In partnership with Essex AA a group of female athletes from different clubs in Essex have launched a fundraiser to commission a perpetual trophy for the women's 5000m Essex Championship.

The race is run every year alongside the men's 5000m Essex Championship. The men's race has a long history with a superb perpetual trophy, the Atlanta Trophy, which dates back to 1901. Names of all previous winners are engraved on the trophy with another name added each year which contributes to the prestige and heritage of the event giving each winner the chance to share the trophy with their club mates , hopefully inspiring some to aim to see their name on it.

We would love to start the same history and prestige for the women's race so that the winners of the women's race can also share her success and inspire others.

We have approached a woodcarver, Cassidie Alder Carving ( www.traditional-woodcarving.co.uk) who is interested in collaborating with us on this. We are asking athletes and clubs , especially those based in Essex to consider donating or organising a fundraiser to raise the funds for this to have a trophy for the winner of the women's race next year.