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Calpeans AC celebrate 65th anniversary

Calpeans AC recently celebrated 65 years of athletics in Gibraltar.

Formed in 1954 by Charlie Flower, Pepe Ramirez, Salvador Gaduzo and Lloyd Devincenzi Calpeans soon established themselves at the forefront of Gibraltar athletics.

It was in 1958 that Calpeans were officially recognised and under the guidance of Charlies Flower and Tito Torres Sr Calpeans started to make a name for themselves in the newly formed Road Racing League.

Since then Calpeans were “practically invincible” between the 60s to the 90s, however the reduction of military personnel, especially the resident Battalion on the Rock and decline of local athletes the Road Racing league slowly lost popularity.

Only to be revitalised over the years with the sudden boom of running that has created a desire and awareness for runners to take an active part in the Road Racing League, a league that is growing from strength to strength with more teams from Gibraltar and Spain participating.

After a long spell without competing as a team in the Gibraltar Road Racing League Richard Blagg together with Edgar Harper decided to once again call upon the Calpeans AC past members to try to revive the team to its former glory.

It took two road racing leagues for Calpeans to win the 2018-2019 and King of the Roads titles making it a grand total of 30 successful titles for Calpeans.

To celebrate the 65th anniversary and the current success it was only appropriate to organise a dinner in celebration of such a milestone in the history of Calpeans.

In the presence of Charlie Flower the Anniversary Dinner held at Sunborn Hotel was attended by 50 past and present athletes.

It was a memorable event where personal newspaper article/photo scrap books, old team vest and trophies where on display bringing back some lost but not forgotten memories, a further photo slide presentation depicting 65 years of the team’s history was also shown to a very attentive and delighted audience.

It was a very special occasion for the Calpeans family with the past athletes sharing their treasured memories with the new generation.

Although a proud moment for the team it was also a sad occasion as we remembered those who, although not forgotten are sadly no longer with us.

The dinner was a true testament to Calpeans’s performances and accolades over the many years of Gibraltar athletics, a dinner that will be cherished by many for years to come.

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