A BASINGSTOKE athletics coach has been honoured with an annual award.

Coach Dave Ragan of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club (BMHAC) has clinched the esteemed Coach of the Year accolade from the British Milers Club.

The coach guided athlete Ben Pattison to a bronze medal victory in the World Championships in Budapest in 2023, equalling his previous bronze feat at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Also, Pattison has recently accomplished the Olympic qualifying time in Oslo under Ragan's expert tutelage.

Ragan has also directed Reece Sharman-Newell, another athlete with Olympic aspirations, to a substantial 1.45 800m finish in 2024, and various BMC Grand Prix wins, delineating his effective coaching methods.

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Stefan O’Loughnane, coach Dave Ragan and Oskar Harvey Nash (Image: Supplied) Ragan has been recognised for his quiet efficiency in fostering a considerable number of BMHAC competitors.

The performance of the athletes under Ragan has promoted speculation about the secret of Basingstoke's athletic achievement.

Among others in the club, Ragan and his team have established a remarkable line-up of middle-distance runners.

The athletes are consistently progressing, achieving personal bests and ascending in national rankings.

Promising athletes like Imogen Edwards set a new 1500m club record of 4.36.28 at the Wimbledon Festival of Speed, placing her among the top 20 under 17 female athletes in the UK.

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Likewise, Maddie Deadman bettered her best time by six seconds placing her in the top 20 senior women's rank. Tom Syckelmoore, James Beeks and Guy Stevens have also shone under Ragan's expertise.

Additionally, at the Watford Open meeting, Daisy Allford marked a personal best, placing her among the top five nationally under 17 female athletes.

Other athletes registering personal bests are Stefan O’Loughnane, Harry Ware, Orrin Wheeler, Nick Thomas, Jack Hedderley and Pete Watkeys.

BMHAC's fortunes were further boosted by sprinter Henry Christer's announcement of his participation in the GB under 20 100m relay squad at the Mannheim International Fixture on June 22-23.

BMHAC is also proud to announce that nine of their young athletes have been selected to represent Hampshire in the under 15/ under 17 Cunliffe Cup at the Southeast Schools Inter Counties Track and Field Championships set to occur on June 15 at the Stone X Stadium in London.