Congratulations to the 30 entrants from the 24Hr Gym who entered various categories of the Swindon challenge. We came first and second in the main event of the day the dragon boat and first in the football.

It was Swindon’s answer to the corporate games recently held in Swindon. Although 24Hr Gym attracts people who take their training more seriously and attracts high level accomplished trainers and national and international level, we were “capped” by the entry requirements.
No county-level entrants could take part, this made us have to rethink who we could enter. So it came as a surprise when semi-pro and county level competitors turned up at the karting complete with designer gear and own helmets. With even former employees of the company hosting the karting in this team!

We managed third due to a technicality (in fact we were 2nd) we had team captain Delroy King, who was our Lewis Hamilton of the day, who really gave the sneaky pro entrants a skid for their money.

The football was captained by AJ (Adam James Mayhew) who took the team all the way to gold, well done Ajarman, who often quotes that he “does not do losing”.

The boat race captained by Andi Manley, being a former swimming world record holder was not allowed to compete in the swimming event and non of his swimming team due to county level status, so opted for another event, but the result was going to be the same from his team well done!

Mark Simpkins worked alone and no one saw his efforts but we all become aware of the result, again this was run in a spurious way, the handicaps were given prior to tee off, and so reflected the goal or par of the entrants, so those who knew the criteria found it easy to not be honest with their handicap.

As for the event, we were promised photos etc from the emailed to us …non have turned up. And press coverage of which 24Hr Gym awaited eagerly to see, was surprisingly focused of entrants who placed 3rd in the
football were featured and not the winners (24Hr Gym). Likewise with the Dragon Boat, it featured a company who sponsored the event.

Strange seeming it was a “challenge” and not a charity event, I thought a challenge was to gain and display the best, not just say “look at who all took part”. We all got goodie bags complete with balloon? Pen? And Tea shirt? With a leaflet promoting Swindon challenge event.

Pity it was not free passes to Swindon Council run sporting establishments, which would have been much more fitting. But we were told its Swindon’s first event like this and next year they would get it as right. The weather played a great part with glorious sunshine a few got gloriously burned in the boats, very good for the members and their families who all had a great day out at Coate Water Park.

Check out the Challenge Swindon website for more details about the whole festival.
www.challengeswindon.org.uk

Check out the BBC Wiltshire website for their story and photo gallery.
www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2007/06/05/dragon_race_alex_feature.shtml