Once again the athletes of Central and East Region overcame the stiff opposition, and the vagaries of the British weather, to notch up another Victory in the Corps Athletics Championships at RAF Cosford.
Through sultry heat and heavy showers, the athletic cadets powered through to achieve a 21 point victory over nearest rivals, London and South East Region.
Of the six major trophies, the Region took three; The Elvin Cup for the Under17 Boys, The Critchley Cup for Junior Men and, the most important, The Air Reserve Gazette Cup as overall winners of the competition.
Squadron Leader Kevin Bunn, the Region Sports Officer said; “A special mention must
be made of the following Cadets: Cadet Stephanie Tallon from 57 (Potters Bar) Squadron, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire Wing, who agree to run the 800 metres for the Under 15 Girls a minute before the race started . The cadet who was due to run this race dropped out as the cadets were being lined-up to start. Stephanie has never run 800 metres before and this great effort gained us point we would have lost.
Corporal Saffron Grant from 492 D/F (St Paul’s School), who stepped-up and ran the Under 15 Girls leg of the 5 x 400 metres Relay at the last minute (due to an injury), and Corporal Dominique Bell from 207 (Cranfield) Squadron, Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Wing, who again stepped-up and run the last leg of the 4 x 100 metres Relay at the last minute because of another cadet’s injury.
I must also mention Corporal Tommy Dade of 222 (Broadland) Squadron, Norfolk & Suffolk Wing, who finished the day with three Gold medals and one Silver medal.
I will also record my thanks to Cpl Claire Brown, 104 (City of Cambridge) Squadron, who came into the team at short notice filling in for a cadet who had to drop out”.
It was a magnificent team effort and the cadets of Central and East Region should be proud of the result they achieved.