I tend to run full marathons rather than halves – as the saying goes; “one should never do anything by half”! The WPFG did not stage a marathon so a half it had to be.

Most of our team arrived in Barcelona Friday evening. Unfortunately, they changed the event day from Sunday to Saturday that meant we had to get our skates on in the morning to register and make the 8am start.

Skates were definitely needed as our 6am rise from bed gave us only two hours to sort out our accreditation, registration and collect our race numbers. Fortunately out hotel was in walking distance and we made these formalities and the start line by 7.45 am. Not a lot of time to warm up though the sun was now well up and touching 75 degrees so ‘warm-ups’ were not that essential.

The start from the Olympic Stadium was tremendous with a nice downhill start into the City made the first two miles most enjoyable. However, by five miles the heat was intense and by ten miles touching 90 degrees.

Survival tactics kicked in and running in the shadow of every available building, tree, lamp-post and spectator was important. I was armed with sun block, baseball cap and carried water that made this 13-mile race bearable.

After a steep climb I entered the tunnel of the Olympic stadium. The cool shade for some 100 metres allowed me to compose myself for the re-entry onto the 400-metre running track. I passed my wife and other team supporters and had a tremendous final run around the track to finish in 1 hour 42 minutes. This was well down on my usual half marathon time that clearly reflected the high temperatures and hilly finish.

“I don’t do things by half “eh? Could I have set off again and done another lap, a full marathon? I think not! - Particularly as temperatures hit 104 degrees later that day. A half was more than enough for one day.

PC Michael Horne – Dolphinholme - Half Marathon

Running in warm temperatures does not agree with most runners, particularly me. However, an opportunity to run in the World Police and Fire Games in a city that I have never visited was an opportunity not to be missed.

I had a tremendous run despite the 90 degrees heat and enjoyed the atmosphere of the race, and finish in the Olympic Stadium. I finished in a respectable time considering the warm conditions and a hilly last two miles. A great experience.

DC Dave Watkinson – Penwortham - Half Marathon

Having suffered an Achilles injury in April 2003 and unable to run all being a couple of miles that same week I was happy to compete and complete the undulating course in the 30 degree heat in a personal worst! Now that I have had a taste for it, roll on Montreal in 2005!

Ms Sue Harrison - HQ MCU - Half Marathon

I have been asked to put a few words together to describe my experience of the `games`. My first thoughts were `horrid` and my second thought was `horrid`, but on reflection I am glad I took part.

As we came out of the Olympic Stadium we started to run down the hill into the city, with a beautiful view in front of use, forgetting that on the way back we would have to climb the hill, or should I say mountain.

As the race progressed the sun was getting hotter, and my body was beginning to hurt. As I hit the 10k mark I remember thinking I’d had enough and wanted to go home. As I reached the 10 mile mark I noticed the sweeper vehicles were getting closer, I tried to run faster, determined to finish, but the bus kept getting nearer. After I had been running for 2hours and 18 minutes, I was told that the officials were going to open up the roads and we had to get on the sweeper bus. This I was determined not to do, I had come a long way and was going to finish the race, come what may. After chatting with the driver, I and another runner decided to continue and run along the paths and finish the race. It wasn’t long before I reached the road leading up to the stadium and that dreaded hill. I was on my own at this point, and as I began to struggle up the hill, along came my saviour, a spectator. He could see I need help and ran with me to the stadium entrance, I was so grateful for the support and encouragement.

As we entered the stadium gathered outside were spectators and competitors who clapped and cheered. As I entered the tunnel the claps and cheers began again and like a wave the competitors moved to let me pass. I was filled with all kinds of emotions at this point; it felt like I was a winner rather than one of the last runners coming home. As I came out of the tunnel there sat my team mates, shouting and waving, all I had to do was run another 400 metres and then I had finished. I eventually reached the finished line in a time of 2 hours and 44 minutes feeling absolutely `done in`, but I can now say with pride that I have run in the Olympic Stadium and completed a half marathon in Barcelona, something I would never have done without the support of the Lancashire Constabulary Sports and Social Club. Thank you.

PS Dave Wilkinson - Half Marathon

I have now been running regularly for the last six years but the Half Marathon Road Race at the World Police Fire Games was my first race outside the United Kingdom. I had been training hard and looking forward to this major world event. We arrived late at night and the main shock was that we had to register for the race, have our photographs taken for official accreditation and obtain our race numbers prior to the race starting at 0800 hours. We managed to get this done about 0700 and at 0730 were still some way off the race venue, we arrived at the Olympic Stadium at 0745, picked up our numbers and by the time we had put the numbers on we walked into the stadium to find the gun going off for the start before we had time to warm up or get our bearings.

