123 years ago today, the Brotherhood of Centurions was founded by J.E. Fowler-Dixon and several other new amateur race walkers. The only membership requirement: walking 100 miles (160 km and 934 m), as an amateur, in 24 hours.
Centurion events first mainly focused on the London to Brighton and back races, hosted by Surrey Walking Club. Today most of the annual Centurion races are held on laps of 400 m to 4 km and locations include Middlesbrough, Castletown (IOM), Redcar, Colchester and of course Gloucester. There are now 1218 Centurions (Arjan Bogerd of the Netherlands becoming Centurion 1220 last year).
On 24-25 August of this year, the next opportunity to earn the most exclusive title in (race) walking will be the Severn Valley Events 24 hours track race in Gloucester.
Forever remembered a determined Dave under the watchful eye of the much-missed fred Pearce
It’s a special day on our calendar, come the 11th of this month. We’ll be remembering with great affection Dave Crompton as we contest over 7 miles the trophy honouring his name. As usual, it will be very helpful if you could let Dave Evans at dave.evans08@hotmail.co.uk know if you are able to attend and in what capacity. The event will start at 1.00 p.m. The venue will be the St Peter’s Church Hall, Harpers Lane, PR6 0HP. Eric will have the hall open by noon and Louise hopes to be in attendance.
Len Ruddock interviews Ron in this fascinating and revealing video.
Early comments from club membersand fellow travellers
Tony Malone – I thought it was great to watch. Brought back many memories for me also. Ron you were a great influence in my early days of race walking. Len we go back a long way. We done to both of you for doing this.
Mick Entwistle – Nostalgia at its best – remember lots of info from 66 onwards. Like Tony trained with Ron, happy days.
Dave Ainsworth – A talented athlete met a talented film maker. Great viewing and will be watched again!
Helen Middleton – What a lovely interview. I was so lucky to be an Enfield racewalker and be in team Ron Wallwork xxx
Trevor McDermot – That was a terrific watch. Great recall of a golden period and his part in it by Ron, and well stitched together by Len Ruddock. Top job gents ! 🙂
Tony Taylor – Great stuff, Ron and Len. Proud and privileged to be one of Ron’s training partners back in the day.. i’ll post the video on the LWC website
Thanks to Ron Wallwork for retrieving these 1960s newsletters. Apologies for the reproduction of the same. I’m having a few problems with the computer.
Chris Bolton looking immaculate at Nijmegen. Standards have dropped!
With Dave Evans trapped in the Lakes, Roy Gunnett takes charge, competes and reports.
Roy looking perhaps a bit more stressed than usual
As with the clubs last two races, the Macclesfield Shield 10 mile race on Saturday 6th April 2024 was hit by challenging weather. This time it was strong gusty winds, courtesy of Storm Kathleen.
Despite this there was a good turnout of 9 walkers and 4 helpers.
New judge uses time- honoured tactics of hiding round a corner
The usual 5 lap ‘out and back’ course was used for the 10 miler.
From the gun Nigel Shaw took the lead, a lead which he maintained to the end of the race. It was an impressive performance for someone who has only taken up the sport in the last few months. His style is very safe and solid.
Nigel showing good form
Martin Payne, to halfway, followed closely behind Nigel. However, from this point on Nigel gradually extended his lead.
Martin in pursuit
Behind the leading pair was Roy Gunnett, who walked in third place throughout.
Joe leads Steve and Ian on the steady return climb from the Garden Centre turn
The remaining male walkers kept close together, until nearing the end when Phil McCullagh pulled away to come in a clear fourth.
Solid straight leg from Phil
Greg Smith retired after 3 laps (6miles) to take up his role as Club photographer. Many thanks.
Andrea, remarkable and gutsy as ever. Sailash can confirm
When taking account of age and sex Andrea Lennon’s performance was probably the best of the day. She maintained an even pace throughout and put in a really gutsy performance in the harsh conditions.
An overweight rabbit doing little running nowadays fascinated by the drama unfolding outside his abode
As well as winning the scratch race Nigel also won the handicap and was presented with the Macclesfield Shield trophy by Marshall Barnard.
Everyone after the race enjoyed the splendid buffet that Marshall always provides.
As special word of thanks must go to the 4 marshalls, without whom the race would not have been possible.
Eric Horwill was starter and timekeeper, aided by Alf Short, Glyn Jones manned the turnaround point and Sailash Shah marshalled at the crossroads.
