Historic Performance by Team GB in Portugal
24-25 March 2006
The 8th European Deaf Cross Country Championships took place from 24-25th March
2006. The GB team consisted of athletes Lauren Peffers competing in the Junior Women 6km race, Douglas Rathey, Philip Swift and Ryan Mitchel in the Junior Men’s 8km; Candy Hawkin, Fiona Bishop and Serena Blackburn in the Women’s 8km. To make up a Women’s Team, Sandra Campbell entered the 4km event along with Candy, Serena and Fiona. The management team included Brian Kokoruwe (Team Manager), Sandra Campbell (Child Protection Officer), Guy Finney (Athletes Support), Hilary Samal (Medical) and Anne Peffers (Coaching Advisor).
The Team arrived in Oeiras a few days before the start of the competition to acclimatize. Oeiras is located on the west side of Lisbon about 15 mins from the city center in the metropolitan area. The cross country venue in Oeiras has been used for major mainstream athletic events such as the European and World Cross Country Championships.
The team spent the first few days before the competition acclimatizing as the weather in Britain had been cold. Following a few days of sunshine and very warm temperatures, the day before the events were due to start the weather changed; it was cold, heavy rain and very windy. It was a typical British weather and the GB team was confident that it would aid their performance.
This is the first time GB has had women representatives in the European Deaf Cross Country Championships; this means all the ladies participating in the races are the ‘first’ Deaf GB Cross Country runners! Well done!!
Race 1: Women 8km 24th March 2006
The first GB athletes to compete in the 8th European Cross Country Championships were Fiona Bishop, Serena Blackburn and Candy Hawkins in the ladies 4km race on the 24th March at 2pm. Unlike the previous day, the 24th March was bright, dry and very warm. Although the athletes felt that it was ideal weather to tackle the tricky course, they soon found that the humid dry conditions would make it difficult for them to breathe normally. At the sight of the flash light from the Starter’s gun, all the 3 GB athletes took it easy and picked up the pace later. Experienced Cross Country runners like Candy tried to keep up with the leaders; unfortunately, her legs gave way half way through the race due to the quick pace. Fiona and Serena who were making their GB debut ran moderately to conserve energy for the last part of the race. It was a very fast 8km with Russia’s Olga Shmigelskaya coming from 3rd position in the last lap to win in 29mins 33sec. Candy finished in a very respectable 6th position, Serena in 10th and Fiona 13th.
Race 2: Junior Women 6km 25th March 2006
Following on from the superb performances of the British women in the 8km race, our next competitor was Lauren competing in the Junior Women 6km. Unlike the previous tactics adapted by the previous women 8km winner, Lauren the World Junior Record Holder in both the 800m and 1,500m decided to show those lucky enough to witness the event that they were watching a special athlete in action. From the flash of the gun, Lauren shot up the course like a space rocket! This took the other athletes by surprise. Her fellow competitors decided to respond! It was like a 400m race!
But by the time they had ran 600m, most of the competitors began to feel the heat and so
they slowed down. Lauren continued with the same pace. Urged on by the Russian team manager, Evgenia Gurova (RUS) stayed a few steps behind Lauren. Lauren continued to speed around the course, with Evgenia in hot pursue. With 2 ‘long’ laps which had 4 huge hills on it remaining, Lauren stepped up a gear. Within 500m, Evgenia suddenly disappeared! She was a massive 250m behind at this stage. Rather than slow down to take in much needed air, Lauren was enjoying herself, giving her fellow ‘juniors’ a lesson in distance running. The 3rd girl Alevtina Senina also from Russia was about 100m behind her fellow country girl. It remained this way until the last lap when Lauren again stepped up the pace. In the blink of an eye, Lauren stretched her lead over Evgenia to about 500m. Evgenia was now breathless; she was paying the price for initially keeping up with the Worlds top Deaf lady middle distance runner. She almost came to a stand still, but with Silver medal within her reach, she bravely continued to run. At this stage, Alevtina knew she could overtake her fellow country girl, even if Gold was well beyond her.