We ran out into town just as the sun was coming up and for the first five miles felt quite well even though the air I was breathing in was a combination of car fumes and dust bins that hadn’t been emptied for weeks. I tried to keep in the shadows of buildings but about eight miles we turned a corner and the full force of the sun was on me, by mile nine the rush hour traffic started and I found it almost impossible to breathe, at mile ten I stopped running for about two minutes trying to get some air into my lungs and managed to get going again, at mile eleven I started running back up the hill towards the stadium and literally shuffled up the hill in an almost dream like semi-conscious state, a motorcyclist pulled up beside me thrust a bottle of water in my hand and sped off again. I took a drink, set off again and then saw the stadium in the distance. To my horror I think it was a mirage in the heat because it seemed to be getting further away, I can’t remember anything about the last mile except entering the stadium and thinking I have got to look good as I enter the stadium. I did the last four hundred meters round the track, heard my name called out as I crossed the line and then collapsed onto a chair in the shade and didn't move for about twenty minutes thinking why do I do these things? I didn't win any medals but I had my reward later in the evening at a back street Tapas Bar, the waiter brought some of the best black pudding I have ever tasted and that felt better than any gold medal.

Ms Shirley Worrall - Half Marathon

For some reason it didn't occur to me, when I eagerly added my name one wet and windy day last February to the list of people wishing to escape the English mud and gloom to run a half marathon in Barcelona at the World Police & Fire Games, that on 2nd August Barcelona was likely to be very hot indeed...

As I lined up at 8am in the Olympic Stadium, though, and prepared to run 13.1 miles in what was already approaching 90 degrees, the message did finally sink in!

It was quite a thrill to run through an Olympic Stadium echoing to the cheers of the supporters - all of whom were no doubt warmly congratulating themselves for not having entered the race - and the thrill continued for a mile or so as I ran steadily down the steep hill - bordered by quite fantastic views - towards the city below.

A few miles into the race, though, the experience of running in such intense heat so early in the morning - my body still thought it was 7am, and at times I'm sure it still thought it was in bed - began to take a toll, and I spent much of the next 90 minutes or so fantasising about good old English puddles and rain, and praying with increasing desperation for the race to end...

Happily, the race eventually did end, and in due course we all struggled - sweaty, but virtuous and now starving - back to the hotel to shower and prepare for the fun to come. The fun of the next day and a half did entirely make up for the agonies of competition.

Barcelona turned out to be the most beautiful city that I have ever visited, and ultimately I was entirely overwhelmed by a combination of the beautiful modern architecture, the amazing variety of interesting and delicious local foods available at the tapas bar recommended by Michael Horne and the inebriating qualities of the local fire water (which I felt obliged to sample, just as a matter of principle, of course).

The trip was really enormous fun, and I'd be very keen to do it again should the opportunity arise.

On my return to England I checked the results of the race on the World Police & Fire Games website to discover to my amazement that I had come 3rd in the ladies 40 to 45 category winning a bronze medal! I honestly thought I would be not be in the medal placings but I am now looking forward to receiving my belated medal from the organisers in Spain.

Ms Julie Yates - Half Marathon

Another Broady tour success! Great to be involved. Although stadium was far from full the atmosphere was great, everyone got a big clap - good job it's the taking part that counts! Although I'm not a morning person I'm glad the start was at 8am because it would have been far too hot later in the day. Got a bit worried when got to the first water station at 5k and there was none left for us stragglers because I was already starting to feel shivery and cold due to de-hydration - didn't have any money to nip into a shop and buy some and couldn't speak a word of Spanish. However, organisers obviously realised this was a problem and must have acted quickly to provide a table with water at about 8k. After that started to enjoy it and was actually looking forward to the hill as I knew that was near the end - it was a killer though! Don't think I'll do a tougher half than that. Worst bit really was getting lost with Shirley, was absolutely knackered and left Sue and Dave at 4.30 to go back to the room for a sleep. We must have walked another 13 miles trying to find the hotel - not funny! As you know we were eventually found at 8pm having bought a street map which was neither use nor ornament with our combined navigational skills. Looking forward to Canada!

PC Mike Riley - Half Marathon - Mountain Bike

Sadly, the only event that I competed in was the mountain bike cross country event held on Monday 28 July. I was scuppered on the cross country running by a delayed flight that meant I arrived in Barcelona well after registration closed and missed the start of the half marathon event by seconds having been given wrong directions by a Spanish policeman – another story!

