of athletic endeavour — not just elite youth or professional careers — and honours lifelong commitment to sport.
Final Thought
Congratulations to Colin Spivey and Sarah Roberts — and to all the masters nominees — for inspiring us with grit, passion and excellence. Their achievements underscore that athletics isn’t just for the young: it’s a lifetime pursuit.
👟 Colin Spivey (Masters Male Athlete of the Year)
- At the age of 91, Colin Spivey — in the M90 age group — made his 400 m debut at the 2025 European Masters Athletics Championships in Madeira and won it in 1:46.77.
- At the same championships, he set a UK M90 record in the 800 m with a time of 4:17.60, lowering the previous best by ~16 seconds and winning by a margin of 20 seconds.
- His 2025 season also included wins and British records over 400 m and 1500 m — as well as a strong 5000 m performance under difficult heat conditions.
- Behind the numbers: Spivey has logged nearly 500 parkruns at one local UK event, showing not just elite masters form but extraordinary dedication over decades.
Sarah Roberts (Masters Female Athlete of the Year)
- Roberts (W75) smashed the world record for the 1500 m in her age group — clocking 5:58.15 on 23 February 2025.
- Throughout 2025 she accumulated multiple British and world titles — dominating middle- and long-distance events (800 m, 1500 m and beyond). According to AW, she won five individual golds and three team/relay golds this year.
- Her performances contributed to a wider wave of British masters success: in 2025, British masters athletes won 132 European master golds across a broad range of age-groups from over-35s up to over-90s.
