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Doug Adams (62) Race Organiser
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I got involved in running in 1989 my first event was a half marathon walk around the serpentine in Hyde Park on behalf of The PHAB Club of which my son was a member of.
I then did the Harlow Marathon which my brother Bill got me involved in.
I joined the Club in 1990
I did the London Marathon in my first year of joining in under 4 hours I have since then done the London Marathon every year but 2.
I love running Ultra distances. I did the South Downs 80 Mile in 18 hours 18 minutes and 18 seconds.
I am the Tough Guy Champion for the Club of which I did 8 years in a row I hope to do it again one day.
I have run Track I held the Club Record in the Javelin I have competed in nearly all track events.
I am Team Captain for the Cross Country Squad. I am also the Club Coach and Race Organiser (which my wife and daughters do most of the organising)
I love the social side of the Club I think it is the best Club in the country.
We might not be the greatest of runners but we are super drinkers.
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Gender
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M
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Bill Adams (61) Club Treasurer
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I only started running when I was 37, as a means of keeping fit, after I stopped playing Football and joined the club in 1988 at the Dagenham Town Show. My first long distance run was the Havering Half Marathon which I completed in 1hr 35mins. Since then I have done many other distances up to the Marathon which my best time is 3hrs 1min and at my age I don't see myself beating it (but never say never).
My brother Doug joined the club soon afterwards and we have run many events and distances together and we continue to do so until our bodies say otherwise which hopefully will be a long time away yet.
I enjoy my running but also like the social side of the club with its other members who are a great bunch of people. My interests include Caravanning, DIY, Gardening and Spurs, although I don't get to see them often. I hate rap music amongst other things but lets not go down that road.
Anyone who wishes to join a club for keep fit, running or walking purposes plus a good social side then they will not find a better one than ours. Try us and see what you think!
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Gender
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M
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Jenny Akroyd (30) Club Secretary
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I started running in 2007, inspired by watching the Great North Run on TV. I quickly got the running bug and in 2009 finally decided to join Dagenham 88s after bumping into some of their runners in a pub after a local race. It seemed like my kind of running club!
Since joining I haven't looked back. My race times over all distances have got faster and I am now achieving times that until recently I could only dream of. I really enjoy racing as part of a club and a member of a team. I compete in the club championships, the Elvis series and cross country leagues.
I also take part in triathlons and am hoping to complete an Ironman race in the not too distant future.
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Gender
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F
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Tony Bradley (65) Vice Chairman
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I have been involved in track & field athletics since the age of 16. I won the Southern County Youth Champs for Long Jump and the Middlesex junior Champs twice. As a senior I progressed to 400m hurdles and Decathlon.
When we lived in South Africa I was training for a canoe marathon, this involved canoeing and running with the canoe around rapids. As I was always falling out of the canoe I gave up that idea but stuck with the running. My fist major race was the Johannesburg marathon which I finished in 3hrs 50min. Since then I have completed the Comrades Marathon (56 miles) 11 times. My best being 8hrs 54min.
Now we are in UK I have been with Dagenham 88 for 5 years, and have competed in the London Marathon 3 times and various league and championship races. I compete in the Cross Country league each year and still represent the club in the Southern County League for Track & Field. I have also started competing in the Masters Track & Field events. I am also a Grade 3 Field Judge (County Standard)
I hope to continue with my athletics for as long as my body will allow
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Gender
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M
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John Dyer (63) Membership Secretary
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Joined Dagenham 88 in 1990, the reason, getting middle aged and unfit.
Always watched the London Marathon on TV and thought could I do that! Well I did my first marathon in 91 (Harlow) and first London in 92 and still doing them along with other distances.
Favourite races are Beachy Head and The Grizley, being good races and social events as well
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Gender
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M
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Linda Fordham (59) Social Secretary
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I was one of the founder members of the club when we started it up twenty years ago. The club has evolved to where it is now, with a great mixture of walkers and runners, but always having fun - all down to the people that form the club - and now I'm in charge of organising our social events!
I love walking - a few of us are members of the Long Distance Walking Association. Recently we completed the West Highland Way (95 miles), and this June we venture over to Madeira for an international festival of walking.
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Gender
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F
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Mike Linstead (48) Assistant Secretary & Website Co-ordinator
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I started running with Dagenham 88 runners back in 1997 after being inspired like so many others by going to watch the London Marathon. 14 marathons later, 9 of which were the London, I am enjoying the new challenges of taking part in the track and field events and the cross country league. I have been the Captain of the Men's track team for 3 years now. I enjoy the family type atmosphere of the club and personally am looking to take some coaching courses to further enrich my knowledge and experience of the sport and help other members of the club to progress. I am also a Grade 3 Field Judge (County standard)
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Gender
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M
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Address
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53 Amersham Road
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Harold Hill
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Romford
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Essex
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RM3 9HX
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UK
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Phone 1
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01708 375773
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Email
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mikelinstead@yahoo.co.uk
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Rob Sargent (56) Press Officer
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I started running in 1980 and since then have competed in 985 races (as at time of writing) including 47 marathons in 25 countries. Despite being well into the veteran class I still look forward to turning out for the club and and being competitive in masters championships at local, regional, British, European and World level.
I am also a level 2 UKA coach and enjoy helping runners to improve their performances.
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Gender
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M
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Bill Smith (46) Club Chairman
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Ex nineteen stone prop forward, took up running in July 2008. First night struggled to get round 4ish miles, but due to the friendly and supportive nature of the people at the club, I returned the next week for some more "punishment", before I knew it there was a club 5 mileish race and people said "you can do this" I did (slowly) almost two years and over 60 races later, at distances from 1 mile (track) to 45 miles off road, planning even greater distances, having lost more than 4 stone, I am now chasing PB's and looking forward to new challenges (not least being elected Chairman) have also started cycling and more recently swimming, with the intention of trying a Tri. None of this would have been possible if not for the inspiration and support of my clubmates, it is fair to say, I enjoy running and the banter at the club makes me smile, now looking forward to my future as a runner and hopefully inspire others to drag themselves off the sofa and into a pair of running shoes - Only one who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. T.S.Eliot
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Gender
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M
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