Despite all this, the mountain biking was held on the northern outskirts of the city close to the suburb of Esplouges De Llogorbrat and consisted of three or four laps of a hilly circuit with great views over the city (if you had time to look).

The event was split into different age categories and were in effect five or six separate races starting at 9am with the last start for the open class at 1pm.

There was a good standard of competition with an excellent course. I finished 34th (79 finishers) in the Senior B after losing quite a few places in a crash on a steep rocky descent on lap 2. Pete Danby finished 52nd (100 finishers) in the Senior A.

Despite this incident and temperatures of about 100F it was a thoroughly enjoyable event with a high standard of international cyclists.

PC John Wiggans - Long Jump – Triple Jump

Arrived in Barcelona on Sunday 27th July and attended the opening Ceremony that evening which was a sell out in the Olympic Stadium. All The athletes from all the disciplines who had arrived in Barcelona paraded around the stadium waving flags and soaking up the atmosphere.

This was followed by a few drinks in the competitors "village".

The track & field was of an excellent standard, with some world class performances. I competed in the Long Jump on the Friday where I finished 6th out of 9 competitors and then in the Triple Jump on the Saturday where I managed 3rd place (out of 8 competitors) and a bronze medal. Upon speaking to the winner from Saudi Arabia and asking him what future competitions he had this year, he told me his major championship this year was in Paris for the IAAF World Championships!!

I returned home Sunday 3rd August with many happy memories and looking forward to the 2005 games in Quebec, Canada.

Rowing Section Members

Insp Wayne Howard - Indoor Rowing

This was my second World Police and Fire Games and what an experience it was. When they were last held 2 years ago I returned victorious from Indianapolis and was so excited about the event that I formed an indoor rowing section of the Constabulary Sports and Social Club, determined that I would not be alone in the honours list for Barcelona. Five of us prepared very hard and went out to compete in the beautiful Olympic city of Barcelona.

I was grateful that for the first time competing abroad I received some funding assistance from members’ contributions of the Sports and Social Club and the Police Federation. (No use of any public funds from Constabulary)

The opening ceremony for the multi-sport games were held on the Sunday in the Barcelona Olympic Stadium and what a fantastic experience it was. The event was opened by King Juan Carlos of Spain, and was attended by over 30,000 spectators. With 11,000 fire fighters, police and prison officers from over 50 countries taking part the atmosphere and friendship was something never to be forgotten. It is hard to believe but the Games actually have more competitors than the summer Olympics.

I was rowing on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The individual heats and finals were on the Tuesday and everyone hit top form with Sue Palmer, Ian Mounfield and Neil Ashton all achieving personal best times in their individual finals events.

I was up against my team-mate Pete Burke who has competed at a high standard for far longer than I have. Nevertheless, the race turned into a really tough slog between the two of us. I was never quite able to close a small gap that Pete secured at about half distance, and he also managed to shave a half-second off my World Games record time that I had set in Indianapolis in 2001. It was a very proud moment for me for both of us to secure the top two places in the over 45 age category.

The next day we competed in the 2 x 500-metre relay. We had a great row but were up against two ‘young’ 40 year olds from Finland. We clinched silver, and amazingly our time would have secured us gold medal in the 30 to 39 years category! It’s tough at the top.

On the final day I got my ‘gold’ when I teamed up with Anne Shore from the Garda Siochana, We had rowed together to gold at Indianapolis so it was nice to hold onto our title.

The thing that made me feel most proud was the fantastic performance of the constabulary indoor rowing team as a whole. Police officers and fire fighters from Canada, USA, Spain, Australia, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Denmark were the main opposition, but remarkably the five of us were more successful than any other national team competing in our sport.

I hope the team can stick together and even though I will have retired when the next Games are held in Quebec in 2005 I fully intend to compete in the over 50’s.

DC Neil Ashton - Indoor Rowing

Two Silvers don’t make a Gold

In late July I was fortunate enough to participate in the World Police and Fire Games held in Barcelona. Together with four other colleagues I entered the Indoor rowing competition that was run over 2000m for the individual race and 1000m for the pairs.

My wife and I took the opportunity to turn the event into a city break without the kids and sample the delights of one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Upon arrival we had to get to the Olympic sports complex and register for the events. I was amazed at the scale of the event and the amount of organisation involved as well as the high profile the games had received in and around the city. Upon registration I learned that I would have to race a qualifying round and be in the top eight finishers to qualify for the final later in the day. Qualification was uncharted water and being in the first heat didn’t help. I had no idea what time would be required to qualify so had to work hard and qualified second in 6.27 which required a little more effort than I had hoped. The finals were held later that evening so the priority was to avoid the heat and re-fuel.