Lauren ran through the finishing line to a massive applause from all the excited spectators, fellow athletes and officials from all countries who had enjoyed watching Lauren give her fellow athletes a free tutorial in distance running. Whilst Lauren was recovering, there was a struggle for the Silver medal. Evgenia who had been in Sliver medal position throughout the race was now fighting hold on to it. Unfortunately Alevtina piped her on the line to snatch the silver medal. What a sight!
Race 3: Junior Men 8km 25th March 2006
After watching the exciting Junior Women’s 6km race, it was now down to the Junior Men
to perform; GB’s Deaflympian Douglas Rathey and two talented new comers Philip Swift and Ryan Mitchell to show what they can do. There was a lot of pressure on the three competitors as they had to follow Laurens brilliant performance. The start of the race was greeted by warm sunny weather, which made breathing more dificult
Douglas, Ryan and Philip started quickly and attempted to keep up with the leading pack; the best crop of future Deaflympics middle distance runners. After the first lap, it was Philip that was leading the British trio, with Douglas second and Ryan third. The 8km course was very tough! The British lads were finding the course and hot, humid conditions difficult to cope with. Philip surprised everyone with his smooth running style and determination, however by continuously looking back to look what was happening, his progress was slow. Perhaps this was because it was the first time he has had to race without his hearing aids, however, with further experience; he is definitely going to be a star.
Eventually, Cichan Polat (Turkey) won the race. Thibaut Herel (France) was second with Philip finishing strongly in 16th position. Ryan’s keen interest and fighting spirit is a massive tool for an athlete to posses. Despite apparently finding the hilly course and humid conditions tough to cope with, he never let go and continued to run through to the end. Douglas who showed his strength towards the end proved that he is a force to be reckoned with in the shorter track races despite finishing 17th and Ryan 20th. With Ryan’s strength, he seems suited to shorter track events like 200m and 400m. We could have seen the new ‘Roger Black’ in Ryan! All three competitors gained more knowledge of Cross Country running and awareness of the standard of European Junior Men’s middle/long distance running.
Race 4: Women 4km 25th March 2006
After the tough 4km race the previous day, Candy’s Achilles tendon which has caused her many problems in the past became an issue of concern again. Serena and Fiona were also stiff, but Sandra had ‘fresh’ legs to form a team. We knew that if all the GB ladies could finish the race in a respectable time, there was a definite medal chance. Candy bravely decided to think positively and forget about the Achilles problem, which was good for the team. The race was run similarly to the previous day’s 8km race. In conclusion, again Olga Shmigelskaya of Russia was 1st, Daria Gaynetdinova (Russia) 2nd and Nele Alder-Baerens (Germany) won her 2nd bronze medal. Candy was again the top GB woman, but this time finishing 12th, with Serena right behind her in 13th position. Fiona was the 3rd British runner with Sandra bravely finishing the race in 19th position, despite being called into the event only in the last minute to make up the women’s team. The magnificient effort of the GB women’s team won them the Bronze medal behind Russia who had the Gold and Ukraine the Silver.
Portugal 
The trip to Portugal has been great. Everyone had a really good time. It was an opportunity for the new athletes to compete alongside experienced Deaflympians; Candy, Lauren and Douglas who are preparing for the Taipei 2009 Deaflympics Games.
During the trip, there was at least one team meeting everyday where the team manager updated the athletes with the latest news and gave them the opportunity to ask questions or discuss any issues that was of concern to them.
The food was not too bad. We could have done with a bit more variety, but we could say the Portuguese did their best to ensure that everyone’s tastes were met.
In between the training sessions, we strolled along the beach, went sightseeing locally or simply gave the big Lisbon shopping malls a look. The team mood was relaxed with everyone sharing jokes, laughing and enjoying the experience.
We have been invited by Lithuania Deaf Sports to participate in another Cross Country event in Lithuania in celebration of their 15 years anniversary. We are hoping to once again send in a team. All these are in preparation for Tapei 2009. Watch this space.
Deaf UK Athletics continues to work to identify new talented athletes to represent GB. For further information, please visit www.deafukathletics.org.uk.
Contact details:S
Postal: Deaf UK Athletics
PO Box 2360
Silverdale
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire ST5 7WA
Fax: 01782 561 665
Email: info@deafukathletics.org.uk
| privacy : disclaimer | css | html | wai-aaa | © Deaf UK Athletics 2004