Nancy Babarinde powered to victory to take Ron the Con Power cup.
"Power Cup"? So named in recognition of Ron's lifelong sport of power lifting. Ron contunued to compete (and win) into his 80s. Body building, wrestling and a bit of boxing were also extensively dabbled.
At the finish of the race the participants swam at "Ron speed" for a further 84 metres (or yards if you wish - no one was checking) in recognition of Ron's 84 years when he died in March 2016. This is a custom we have followed since the 2016 race, just two months after Ron's death. What was a spontaneous suggestion by Kevin Blick is now a well established tradition.
Silverware for Nancy
(photo: Anthony Wood)
"The Power Cup" - so named in recognition of Ron's lifelong power lifting proficiency (photo: Anthony Wood)
Past president Robin Hunter stood in for the absent President Laure
Robin told of our dear friend Ron Whittam and today's race sponsors Kirstie Neilson and Mary Olivari (photo: Norman Jones)
Some like it hot
Ron was always ready to offer a kindly mug of tea, irrespective of whether or not you wanted one or had actually got out of the water.
First pick for last place
Lucy Harris finished last, but in deference to Ron's many slow finishes Kirstie and Mary felt it appropriate for our last placed to step forward and have first claim on a prize package (photo: Anthony Wood)
Fiona Campbell second (photo: Anthony Wood)
Luke Belfied third (photo: Anthony Wood)
Autumn 2002. Ron watched on by film maker Ian Stuttard, who we sadly lost last year.
Ron was born on the 2nd October 1931 in the London Hospital, Whitechapel. The Bethnal Green Weight Lifting Club obituary described Ron as “a living link to the past". It went on to report that "he spent all of his life within a mile of where he was born. In 1944 he was bombed out of his uncle’s pub at Old Bethnal Green Road (his uncle being killed by the V1 "doodlebug" rocket). He then moved to a prefab in Ion Square (now Gardens) off Hackney Road and when new flats were built, he moved to Wellington Row where he spent the rest of his life.”
Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club, 1952. A twenty one year old Ron 2nd from the right.
Ron’s lifelong passion was weightlifting, first visiting the Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club aged 16. Even in his 80s he would still be active in sports four times a week. Weights Tuesday and Thursday at the Bethnal Green club and swimming Wednesday and Saturday at the Serpentine.
Ron had also done a bit of boxing in his time and for many years was a member of the London Ex-Boxers Association (LEBA) . Ron spent many a happy hour chatting with anyone who shared the same passions. Foremost amongst those at the Serpentine was Gordon Brodie, who had boxed in his youth and in the Army. Gordon had apparently been in the same crowd as Ron at numerous wrestling and boxing matches attended in and around the East End (and The Royal Albert Hall) in the 40s, 50s and 60s.
After their swim Ron and Gordon would stroll along the side of the Serpentine and the Long Water to Lancaster Gate station, reminiscing about boxing, the old times and generally putting the world to rights
For further details/stories/gossip on Mary and Kirstie, and Ron, please follow this link to the 2021 web report - https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/51100/ron-the-con-cup-22-may-2021
Concentration lakeside as the race gets unnderway
(photo: Norman Jones)
Nancy gets going (photo: Anthony Wood)
The chase well and truly on (photo: Anthony Wood)
Spectators spectated (photo: Norman Jones)
Spotters spotted (photo: Anthony Wood)
Nancy pushed, all the way to the finish (photo: Norman Jones)
Salute of victory
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Race over, and an extra 84 yards at "Ron speed" (photo: Anthony Wood)
Congratulations all round (photo: Anthony Wood)
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)