Karen makes long trip north to run for a worthwhile cause Monday, June 29, 2009 Karen Hurrell went up to Leeds this weekend for the third running (and her second) of the Jane Tomlinson Run for All 10k. Even though the race started at 9am it was sunny and very warm as the runners all packed into the start area on The Headrow. Unfortunately even though it clouded over a few times during the race itself it stayed very, very warm. Karen had almost forgotten what it's like to race in more pleasant conditions!! As with most 'big city' races, especially those with a heavy fundraising bias, there's the usual problem of having to wend your way through the throngs before settling into a decent pace. The course itself isn't the most scenic in the world but what it lacks in scenery it makes up for in crowd support - especially over the last couple of kilometres where you're coming back through streets that are rapidly filling up with shoppers! Karen was sure that by Yorkshire standards the course is pretty flat but coming from pancake-flat Rainham she'd definitely call it undulating (at least)!! What with the heat, her lack of running 'mojo' in recent months and the fact that she has been concentrating on longer races of late, Kas wasn't expecting to be all that fast. In the end she finished in 56.19 - some six minutes outside her pb. Karen was 115th (out of 1189) in her age category and 2323 (out of 7468) overall (stats/times are chip not gun). Oh and not forgetting the not so small 'victory' of beating Eastender's John Altman (aka 'Nasty Nick') home!! All in all an enjoyable run at an event that's a great tribute to a truly remarkable lady. Karen is now definitely looking forward to the inaugural running of the York Run for All on 2 August - whilst firmly pushing to the back of her mind the fact that she's got her first double marathon before then! Rob and Tracey travel south Monday, June 29, 2009 Two members of DAGENHAM 88 RUNNERS travelled to Kent last Sunday to compete in the Weald of Kent 10 mile road race. The race over a fast 1 lap course was held in good conditions, overcast, a light breeze but slightly humid, was won by Simon Hesketh of Larkfield AC. Rob Sargent ran a solid race showing an improvement in form finishing 40th in 69 mins 30 secs, 6th in the M50 category. Meanwhile teammate Tracy George found the going a little tougher recording 1hr 43mins 58secs for 247th place out of the 300+ entrants.   Goodbye and Hello Monday, June 29, 2009 Hi All Just a reminder that tomorrow night sees our last training session at Dagenham Rugby Club. It is also our last Cheese and Wine evening so don't forget to bring your contribution along. Tony will be collecting your new May and Baker membership cards this evening and will be handing them out tomorrow night. If you are unable to make it tomorrow night please let me know and I'll liaise with Tony to get your cards to you. Hope to see as many of you as possible as we the club takes another step forward Rob makes it 2 in 2 days Monday, June 29, 2009 Rob Sargent followed up his Sunday 10 with a 5000m track race the next night. Running as a guest in the SCVAC League match at Copthall Stadium, Hendon he finished 16th in a large field of runners in the M35-M60+ age groups in 20mins 17.6 secs, a time he was satisfied with.   Details of the next bike ride - 12th July 2009 Monday, June 22, 2009 Bike Ride Sunday 12th July. Meet May&Bakers Club 8.45am We will be leaving the club at 9.00am and taking a leisurely cycle to Woolwich. After crossing on the ferry we cycle the last section of the Thames Path down river to the QE2 Bridge. We cross the river and cycle through Purfleet where we join the Thames tow-path to Rainham. From Rainham back to the club by way of Beam Reach. The trip is approximately 30 miles cycling most of which will be on paths, and we expect to arrive back at the club in the afternoon between 3 and 4. It might be advisable to take a picnic lunch and plenty to drink this time,as we are going to be out longer than usual. The Dartford cycle carriage is a free service but they require numbers in advance, so could you let Alan or Bob know by the end of the month if you want to go. Bill and Bob swelter in tough Kent test Monday, June 22, 2009 It was a warm sunny morning as two intrepid D88's set off for what was to be a challenging, hot and hilly 30k trot round the scenic North Downs in Kent. The race organisation was excellent, clearly marked and marshalled route, jelly babies at every water station, the marshalls and supporters were friendly and encouraging. With a party atmosphere at the end of the race it all contributed to what was an event that I would encourage more D88's to consider for next year.... The winner was the only person to finish in under 2 hours (1.57.01) the last recorded finisher (428th) taking 4.31, Bill Smith finished in 262nd place in 3.19.59 and Bob Rant in 366th place in 3.44.44 both respectable times considering the heat and the hills, with a good warm shower and the option of a free family swim ticket to Cascades, barbeque and beer post race, what more could any-one ask for..... apart from a faster time, but then again there's always next year!   