2006 Wing Athletics Competition

By Flt Lt D. Ratcliffe Surrey Wing ATC
Last Update: 01/09/2008 09:41:08

On Sunday the 7th May 2006, the Squadrons in Surrey Wing gathered for the annual athletics competition. This year the competition returned to the Kingsmeadow stadium near Kingston.

As competitors began to arrive you could sense that everyone was excited and eager to start. Squadrons had to arrive for a 9.30 start so that they could register their teams, set up and make any final preparations. On arrival they were greated by the new Wing Physical Education Officer Flt Lt Kevin Donovan who registered the team and issued an envelope containing the teams numbers for each event. Each staff member present was also registered and given a role to play including timers and activity officials.

Teams then found a place in the spectator stand or on the grassy banks around the running track. As usual many Squadrons set up gazebos and banners. Team leaders began their final preparations by issuing numbers to the teams and warming up their cadets.

The days events were kicked off simultaneously by the 100m sprint heats and the numerous field events. Then it was very much business as usual as the track events progressed one by one through the heats for each class and distance. The field events did the same gradulalry putting each class of cadets through their paces.

Each event had place cards which were given to the first three competitors who won that competition. These were taken to the medals table where CWO Coney from 97 ( Croydon ) Squadron recorded their names for selection of the Wing team and presented them with their medals.

Most events continued to run through lunch. In the early afternoon the excitement began to rise as the finals of the track events commenced. This reached high as the much anticipated 4x100m relays started. These are always fast, highly competative and contraversial. As normal numerous teams were disqualified by change over judges for cross lane running, dropping battons and changing outside of the designated areas. This meant there were often some disappointed teams who had won but of course many elated teams who finished lower down who ended up winning.

The day was concluded with the highly competative staff 4x100m relay. Which sees a number of Squadrons scrape together a collection of ageing, over the hill and has been runners into a relay team. However as always the competative spirit and inter Squadron banter were running high. This year 97 ( Croydon ) Squadron took the torphy with Plt Off Richard Curran running the final leg and finishing a good 30m ahead of their nearest rival.

The athletics this year was held at Kingston Athletics ground, were the facilities available were superb. The day concluded with cadets changing into working blues, so there could be a final parade where the trophies could be presented. The parade formed under Wing Warrant Officer Ed O'Neil and was taken over my Wing Commander Bob Gould. He went on to thank the staff who diligently ran each event and the staff of Kingsmeadow for providing the facility. Finally he read out the all important results. Firstly 3rd, 2nd and 1st place for each category A - E, then overall boys and overall girls. Finally the overall winning Squadron was announced.

Overall the day was a great success with both cadets and staff thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Many thank to the Wing PEdO Flt Lt Donovan for many hours of hard work organising this and also to the small army of staff who turned up and ran each event. We look forward to next year's competition.

Class A - Junior Boys Results:

1. 450 ( Kenley )



2. 350 ( Carshalton & Wallington )



3. 285 ( Coulsdon & Purley )

1. 97 ( Croydon )



2. 450 ( Kenley )



3. 1075 ( Camberley )

1. 1924 ( Shirley )



2. 97 ( Croydon )



3. 1172 ( Esher)

1. 328 ( Kingston)



2. 1172 ( Esher )



3. 2157 ( Mitcham )

1. 450 ( Kenley )



2. 350 ( Carshalton & Wallington )



3. 328 ( Kingston )

1. 97 ( Croydon )



2. 350 ( Carshalton & Wallington )



3. 1924 ( Shirley )

1. 328 ( Kingston )



2. 450 ( Kenley )



3. 285 ( Coulsdon & Purley )

1. 450 ( Kenley )



2. 350 ( Carshalton & Wallington )



3. 1924 ( Shirley )

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