My particular final was towards the end of the program so I had the pleasure of watching the other Lancashire rowers performing fantastically, which really put the pressure on. The support from all the other Lancashire competitors including the lads from the water polo team was much appreciated. In the final I went out hard and was leading at the 1000m mark but Jaari the big Finnish fireman decided he’d had enough and cruised past me one handed and won in 6.14, a top time by any one’s standards. The race was on to secure silver, which was a close run thing with a lad from Suffolk, but thanks to the fear of failure I hung on to finish second in 6.23. Climbing down from the stage and onto the podium with jelly legs was the biggest challenge of the week but I managed it.

The pairs took place the following day. I was partnered with Ian Mountfield from Skelmersdale, who had won gold the previous day. In the end the race was a bit of a farce, as we had to do a “hot” change after 500m. Consider this with eight other teams on the stage and comedy rowing was born. In the end we came second in a race on paper we should have won relatively easily. Obviously Ian didn’t try hard enough as he already had a gold medal!

All in all the games were a great experience and I would encourage everybody who takes part in a sport or past time semi-seriously to consider entering. Even darts and quoits are catered for, so have a go.

Finally, thanks to Wayne Howard for organising and encouraging us all in the run up to the games. Also cheers to my training partner Martyn Rushton, yes Martyn Rushton. Rushy has been an ever present during the training program and resembles Steve Redgrave when he gets on the machine, or is it Vanessa Redgrave. Whatever, Martyn has been of great help and support.

PC Pete Burke - Indoor Rowing

My event was the indoor rowing and I have been competing in WP&FG since Colorado Springs in 1993, the only one I'vemissed was the last one in Indianapolis.

I have always found the Games enjoyable and professionally run (except for Barcelona)!

It has always interested me that although there are a vast number of entrants from all over the World, all of whose Countries have different and conflicting agendas, this to my knowledge has never encroached into the Games. I would describe the events as friendly but competitive.

It is always nice to see faces from the past events and you always seem to get a hardcore that is there year after year.

This year seems to have been the best for organisation within the County. In the past I have relied on approaching the various Federations and Sports Committees myself but this year it was made a lot easier by us all having the same funding.

I found that our indoor rowing team booked their own trips and accommodation according to personal agendas. We were scattered around Barcelona and only met at the times of competition or meetings. I don't know if the other teams experienced this but it might be worth bearing in mind for the future making early contact with a company to arrange if possible a discounted or sponsored scheme whereby the Lancashire teams would be more compacted and central to just a few Hotels.

As for the competition itself I was highly delighted with my personal achievements of Gold in the individual and Silver in the Doubles. Unfortunately I was up against Wayne Howard in my individual event and we were both capable of winning, it was just a shame we were in the same age category.

I was also fortunate enough to break the competition record which Wayne had held previously.

You've probably heard about the farce as regards the organisation of some of the events. I'm not going to harp on about it but I hope there isn’t a repeat in the future.

PC Sue Palmer - Indoor Rowing - Open Water Rowing

I had a great time in Barcelona. Won three medals altogether. I didn't win a medal in the outdoor; I need to get my technique better for that event. I won silver in the individual 2000m indoor in a PB of 7:38.2. I then teamed up with a girl from Garda Siochana ( Anne Shore) in the ladies indoor doubles to win Gold, and with a lad from the Prison Service (Roger Hemmings) in the Indoor mixed doubles to win Bronze.

The events were over four days, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Saturday. The competition was pretty good in the Indoor with the German girl who beat me in the individual being close to International times at 7:08. She was also 6'3" tall!

Swimming Section Members

DC Ian Mounfield - Water Polo – Rowing

Nervous In Barcelona !!

I have recently returned after attending the World Police and Fire Games which were held in Barcelona between 27^th July and 3^rd August 2003.

Prior to games I had been training on the Concept 2 rower for the past twelve months, specifically for this event. During this training I had completed a 2000 metre row in the time of 6 minutes 20 seconds, and felt physically sick at the end of it! During the training I should have done further 2000m rows as tests, but always “bottled” it, and therefore my next 2000m row was to be in Barcelona- mad I know! My target was to row under 6 minutes 20 seconds and see where that would place me in the competition.

