Captains Corner April 2022

So here we go for your next instalment of Captain’s Corner, or should now be known as Co-Captains Corner. Sorry I missed the AGM but a big welcome to all the new members on committee and a big thank you for all the time and effort the current committee have given to the club over the past twelve months, we volunteer for the roll and sometimes it doesn’t always meet with everyone’s approval but all the decisions are made in the interest of the club and the time given by the committee is amazing so thanks to you all.

On saying that my co-captain will be doing next months write up although I think Kaya dodged a bullet with the amount of racing to report this month.

So we start with a busy week of club championship races. Which saw us kick-off the first three races of the year for the seasons club championships, and if you are not aware the club championship has ten races and your best six will count to your total and you must complete 3 to be able to win an award.

So on that note, race 1 was the St Clare’s hospice 10k and on a warm day a lovely race and course to start the week.

Nigel Swinburne was the first of the eleven daggers to participate and he came home in 40:19, Daniel Miller was next on 49:32 and then came Michael Pegnall on 51:10. Kaya Smith was next and the first of the women with a 10k pb of 52:09 (this will be a common comment by the end of this report). I followed Kaya and got a time of 52:58 with Carole Adams next on 55:06 and Jenny O'Hanlon on 55:31, all three of us getting 10k pb’s. Timi Veerasamy was next home in 59:20 then Andy Beazeley on 1:01:59, Sonya Byers on 1:04:48 and Kresh Veerasamy on 1:18:29. Well done everyone. Most of that field then headed towards Stratford for another 10k and race two of the club championships where Nigel Swinburne was the first home in 40.37. Daniel Miller next on 48:59 and Michael Pegnall on 51:13, Rahana Islam was the first female 88 home on 51:55 with me behind knocking a few more seconds off with 52:27. Carole Adams was next in on 54:23 and Jason Manning next on 57:23. Timi Veerasamy came next on 1:01:45, Sonya Byers on 1:05:34. Pascalia Pamba completed her first ever 10k in 1:09:33 and Kresh Veerasamy coming in 1:19:14.

And to complete the trio of club championship races the team headed over to Pitsea on Good Friday for their Crown to Crown 5k. Nigel Swinburne brought the 88’s home for a third time in 20:50, Daniel Miller next on 23:57. Andy Preston made his debut in red and white and finished in 24:53, Costas Kotrofis next in a time of 25:49 and Gary Cardnell in 26:26. Rahana Islam was the first female 88 home in 26:49, Carole Adams on 28:04 and Jenny O’Hanlon on 28:20. Jason Manning was next on 28:52, Andy Beazeley 30:09, Sonya Byers 31:07, Timi Veerasamy 31:38 and Kresh Veerasamy 38:21. It was good to see Sam Veerasamy back in team colours and he finished in a time of 44:15. So that completes this months club championship races and race four will be the South Essex cross-country fixture at Thorndon Park on May 14th.

And speaking of South Essex cross country the red and white turned up at Hadleigh for race 3 of the season. As you all most probably know it’s usually a very though course but with the lack of mud and being informed the famous Hadleigh hill will not be at the end it seemed it was not going to as tough! How wrong we could all be, a very hilly course finishing off with around a mile incline it was a test all round of just under four miles. Nigel Swinburne came home ahead of Daniel Miller in times of 30:04 and 35:50. Costas Kotrofis 38:20 and then Rahana Islam the first female home in 39:10. Gary Cardnell in 40:10 and then I decided to pip Emma Dudman to the line in times of 42:21 and 42:26. Carole Adams came next in 43:48 and then Sonya Byers in 44:46 with Timi Veerasamy on 46:04. Pascalia tried out for her first cross-country and finished in 47:57. Kresh Veerasamy on 57:07 and Denise Woolston next on 57:40. Jacqui Elliott and Ronnie Waller finished in a time of 1:01. It was a really tough course in warm weather so a well done to everyone that got out there and done the race and the support by the team was great #teamspirit.

That is team races and fixtures done, but we have so much more to get through, and please appreciate everyone’s efforts this month, a big well done to all the 88’s and I get these from press release and I’m sorry if I’ve missed anyone, by all means post below and I will add. It’s not personal but sometimes I miss things, so let’s start at the beginning of April and three 88’s were over in Paris to participate in the Paris Marathon. Tracey Sheehy completed in 4:07:51, Rahana Islam 4:18:30 and Emma Dudman 4:42:26 congratulations to the three of you. Another Marathon added to the total for Andrew Wright this time in a time of 4:11:32 well on his way to the 100 marathon club.

On the same weekend Kaya Smith went and PB’d her half marathon time in Prague in 1:57:33. A little closer to home Jacqui Elliot and Natalie Summers ran the London landmarks half marathon and both ran a time of 3:25. Peter Salmon and Rosina Salmon was at Harwich Haalf marathon and Peter completed in 1:16:49 and Rosina in 2:02.

We stick with Peter and Rosina for the following weekend when they both ran the Kew Gardens half marathon. Peter Salmon finished in 1:27:16 and Rosina Salmon in 2:01:13.

On the South coast at Brighton marathon two 88’s finished and I know Lynton Fairman was a little disappointed but it was his first marathon and now under his belt. Lynton finished in 5:42:02 and Joe Jarman completed in 6:00. Well done guys I know you found it tough but you completed the Marathon!

Last weekend Jane Swanson-sprent completed the Boston marathon, the UK one. Well done Jane for completing it in 4:45:55. And whilst this was happening Andrew Wright completed another Marathon in a time of 4:20:21.

We now come to Bank holiday weekend and we start at Vitality 1 mile, where Pascalia Pamba and George completed in 9:14. On Monday the May Day 10 miler was held and with Kaya Smith PBing 1:31:40. Timi Veerasamy winning best for age category in 1:36:32, also another best for age category was Caroline Tuck in 1:15:46. Nils Hollmann finished in atime of 1:21:52 and Tracey Sheehy in 1:24:06 completed the 88’s field.

Over at the Vitality 10k in London, four Dagenham 88’s took part with Rahana Islam so busy looking at Mo Farah running back lost out on an under 50 min run and hit 50:01. I ran 53:42, Kresh Veerasamy ran 1:17:13 and Sonya Byers completed the course in a time of 1:01:53.

**Upcoming Races**

South Essex Cross-Country at Thorndon (Race 4 of Club Championships) £5

Dagenham Elvis on 25th May, volunteers needed too!

Thames Chase 10k on June 5th, a Club Championship race link has been posted and will post again.

Havering Elvis 5 miles on June 14th Raphaels Park a Club Championship race (not open yet).

ERR Elvis 5k on 21st June Olympic Park (Not open yet).

So that’s another Captains corner complete, stay safe, healthy and injury free.

John Hughes

Co Captain