Charlotte Cox

Saturday 3 July and Sunday 4 July saw us make our annual trip to the Disability Sport England National Junior Athletic Championship at Stanley Park in Blackpool.  I competed as part of the Eastern Region team and the competition included events for wheelchair athletes, athletes with mobility problems, partially sighted and deaf athletes as well as athletes with a learning disability.

I competed in the 100m on the Saturday and the 200m on the Sunday.

Crossing the finish line first in the 100m.

It was a hot and sunny day on the Saturday and I was successful in the 100m winning the Gold medal in a time of 15.6sec.  The weather turned colder on the Sunday with rain and a very strong head wind on the home straight but I still managed to win the 200m in a rather slow time of 34.8seconds.

Double Gold medals in the 100m and 200m

It was a successful weekend for the Eastern Region team as well, winning the overall competition, we have a fantastic manager Richard Hunt.  I will really miss being part of the team as this is my last year as a junior so it was good finish on a high.   This will also be the last year that dad spends his birthday in Blackpool.

The victorious Eastern Region team (I'm front centre holding the trophy).

Disability Sport England is a really good organisation to compete in you can see what they do on there web page http://www.disabilitysport.org.uk/

Next stop Mexico in September.

Saturday 26 June 2010 saw us at Sportcity in Manchester at the Regional Athletics Arena for the MENCAP National Athletics Championships.

The athletics arena is in the shadow of the Eastlands Stadium the home of Manchester City Football Club and the site of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Sportcity Manchester’s Regional Athletics Arena

I competed in the 100m and 200m sprints and would find myself up against athlethes that would represent GB in the European Championships in Croatia this summer.

I raced in an event for athletes Under 20 years of age but would also find myself competing against Senior Ladies (those over 20 years old).  I came second in both the 100m and the 200m on both occasions being beaten by Holly who races for Norwich Athletics Club and who will represent GB in Croatia this summer.

Two silver medals in the 100m and 200m - a good start to the season

I ran the 100m in 15.7 sec and the 200m in 33.63 sec.  Not my fastest times but a good start to the season.

Next week Blackpool for the Disability Sport England National Championships.

You can find out more information about Mencap Sport on there web page http://www.mencap.org.uk

I competed for Cambridge & Coleridge Athletics Club at Mile End Stadium in the Southern Womens League.  I competed in the following events:

100m – 16.2sec (Coming 4th in my race)

200m – 34.3sec (Coming 4th in my race in a personal best time)

Long jump – 2.47m

Shot putt – 3.71m (My first time competing in this event)

It was a very a hot day but a good competition to start my outdoor season.

The Mile End Stadium - overlooked by Canary Wharf

Finishing the 200m in a personal best time of 34.3sec.

My first shot putt competition.

Here I am at Core Cambridge’s gym with Harry my weight training coach.  I visit Core Cambridge once a week to do weight training and other exercises.

These exercises are to strengthen my core muscles.  These exercises help my power which will be good for my sprinting particularly my starts.  It’s hard work but will be worth while for my preparations for Mexico later this year and Athens next year.

Weight Training at Core Cambridge with Harry

Pull up execises at Core Cambridge with Harry

 Here is the link to Core Cambridge’s web site: 

http://core-cambridge.com

My competions this year are:

• 22 May 2010, Southern Womens League match, London
• 20 June 2010, Special Olympics GB Southern Region Championships, Thames Valley
• 26 June 2010, MENCAP National Championships, Manchester
• 3/4 July 2010, Disability Sport England National Championships, Blackpool
• 2/14 September 2010, First World Games for Athletes with Down Syndrome, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I’ll update this as new competitions are entered.

On Friday 14 May 2010 I went to Runcorn to join the Special Olympics GB squad for a weekend training camp for the World Games in Athens 2011.

Arriving at the hotel.

I met the squad and the rest of the athletics team.  The girls in the team are Anne, Vicky and Hannah and our coaches names are Tony and Lesley.  I got measured for my GB kit and had a training session to improve my techniques at running and long jump.

My room mate and fellow sprinter - Anne from Scotland

While I was working hard Mum, Dad and Will walked around historic Chester.

Historic Chester - The Eastgate Clock

On Saturday 10 April the Toft Social Club hosted an aution of promises to raise funds to send Charlotte to Mexico.

The event had a Mexican theme with music provided Toft Sessions (Mexican Division) and a wonderful meal of chilli provided by Senorita Carol.

The proceedings were overseen by two hilariously funny hombres, Senors Richardo and Martino and the auction raised a staggering £2,700.

Auctioneer - Senor Richardo

David, Sonia and Charlotte would like to say “muchas gracias” to our friends and neighbours for giving Charlotte’s fund such a tremendous boost.  We are overwhelmed and humbled by the generous support you have shown.

Thank You.

On the 25 March 2010 I received a letter telling me I have been selected to represent GB at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens from 19th June to the 5th July 2011.

Check out the official web site at: www.athens2011.org/en

On the 27 March I went to Cardiff as part of the Eastern Region team to compete in the SOGB Indoor National Athletics Championships.  The event was held at the University of Wales’ National Indoor Athletics Centre.

I competed in the long jump, the 200m and the 4x60m shuttle relay.

It was a really good weekend and I won a silver medal in the 200m, I came a disappointing 6th in the long jump (I’m still practicing this) and the team came 3rd in the relay.

Here you will find details about my sporting activities, and the run up to my trip to Mexico in September 2010 to represent Great Britain at the First World Games for Athletes with Down Syndrome. 

Check out the official web site at www.iaads.info

All my major medals for 2009