Captain's Corner - March 2023

It was a very busy start to March, if I have missed anybody off the report I am sorry, please let me know and I can add, it's never intentional, it's just my age!

So we kick off March with Essex 20 at Debden airfield. So a great place to get in those marathon miles in before the big day (although several were doing it for the sheer fun). Some great times by the team with Rahana Islam the first Dagger home in 2:42:58 earning her a Essex age category bronze, Gary Cardnell was next home in a time of 3:04:40 also getting an age category bronze. Rosina Salmon came in on a time of 3:09:28 earning Rosina a Essex Silver medal in her age category. I was next home and happy to get home after my first time over this distance in 3:12:43, Michael Pegnell was next in a time of 3:22:16 (held up by a little wardrobe malfunction) and then came Timi Veerasamy getting an Essex gold for her age category in a time of 4:01:40. Supported by Sam Veerasamy and Peter Salmon on a cold day to be supporting a great effort by all, well done team.

On the same day the Chelmsford half marathon was ran, with Tracey Sheehy completing the Chelmsford half in a time of 1:47:17 and Grace Kelly in 2:32:00.

Andrew Wright ran a marathon on the Friday before, still closing in on the magical 100 number 92 the “Fun bus Friday Marathon” was achieved in a time of 4:21:52.

We move on to the following weekend and the final race in this year's Chingford League and Club Winter Championships.

Saturday saw the finale in Chingford League with the team relays. With a nice Chingford mug collected by Daniel Miller, Michael Pegnall and myself for completing all this seasons fixtures. A nice "drier" Wanstead flats the teams took to the 2 mile course with times from the team Rahana Islam 15:08, Billy Walkington 16:01, Daniel Miller 16:06, John Hughes 16:40, Manji Gami 17:35, after already completing a 10k event Michael Pegnell posted a time of 18:42, Costas Kostrofis 18:55 and Timi Veerasamy 21:14 completing the team.

Then on Sunday saw a large contingent of Daggers head to Brentwood for which was probably the best day we have had around that time for weather. So we start at the top of the field with the first Male and first Dagger home Nigel Swinburne in a time of 1:27:00 and that is a fantastic time for the Birthday boy. Next home and first Dagenham female was Tracey Sheehy in a PB of 1:43:16 followed closely by Rahana Islam who was running under strict physio orders but still ran quickly anyway! In a time of 1:44:38. Good to see Tony Woodgate back in Red and White and he came in next with a time of 1:51:05 followed by Carol Adams knocking twelve minutes of her PB in a time of 1:53:10 although Carole did leave her running mate to chase the PB (haha). Next in was Gary Cardnell in a time of 1:54:54 which would have been quicker but over the last couple of weeks I might give Gary a new nickname of Pitstop! I then PB'D in 1:57:16, with Emma Dudman in 2:01:42 and Rosina Salmon on 2:02:21. With Michael Pegnall completing his third race of the weekend next in on 2:05:44, Lynton Fairman next on 2:11:36 and Simon Childs on 2:19:26. Timi Veerasamy was the next lady home in 2:27:40 with Jacqui Elliot following in Timi in 2:41:30 and Julie Cardnell on 2:49:18. Kresh Veerasamy on 2:52:15 and Sam Veerasamy completing the Dagenham 88 field on 3:36:13. A nice Sunday afternoon celebratory drink was had by a few of the team.

Andrew Wright ran Marathon number 93 The Red Rum Run in a time of 4:35:18.

On a quieter weekend Rahana Islam carried on with a five miler at Victoria Park and finished in a time of 37:54.

On Sunday the 19th the Hadleigh legacy 10k was run (anything with Hadleigh in its title is going to be tough) Jacqui Elliot and Denise Woolston completing the course in 1:30.

Jason Manning completed 10 Miles of twin lakes in a time of 1:46.

With the final weekend of action starting at the Orion 15. Rahana Islam and Gary Cardnell took on the 15 miles of a gruelling cross country course with Rahana Islam finishing in a PB time of 2:23:25. Gary Cardnell unfortunately suffered an early injury and decided to call it a day half way round.

So that is the end of March and we look forward to Spring and the start of club championships with St Clare's Hospice 10k on Sunday.

Finally I want to wish those that travel to Paris and Ibiza this weekend for their marathons all the best of luck.

They say that every journey starts with a first step and your journey started several months ago with that step, it's now time to reap the reward. I hope you all enjoy your time away and the marathon itself, run with a smile on your face and picture that finish line and that medal around your neck when drinking those celebratory drinks. If it gets hard imagine all your 88 team mates encouraging you to find that inner strength that you all have, we will be with you so bring that bling home, but most importantly take care of yourselves and stay healthy and the rest will come. Good luck 88's.

I've not forgotten you London marathons that will come later in the month.