RAOC Gazette - page 102
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1981 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1981 |
| Late date | 1981 |
| Transcription |
» CORPS CROSS COUNTRY THE CORPS CHAMPIONSfflPS Training Centre and Binks triumph THE 1981 championships were held over the now traditional two lap course of five and a half miles at Deepcut. On a dampish, but mild day Colonel John Gregan dropped his hat to set off nearly one hundred runners. From the start Lieutenant Andy Shepherd and Sergeant Mick Binks cut out the pace and it was obvious that a great race was in prospect from the two Army representatives. At the half way stage Shepherd led Binks by twenty yards. These were followed by Corporal Lonnen. Lieutenant Bott, Sergeant HIadkij and Captain Jelly—all of the Training Centre, followed by Lance Corporal Clarke and Corporal Phillips of the Com- mando Squadron. the excellent time of twenty eight minutes twenty nine seconds which was just outside the course record. Corporal Lonnen finished in third place. Lieutenant Andy Shepherd could not claim the individual prize because of ineligibility (REME) and so Sergeant Binks was declared champion for the third succes- sive year. He thus joins those athletes of previous years who scored individual hat tricks, Major Malcolm Bryant and Cap- tain Keith Darlow. The team race was never in doubt and the Training Centre took the trophy for the first time for seventeen years. Team results: First, Training Centre 'A' twenty one points; second. Commando Ordnance Squadron seventy eight points; third, Training Centre ' B ' one hundred and thirty nine points. Individual results: First, Lieutenant Shepherd. Training Centre twenty eight minutes twenty nine seconds; second. Sergeant Binks, Training Centre twenty eight minutes forty six seconds; third. Corporal Lonnen, Training Centre thirty minutes twenty seconds: fourth, Lieutenant Bott, Training Centre thirty minutes forty three seconds; fifth, Sergeant HIadkij, Training Centre thirty one minutes ten seconds: sixth. Captain Jelly. Training Centre thirty one minutes thirty nine seconds. THE BAOR CHAMPIONSHIPS The start (Colonel Gregan did get his hat back). Cm the second lap little change took place except that Shepherd stretched his lead over Binks to sixty yards to win in FOR those who have seen the film ' The Hill ' starring Sean Connery a picture will instantly spring to mind of a seemingly. hot, bare, topless, (and we are talking of cross country) sandy hill upon which soldiers were endlessly driven or ' encouraged.' to negotiate. For those who have run Dulmen's BAOR cross country course at Flaesheim, much the same picture is conjured up. Of course the only encouragement one can hope to expect in run- ning up the hill twice is to see the 15 Ordnance Group Com- mander, Colonel Curruthers, at the top shouting due encourage- ment especially to Dulmen, Viersen or Wulfen runners! There is the actual satisfaction of completing the course over such a hill particularly when the temperature is below zero and ice is encountered for the whole six and a half miles. Despite the hill, which is a very well known feature of BAOR Championships, the number of starters for this years race was most promising. A total of one hundred and three runners representing twelve teams came to Dulmen for the event, which was only confirmed on the day due to the bad snow conditions. The start was made in true RAOC style, by the Com- mander waving the Corps flag (from his own experience of BAOR Cross Country Championships—at a respectable dis- tance) and the race was underway. Great interest resulted in this years Championships since the tri-holders of the event, the notorious Dulmen team had, save two, been posted and in the main taken up residence at the Training Centre. For those who were wondering where the Bink's, Lonnen's and James' of this world went to—they now know! It would be true to say that it wasn't until near the end of the race that Ordnance Depot Viersen 'A' and 1 (BR) Corps Troops Ordnance Company 'A' could be considered as likely winners. The field, mainly due to the conditions was very spread out even amongst the leaders, and it took those shouting encouragement at the finishing line much stamping of feet and clapping of hands to keep remotely warm. However, save the odd runner, all starters eventually finished the course, and then hurried back to Dulmen for much needed hot tea and refreshments. The final scores were soon ready thanks to the computer-mind of the unit Paymaster Staff Sergeant Talbot, and the winners were declared. (Continued on page 350.) Sergeant Binks makes it look easy. 325 — |
| Book number | R0404a |