Photos 2008

Photos of 2008walk at: http://robelliott952.fotopic.net/c1575714.html

Womens record set in 1995……….still standing

 

Cath Reader (now Duhig) of Ryston Runners smashed the 11 year old course record held by Guernsey walker Jenny Tostevin (now Elliott) when she came home in 3 hours 06.39.

It was a lonely race for Cath, as women are given a 30 minutes start on the men and Patrick Murphy, the mens winner could “only” muster a 2.39.25 clocking, leaving him a few minutes adrift at the finish.

Cath passed the 5 miles point in 47.19, 10 miles in 94.40 and 15 miles in 2.23.10, to finish well clear of second woman home Jill Green from the Isle of Wight (3.31.41), whilst local Rose Drückes finished third in 3.39.01.

 

Murphy was out on his own from early in the race, with Rob Elliott settling into second place. At the five miles point Elliott had been joined by Guernsey walker Carl Thomson and visitor Colin Bradley, as they clocked 43.13. The trio stayed together for the next five miles passing the 10 miles point in 86.06.

Bradley was to soon open a gap within a mile, closely followed by Thomson, with Elliott starting to struggle. Thomson hit a bad patch and Elliott made the effort to get away from him and close the gap to Bradley. Thomson called it a day at 13 miles and Elliott having caught Bradley soon left him behind to pass 15 miles in 2 hours 9 minutes.

Elliott took second place in 2.49.11, his quickest Church Walk since 1986. This was due to Elliotts long training sessions earlier in the year as he made his debut at 50 kilometres in England.

Bradley stayed the course to come home in third place in 2.54.46, ahead of 1964 Olympian John Paddick, who slipped under the three hours barrier in 2.58.19.

Cath Reader, whilst on holiday in Guernsey, ended up with a new course record for the Church to Church. This was a week after clocking 95.47 in the annual 10 miles Sarnia Walking Club v Royal Air Force match and a 3000 metres road walk clocking of 16.09 mid week!

Cath returned to Guernsey for the 2001 Church to Church and again came home as the first lady in 3.27.17.

Dave Dorey the Church racewalker

Dave Dorey at the Church to Church

 

Dave Dorey in 1974

One of the most consistant sub 3 hour Guernsey walkers and perhaps the unluckiest, finishing second on eleven occasions in the annual Church to Church walk, is the current Sarnia Walking Club President Dave Dorey.

Competing for the first time in 1967 at the age of 20 he finished just outside the 3 hours barrier finishing behind Len Bretel and the young John Brouard.

He was denied the Victory Cup the following year when the trophy was awarded to the Olympic walker Paul Nihill from Surrey Walking Club. The cup has now for many years been awarded to the first Channel Island walker to finish. Dave finished in a deserved second place, well behind the new course record of Nihill but ahead of local favourite Len Duquemin.

For the next 4 years he placed 2^nd, behind John Moullin in 1969, Rob Waterman in 1970, Len Duquemin in 1971 and Andy Le Heron in 1972. In these years he came closest to victory in 1971 when clocking his then best time of 2.49.31 to Duquemins winning time of 2.48.05.

 

 

St Sampsons Church in 1971 chasing  Len Duquemin

Finishing only 4 seconds slower the following year he came second best to Le Herons new Island Best time of 2.45.39.

Victory finally came his way in 1974 when he finished in 2.46.47 to Le Herons 2.50.03. His joy at finally taking first place was perhaps dampened when the Press report had a photo of Dave marginally “off the ground” in the finishing straight. The club was split and events highlighted in local papers as the “should he be disqualified” or “should the result stand” letters came in.

After some time he was awarded the win and the Victory Cup, the offending photo nowadays would not even raise eyebrows.

 

Dave made sure the following year getting the better of Sarnia WC Champion Mick Elliott with a 7 minutes winning advantage, after the two had been together for half the race.

 

Mick Elliott and Dorey 1975

Sidelined in 1976, he had the challenge of another Elliott in 1977, this time it was Mick Elliotts eighteen year old son Robert. Revenge was sweet as Daves huge final 5 miles effort still only gave him second place, ten seconds behind Rob. Elliott had a three minutes plus advantage at 15 miles but Dave closed down to within sight of the finish line where he drew level with the youngster but could not get ahead. History shows Rob found a huge sprint from deep within to leave Dave trailing.

Seconds after the 1977 finish, Dorey, Rob Elliott, Mick Elliott. (All local press cutting photos)

Another close finish a year later had him once again in second place, this time behind 21 year old Mick Perrio. Long time leader Rob Elliott retired at 17.5 miles, leaving Perrio and Dorey to fight for first place. Dorey was now leading with Perrio close behind. Perrio bridged the gap just before 18 miles and edged ahead with half a mile to go to get the victory by 17 seconds in 2.51.06.

Doreys best years were now behind him but he still got under 3 hours on another 4 occasions, finishing as second local between 1981 and 1985. 

His final appearance as a walker was in 1989 when he walked 3.16.15 for 6^th overall place.

Church walk factfile on Dave Dorey:

2nd 11 times to 7 different walkers

5th  Fastest Guernsey walker to date 2007 walk

16th Fastest Allcomer to date 2007 walk

14 sub 3 hour performances

 

1967 3.05.20 3^rd

1968 2.52.10 2^nd (1^st local)

1969 2.52.48 2^nd

1970 2.57.20 2^nd

1971 2.49.31 2^nd

1972 2.49.35 2^nd

1973 2.53.58 4^th (3^rd local)

1974 2.46.47 1^st

1975 2.49.42 1^st

1976 DNS

1977 2.53.44 2^nd

1978 2.51.23 2^nd

1979 2.55.38 3^rd

1980 3.07.30 3^rd

1981 2.55.10 2^nd

1982 2.55.05 2^nd

1983 2.56.32 3^rd (2^nd local)

1984 3.05.39 2^nd

1985 3.04.55 2^nd

1986 3.10.55 3^rd

1987 3.30.33 6^th (2^nd local)

1988 3.16.01 5^th (3^rd local)

1989 3.16.15 6^th (3^rd local)

Dave Dorey Guernsey profile at: http://walkguernsey.wordpress.com/sportsman-champions-profiles/dave-dorey/ 

1936

The start of the first Church to Church Walk at White Rock in 1936.

Photo from local paper

The Results. Basil J Bisson wins by a stride from “experienced” walker H G Taylor from Jersey.

First woman home Miss E. Hawkins walked the course in 3 hours 50 minutes. According to the Press report of the time, “on approaching  the White Rock finish she took fright when seeing the large crowd and tried to finish around the back of them, whilst the officials dashed after her with the tape.”

1976 1984

Mick Perrio ( 1) leads the field from Geoff Greening in 1976 walk. Previous winners are Eric Waldron (14) and Len Bretel ( 5).

1984 start with Dave Dorey (2), Kevin Le Noury ( 9), Jon Le Cras (15) headed by Dave Johnson. Photos courtesy of local Press.