ST. JOHN’S – Grenada’s most active track and field club, SpeedZone ended the 2010 – 2011 athletics season on a high in August when two (2) of its club members, Kirani James and Janelle Radhead participated in the IAAF World Championships. Janelle reached the semi-final round of the 200M, while Kirani won gold in the 400M.
Marking the start of the athletic season on September 1st, SpeedZone organized a high-praised and impressionable celebratory event to recognize the achievements of both athletes and Kirani’s birthday at the Cuthbert Peters’ Park in Gouyave, St. John’s. Scores of people turned out and shared in the experiences and surprises of the evening, which was organized in less than 2 days.
In unfolding the rest of the club’s 2011 – 2012 Track & Field Calendar, the 3rd Annual Talent Recruitment Drive was held on Saturday, 24th September at Cuthbert Peters’ Park. Aimed at being properly trained as world-class athletes, 38 serious youth hailing from 4 parishes and - for the first time – Carriacou, tried out in the Jumps, Throws, Distances and Sprints. Powered by LIME, the participants, who ranged from age 7 to 24, were tested in the areas of Maximum Velocity, Acceleration, Speed Endurance, Strength and Jumps by Coaches Jimmy Mathlin, Darvin Bowen and Kim Phillip. Every participant received a Certificate of Participation, compliments BluePrint Communications Grenada. SpeedZone hosts this event annually towards continuously growing the club’s membership, and to ensure early identification and proper training of athletes. The Organising Committee is expected to meet and analyse the data on each athlete and place them in suitable disciplines for training and competing.
On Sunday, October 2nd, the club hosted its first-ever ‘Fore-Day Morning Walk from Gouyave to Grand Roy and back. The event begun with a wake-up call from 2 groups of Vieux Coux, claded with gowns and their rhythmic shoes. Over 40 persons participated, ranging from 8 years to 67 years old, including a contingent from the Western Cops Fitness Club. Pamela Cumberbatch walked away with the title of Oldest Walker, and Sékou Sam and Noah Britton shared the title of Youngest Walker. 43-year-old Joseph Romain came in first, and 33-year-old Julia Samuel walked in second and as the first female. Based on the positive feedback received, the club intends to host similar walks every quarter in 2012 to fulfill its objective of promoting active and healthy lifestyles within the community.
Speaking on the activities held so far, Ms. Reece Sam, the club’s Marketing & PR Consultant told of the club’s intention to keep up with the momentum surrounding the club. “We’ve been functioning for the last 7 years; and have made many strides. However, since the achievements of our star athletes, Janelle and Kirani, we have become even more of a household name within the Tri-Island State, and intend to capitalise on that and bring focus to our many planned activities and to our club’s objectives and operations.”
The club will be hosting its first-ever SpeedZone Street Sprints (Triple S) on Sunday, 9th October, which comprises of a number of obstacle races and sprints on selected streets of Gouyave. It is another initiative geared towards bringing members of the community together to participate, while incorporating our unique culture. Some of the expected highlights include, Oily Tug-of-War, Jab-Jab Relay, and Dead Men Valley, King and Queen-of-the-Hill and Fisher-Folks Sprints.
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