Great to see Sailash back with us, posing on the aptly named lane
2. Martin Payne 1.55.19. (22.03,44.55,1.08.27,1.31.56)
3 Roy Gunnett. 2.06.26. (23.50,48.55,1.13.37,1.39.32)
4. Phil McCullagh 2.10.28. (26.40,52.36,1.18.06,1.45.00)
5 Joe Hardy. 2.11.47. (26.19, 52.45,1.19.22,1.45.51)
6. Steven Wilde. 2.11.52 (26.14, 52.44,1.19.16,1.45.45)
7. Ian Hilditch. 2.11.57 (26.18, 52.49, 1.19.24, 1.45.52)
8 Andrea Lennon. 2.33.51 (30.13,1.00.45, 1.31.56,2.03.06)
10k.
Greg Smith. 1.23.48
Handicap Results.
1. Nigel Shaw. 1.51.42
2. Roy Gunnett. 1.54.26
3. Martin Payne. 1.55.19
4. Ian Hilditch. 1.55.27
5. Phil McCullagh. 1.56.28
6 Steven Wilde. 1.57.52
7. Joe Hardy. 2.00.02
8. Andrea Lennon. 2.04.51
IMPORTANT
Adrian Edwards informs us that:
Sailash turned up at the last training session; walked with one hand in his pocket due to the shoulder problem; at least he was back out again. We have a little core of regulars and decided on the next future training date; Sunday 14th April, Woodbank Park, Stockport; 12 till 5 if anyone else wanted to come along.
Our next club race is the Macclesfield Shield 10 miles, which will take place from the Ex-Service Men’s Club in Sutton on Saturday, April 6th, starting at 1.00 p.m. The venue will be open from noon. As usual, it will be really helpful if you could let Dave Evans at dave.evans08@hotmail.co.uk know if you are attending and in what capacity. This will also assist Marshall in terms of the catering.
[Apologies for this brief notice and the lack of posts this month. I’m enduring a less than smooth recovery from surgery, which has knocked me off my stride!!]
As some might know, it was touch and go as to whether I would make the start of the ever-demanding Alison Trophy at Chorley. My flight from Crete was due to touch down at around 11 o’clock. In the event my dash from the overwhelming hordes at Manchester Airport proved successful. This said, in the murky gloom embracing the town I turned up first at the Roman Catholic St. Joseph’s before crossing the road to the Anglican St. Peter’s, where a family and friends attending a drizzly baptism were putting on a brave face.
Running round the back I entered the dimly lit hall of the Community Centre. Within I found only 5 shadowy figures, four garbed for action. My surprise at the sparse turnout was the result of not knowing that there had been last minute discussion about whether the race would take place, Dave Evans being trapped in the Lakes. Whatever the confusion, Martin, John, Phil and Roy were determined to brave the elements. Given I couldn’t race, courtesy of a hernia, my appearance was timely. I took on the timekeeping duties and, together with Eric Crompton of local fame sought to keep everyone on track. Out on the course we were joined in the task by Greg Smith, our by now official photographer, dressed sensibly for the weather. Somewhat normal for the area, it was freezing cold and the rain was unrelenting. Not being acclimatised I was bloody cold!
Martin away and clear
The conditions did not deter our quartet of hardy souls. In the opening stretch before the infamous lap to be covered thrice, Martin and Roy kept close company as did Phil and John. As ever the tough and tortuous climb on the opening section of the challenge took its toll with Martin pulling away from Roy, Phil beginning to drop John. From thence on the four individuals led an isolated existence. It’s a tribute to their fortitude that they ploughed on regardless. Although it must be said we had to coax Phil past a now closed public house where he had supped many a pint in its heyday.
Roy focused and in pursuitPhil drawing away from John
At the finish Martin’s strong performance pulled him well clear, whilst Phil put in a strong third lap to close on Roy. Finishing fourth John was moved to remark that his resilient effort would enter the ranks of his ten worst athletic performances. A harsh judgement, in my opinion.
According to John on his way to one of his worst ever performances. The next day he was doing a parkrun with his grandchildren. Bravo!
Back in the partial warmth of the centre, Eric true to tradition had brewed a large kettle of milky tea with biscuits to hand. To everyone’s delight the winner of the Alison Trophy was Phil McCullagh. Of course this feat was the subject of jocular remarks from our resident wit, John Crahan.