After attending the superb opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday 27^th July 2003, my Individual event was to take place on the following Tuesday. On walking into the competition venue I saw the stage and the eight rowing machines, and all of a sudden my stomach started to turn! In my heat I was competing against rowers from USA, Sweden and Finland, and they were big lads….and I’m 6ft 6!! I have never been as nervous as when I was sat on the rower waiting for the countdown to the race begin. I think this was probably because I knew what pain I was about to go through.

In the heat I rowed the 2000m in the time of 6m 23 seconds, which put me into the final later that day. With the venue full of spectators the atmosphere was unbelievable, and I just wanted to get it over with. As the race started I was lying in second place up until the 1000m mark where I caught the leader. It was at this point that I could here the tremendous support from my friends and colleagues behind me and I thought to myself you can’t “bottle” this now. I eventually went on to win the race in a time of 6 m 18 seconds - one second outside the World Games Record - and felt extremely proud to win the Gold medal.

The following day I competed with DC Neil ASHTON in the doubles competition. Neil rowed the first 500m brilliantly and we then had to do a “hot change” and I rowed the second 500 m. Unfortunately, due to the previous days exertions I didn’t row as well as I wished, and we finished in the silver medal position….sorry Neil!!

Over the next three days I then competed in the Water- Polo competition with the Great Britain Police Team. The standard of the Water – Polo was excellent, and after some good performances the team progressed through the group stages and into the semi-finals. Unfortunately we then lost both of our games and finished in fourth position.

This was my first World Police and Fire Games, and I will be making every effort to attend further games. I just hope I’m not as nervous next time!!

PC Greg Plummer - Water Polo – Triathlon

Triathlon Swim-1500m Cyckle-40k Run-10k

The opening event of the World Police Fire Games saw 500 competitors line up on the beach of Port Olympic on a very hot and sunny morning. PC Greg Plummer Central entered his first ever Olympic distance triathlon. With wet suits forbidden due to a high sea temperature 25c and the air temp similar even this early, the heat was going to be a major hurdle to over come. Going in 3 groups at 3 minute intervals Greg was in the third group. Keeping plenty in reserve Greg exited the water well placed in 24mins. A blistering bike ride on a fast flat course saw Greg complete the 40k ride in 61mins. With the temp now into the 30s and only one water station on a 2 mile lap circuit Greg struggled with dehydration and plodded home for a very credible time of 2hrs 25mins and 6th place in his age group.

PC Greg Plummer - DC Roy Sinclair - DC Dave Briggs - Water Polo

Water Polo

PCs Greg Plummer Roy Sinclair Ian Mounfield and Dave Briggs were selected to be part of the GB Police water Polo team defending the gold medal they won in Sweden in 1999. Seven teams (four Spanish) entered the competition and were seeded into two groups. In the group stage the G.B. team drew one and won one game to qualify for a playoff for the gold medal against one of the Spanish teams. With all the referees being Spanish the G.B. team found themselves on the receiving end of very biased decisions and lost convincingly 15-4. With even more biased refereeing the G.B. team also lost the playoff for the bronze medal and came away empty handed with many impartial observers shaking there heads in disbelieve.

Squash Section Member

Inspector Peter Upton - Squash

My first experience of the World Games. A very pleasurable experience and one I would hope to repeat if at all possible. If there was a down side it was my decision (very logical at the time) to take my oldest squash kit with me and throw it away as I played, to save on the carriage of dirty washing. To my horror all the other competitors turned up in brand new kit with World Games insignia thereon expecting to swap shirts after each game. Funny now but embarrassing at the time.

I played six matches in the over 40 events, playing a Hungarian civilian, Spaniard police officer, Malaysian police officer, Yorkshire Customs and Excise Officer, London fire-fighter and a Spanish fire-fighter in the final, which I won 3-1.Four of the five age groups, were won by British entrants.

If you thought it was hot running round outdoors, dont bother with the indoor events!

Cycling Section Member

PC Peter Danby - Cycling

Nothing exiting to report regards my involvement in the games and certainly no medals.

All that I can say really is that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of racing in Spain. The only drawback being that us Lancashire lads are more at home up to our armpits in freezing cold mud!!

A German competitor passed me within the last half of the last lap going like the clappers downhill (no doubt showing off).He fell off almost immediately much to the amusement of the spectators and me. Quite obviously a case of the tortoise and the hare syndrome...I never saw him again...There's mud in your eye. Or, maybe that should be dust.

Finally……….

Thanks for the support from the Sports and Social Club and the Police Federation for their valued support. It was very much appreciated.

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Page last updated

Thursday, 03 July 2008 01:31:19