THE DR. JOHN P. WILLIAMS AWARD

Presented in memory of Dr. John P. Williams to the Tely 10 participant who has inspired others through enthusiastic and spirited participation in the annual Telegram 10 Mile Road Race.

(2006) Recipient: Harry Cooze
Citation

Harry Cooze has had a lifetime of participation in athletics and especially running. Although he placed second in his first road race while attending university in 1957, his passion for the sport did not develop until much later in life.

In a career as a Phys. Ed. Teacher, initially in Bishop Falls, he coached a team which dominated track and field and cross country running for almost a decade.

In 1981, while teaching Phys. Ed. at Burin Vocational School, Harry and his wife Dora, along with Gord Brockerville, formed the Mariners Athletic Club in Marystown. As a result of this club, directly and indirectly, there have been as many as 20 people running the Tely 10 on a yearly basis.

After retiring, Harry started racing himself. However, in 1997, at the age of 61, he suffered a serious setback, which required triple bypass heart surgery. Hospitalized on the day of the Tely 10, he told his running friends, "I will see you at the start next year".

He indeed started the following year and most importantly, crossed the finish line ­ an inspiration to many who know him.

He has run the Tely 10 on several occasions and has participated in other road races. In 2005, he finished first in his 60 ­ 69 age category in a race in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Harry’s inspiration to those in the Mariners Athletic Club has reached beyond Marystown to other areas of the province. He has influenced, for example, one of his former students, Darryl Hillier from Fortune, who has run the Tely 10 on a number of occasions.

Harry’s fortitude and determination to overcome life’s challenges is a model for any aspiring or seasoned runner. He has led by example, giving endless hours promoting the sport and helping the Tely 10 achieve the numbers it has today.

Tonight we are proud to ask Mr. Harry Cooze, runner, organizer, leader, to step forward to receive the 2006 Dr. John P. Williams Award for the Tely 10.

To be eligible for this award, the candidate:

• must have participated in the Tely 10 road race at least once
• must have specifically motivated others to participate in the Tely 10, either by walking or running or as a wheelchair participant
• must by participation in the Tely 10 have inspired and motivated others to become physically active

The candidate may be someone who:

• began regular exercise at an advanced age
• overcame a serious emotional or physical challenge in life
• or began exercising while recovering from a serious or life-threatening illness

Submission deadline

• Nominations must be sent to Patricia Williams by Monday, June 10, 2024.
• Please send the nomination via email in Microsoft Word format or Portable Document Format (PDF). Please ensure that the following information is submitted along with the nomination:
  1. Nominee
     • Name
     • Address
     • City/Town
     • Province & Postal Code
     • Telephone
  2. Nominator
     • Name
     • Address
     • City/Town
     • Province & Postal Code
     • Telephone
     • E-mail
  3. Reason for the nomination
  4. Date & Signature of Nominator

Nominations

• Candidates for this award may be nominated by any Tely 10 participant or a member of the Organizing Committee.
• All nominations will be carefully considered and voted on by a Selection Committee with the winner decided by majority vote.