Joe in bullish mood after ordeal

By roger houldcroft roger.houldcroft@thepostandtimes.co.uk

DARING Joe Vazquez survived a terrifying chase by a bull to join a bumper field of 600 in the annual JCB Lakeside Five – now in its 27th year.

Joe, a 64-year-old grandfather-of-four from Lower Tean, wasn't showing any visible scars from being involved in the famous Pamplona Bull Run earlier this month.

But he did don the red neckerchief, worn by participants in the iconic Spanish event, for the digger maker's race last Thursday.

The 825-metre bull run usually sees six fighting bulls and two herds of bullocks chase entrants through the streets.

And Joe, who works as an export customer service adviser at JCB, said: "It was the most frightening thing I have ever done."

The father-of-four, who is originally from Barcelona, was easy to spot as he completed the course around the company's Rocester base while waving a Spanish flag.

"I'm very proud of Spain winning the World Cup and my colleagues have all been very pleased for me," he said.

The race attracted a record field and marked the start of the company's 65th anniversary year in style by raising thousands of pounds for charity.

The bumper field generated £3,000 from entry fees and sponsorship for the NSPCC.

Lady Bamford, wife of JCB Chairman Sir Anthony, started the race and told the field: "Thank you for running for the children of Staffordshire and the NSPCC – I very much appreciate it."

To mark JCB's approaching 65th anniversary in October, a special anniversary medal was commissioned and presented to everyone who participated.

This year's five-mile road race around JCB's scenic World Headquarters, was won for the fourth year on the trot by Staffordshire Police officer Ben Gamble.

Ben, aged 28, is based at Rugeley police station and is a member of Tipton Harriers running club. He completed the gruelling race – in windy and showery conditions – in 26 minutes and 9 seconds.

First woman across the line was 17-year-old Dannii Johnson, of Cheadle, who was running in her first Lakeside Five.

Dannii, an A-Level student at Moorlands Sixth Form College and a member of Birchfield Harriers, completed the course in 30 minutes and 55 seconds.

Meanwhile, backhoe loader paint sprayer James Clark became the first JCB employee to cross the line in a time of 28 minutes and 24 seconds.

James, of Uttoxeter, said: "It is the first time I have taken part in the race so I am surprised and delighted to be the first JCB employee across the line. It was a very good field and there was stiff competition."

The 2.2 mile junior race, which took place just prior to the main event, was won by 14-year-old Alex Benfield, while 11-year-old Katie Hughes was the first girl through the tape.

Event co-ordinator Charles Bevan kept up his remarkable record of running in every one of the 27 races.

Charles, who is JCB's chief engineer for group electrics, joined his son Jason in donning fancy dress for this year's race.

Afterwards, he said: "It really was a bumper turnout and that is fantastic news for the NSPCC fund-raising effort. We set a maximum field of 600 and the entry forms were snapped up like hot cakes."

One of the last people to sign up for the race was German-based Attachments and Parts Manager Michael Janovsky.

Michael, 42, who works for JCB in Cologne, visited World Headquarters for a meeting with colleagues.

He said: "While I was here, I thought it would be great to take part in the race as I had heard a lot about it."

Race director Mick Smith, aged 65, from Rocester, helped organise the event from the beginning.

Mick, who worked at JCB for 48 years before his retirement, said: "It all started from a group of people having a run at lunchtime. It's been a good turnout this year and we're very pleased."

Race report and results: Page 44 and back page