Page 29 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 82

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Rafeek Mohammed Continues to Excel in Track
Events
By Jim Riddell
afeek Mohammed, a member
Rof the Cornwall Multi Sport
Club, has continued to have
success in the numerous events
that he has raced in. A native of
Trinidad, Mohammed moved to
Canada in 1975. Having played
soccer and cricket “just for fun”
in Trinidad, he began playing
competitively in Canada. He
also began to take part in several
charity runs being held in the
Toronto area at that time. Rafeek
began his career at Kraft Foods
in the late 70’s, transferring to
the company’s Ingleside location
in 1994.
Since his retirement in 2015,
he has had more time to train,
competing in a wide variety of
races up to and including the
42 km marathon distance. In
2018 Rafeek shifted his focus,
transitioning from distance
running to track events.
Mentioning that while the
longer distances can take a toll
on your body, the track events
require diligence in both training
and nutrition. Success on the
track came quickly with a great
performance at the Canada 55
Plus Games held in St. John NB.
All athletes had to qualify for the
games in their home province,
with every province sending a
team. Each athlete is allowed
to participate in a maximum of
four events. Rafeek entered the
400m, 800m, 1.5 and 3 km races,
finishing first in all four of them.
The 55 Plus games are held every
other year with Kamloops BC
hosting in 2020. Competing at
these games, Mohammed stated,
provides an excellent opportunity
to travel and see Canada. At the
Ontario Masters Rafeek entered
three races, winning the 800m,
and finishing fourth in both
the 400m and 1500m. At the
Canadian Masters in Montreal
Issue #82 September 2019 29
Rafeek had a 2nd place finish in
the 800m and a 4th in the 200m.
The Somersault Series are
races that are based in Ottawa,
but also have races in Smiths
Falls, Kingston and Sydenham.
Runners are awarded points,
based on their finishing position
for each race with total points
determining position at the
end of the season. 2018 saw
Rafeek taking 2nd place in the
Championship Challenge. In
2016 Mohammed raced over
500 km in 60 timed events, and
suffered an over use injury in the
process. Tapering back a bit he
has entered 32 timed events in
the past 12 months running 155
km, saying that “at this age things
seem easier to break and take
longer to heal. Using the Empire
State Games in Cortland NY,
just off Hwy 81 as an example,
Rafeek entered eighteen events Photo Submitted
at last year’s games with several
of them being sprints, which can Brought to you by Rookez-Edge
be hard on the body.
Rookie of the Month
Charity runs are something
that Rafeek continues to enjoy Josué Lokeng Yepseu
participating in stating that “they Age: 9
provide an excellent training Grade: 5
session while supporting a
worthwhile cause”. As a member School: École publique Élémentaire
rep for the Cornwall Multisport Rose des Vents
Club, Rafeek was one of the co- Home Town: Douala, Cameroon
ordinators for the annual Kids’ “Summer 2019 was Josué’s first season
Run. Approx. one hundred kids of soccer, and he did an amazing job,”
took part in this year’s event says Seaway Valley Soccer Club U12
“Belgium” team coach Jesse Ferguson.
competing in four divisions with “He has a very positive attitude and
distances varying by age. Under keeps smiling no matter how the game
6 yr. – 700m, 7-9 yrs-1.25 km, 10 ends in terms of score. He listens to
– 12 yrs. – 2.5 km, and the 13 – his coach and has improved a lot over
16 age group ran 3.75 km. Local the season. Great job, Josué!”
sponsors and donations covered
the cost of providing every child
with a participation medal with
the top male and female in each
division receiving a plaque. We
ALL NEW HOCKEY GEAR NOW IN STOCK
are trying to promote physical
activity and a healthy lifestyle for
youth in the community. We had 400 Second St. W. Cornwall
a lot of happy kids taking part. 613-938-0001 • www.rookez-edge.com