Bravehearts survive Edinburgh heat Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Four Daggers runners made the long trip up to Edinburgh to brave the heat for the Albert Bartlett Edinburgh Marathon. A scorching day was made worse by a lack of shade and a water shortage as a result of the theft of 6,804 bottles of water (3 Pallets) and 4,040 Lucozade Energy gels from around the course early on Sunday morning. Despite the best attempts of the race officials to get supplies to the affected water stations runners were left hot and thirsty and not knowing whether they would get a drink at the next water station. Local residents chipped in by hosing down runners and filling up their drink bottles to help the them on their way. Despite the problems it was an enjoyable day was had by all. We all chilled out in the evening and had a well earned drink at the Fetch After Party along with Steve Ray who came up to lend his support and do a bit of snow boarding. Roy Bentley 3:22:25 Bill Smith 4:29:26 Joanna Riley 4:39:57 Karen Hurrell 5:46:00 European Veterans Road Running Championship Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Rob Sargent of Dagenham 88 Runners recently travelled to Aarhus in Denmark to take part in the European Veterans Road Racing Championships where he contested 2 events, 10km and half marathon. The first event was the 10km which took place on a testing 4 lap course outside Aarhus Football stadium on a warm sunny afternoon. Rob ran an event place event and gained a some places during the race to finish 21st in his new M55 age category in 42min 40 secs. The half marathon was held on Sunday afternoon from the Viby area of the city and ran around the Brabrand Lake. The course was in the hot sun with temperatures heading towards 30C and Rob, who was still feeling the effects of the 10km, started well but found the going tough in the last 5 miles finishing, once again, 21st in his age category in a disappointing 1 hr 37 min 56 secs.   Daggers on the move Sunday, May 31, 2009 As most of you will no doubt be aware out tenure at the Dagenham Rugby Club has been terminated. Over the past few months the committee have been searching for a new home for the club. After much deliberation and further to meetings with new prospective venue management, it has been agreed that the club will move to May & Bakers Club Dagenham Road Romford RM7 1QX. This will enable the club to continue training within the reaches of the Chase and Eastbrookend Park and on our current training nights of Tuesdays and Thursdays. It had originally been pencilled in for September but with the recent addition of another rugby team at DRC which has disrupted our training nights the date has been moved forward to the 1st of July. With this in mind a membership induction meeting has been arranged for Tuesday the 16th of June @ 7.30pm. There will be no training session on this evening. Instead members will need to meet at May & Bakers whereby a tour of the premises will be given, any questions will be answered and then membership applications (with payment) will need to be completed. If you need any further information please contact one of the committee members The London BUPA 10K sees close finish for Dag 88's Sunday, May 31, 2009 A VERY well organised event, 12500 runners starting off in waves, to minimise congestion (although there was a number of people walking within first 2 k) once past them it was a good mainly flat course, through Westminster and the narrow twisting streets of the City of London, there was fantastic crowd support, cheerleaders, drummers and steel bands lining the route. It was a overcast, muggy day, with a light sprinkle of rain, almost perfect racing conditions. Britains Mo Farrah won the race. and despite Bill and Steve using different race strategies they ended up turning into Admiralty Arch together, Steve sprinted off at 400m to go but slowed allowing Bill to speed up at 200m to finish 3 seconds behind him at the finish, although with the technology of the start- finish chip time Bill ended up finishing in 1417th position with a time of 49.36 and Steve in 1429th with 49.40, another close race for the training partners!! who then disappeared off to a Leicester Square pub together to rehydrate and meet up with some fellow "Fetch" runners and supporters.   Karen and Tracey Conquer Halstead despite Scorching conditions Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Tracey George and Karen Hurrell did the local Halstead Marathon last week. Karen had previously ran the course and could only remember the hills were not that bad but couldn't remember much of last year’s race as it was so hot. Both Tracey and Karen were accompanied by their friend Ruth, who was doing her 99th marathon. So the 3 ladies and some other running friends set off together. It started nicely downhill and then when straight back up hill. Bernard (Tracey's personal support team) was at the crossroad in the race that we passed 4 times, so Tracey had her own personal drinks station. At about 4 miles Karen pushed on and sped into the distance and Tracey never saw her again until the finish. With the conditions that can only be described as baking Tracey suffered from the heat in this race just like she did at the London marathon. However both ladies recorded excellent times in the circumstances. Karen came home in 418th position out of the 463 finishers in a time of 4.59.22. Tracey finished in 5:23:57 and 447th place.