Phil acknowledging the roars of the crowd
In the ensuing post-race conversation we touched on the health of the much-missed Sailash Shah and the great stalwart John Payn. We hope to see Sailash soon and visits to John are in the pipeline. Sadly, Adrian Edwards has advised that the Horwich BMAF 5 kilometres will not be held this year. We explored again whether in the summer we might target a coupe of Park Runs, where we could organise a collective presence.
None the worse for wear after defying the elements
The business concluded, we set forth cheerily into the still surly Chorley air, pleased that we had kept the race-walking spirit alive in what was a heartland of our sport. The richness of this history owes much to the endeavours of the Leyland Motors Athletic Club, the story of which deserves a chapter on our club website in the future.
Alison Trophy 15 Kilometres [RWA Permit 24005/1]
SCRATCH
Martin Payne 1:42: 23
Roy Gunnett 1:54:08
Phil McCullagh 1:56:16
John Crahan 2:02:52
HANDICAP
Phil McCullagh 96:16
Roy Gunnett 97:08
Martin Payne !02:23
John Crahan 104:52
Thanks as ever to Greg Smith for the photos and apologies for the delayed report. I remained freezing in England till this last weekend and upon return I find myself booked in for an unexpected hernia operation!
Adrian Edwards advises: The next Sunday afternoon track session, open to any walkers who want to come along will be on Sunday 17th March at Woodbank Park track, Stockport from 12 noon.
Following our posts on the year 1958, Ron is hard at work piecing together the story of 1959. In the meantime we’ll share with you other material we unearth as it’s dug up! Find below a first club newsletter from July 1965, which was the forerunner of the CONTACT magazine. Reading between the lines you can sense a feeling of frustration that the club was not doing itself justice.
I’ve inserted here Guy Goodair’s amusing reminiscence of that Manchester-Blackpool race
1965
Wakefield had a full team this year and a Wakefield runner, Barry Fletcher looked after us – three weeks later I reciprocated by looking after Barry when he won the Liverpool to Blackpool Road Running race. There was a bunch of five early on but after 15 miles Mick Holliman & I drew away with George Barras & John Hampshire not far behind.
Inseparable – Mick and Guy passing through Horwich
George Barras had an unsettling moment in Chorley when he was almost knocked over by a car coming out of a side street and had to jump on the car’s front fender to avoid being knocked down! Once we’d passed Preston we faced a tremendous headwind which made progress hard work. The difficulties increased after St Annes when drifting sand kept blowing across the road into our eyes as well as sticking to the Vaseline we’d put on our nipples and armpits, acting like sandpaper.
Mick and Guy still together approaching Blackpool with Mick’s attendant in close proximity
Mick & I were still ‘neck & neck’ after the South Pier then Mick looked round for his attendant – the lady on the bike in the photo. Barry, my attendant, immediately screamed at me “Go, Go – you’ve got him!” I tried to increase my pace and managed to open up a 200-yard gap which I held to the finish. Wakefield packed well with George Barras 4th.
The race report in the Daily Telegraph by Peter Keeling referred to me as ‘Goodair, bespectacled and slightly built’. For years afterwards every time Chris Bolton rang me he would enquire if he was speaking to ‘the bespectacled and slightly built Goodair’!
1 G Goodair (Wakefield) 8.29.07 2 M Holliman (Highgate) 8.30.05 3 K Abolins (Royal Sutton Coldfield) 8.43.11 Team Wakefield 17 pts, 44 finished
Whenever I think about Chorley and our Sunday morning strolls [as they used to be called] I remember with fondness being out on the road with Eric Crompton. By chance this photo of the start of the 1975 10 miles championships held in Brighton has just appeared on Facebook. It shows Eric leading out the field with Roger Mills and Bob Dobson in close order. Eric’s 11th position was his best ever placing in a National, illustrating the great shape he was in. Coming through the ranks was a youthful Chris Harvey with Tony Malone in the first fifty. If the rift in our club, which saw the loss of Ron Wallwork, Julian and myself, had not occurred it looks as if we would have been battling for team medals.
Eric LA 155
Hopefully we will see Eric on Saturday, March 2nd when the Alison Trophy 15 kilometres is contested – starting at 1.00 p.m. from the St Peter’s Church Hall, Harpers Lane, PR6 0HP. As is usual it would be really helpful if you could let Dave Evans at dave.evans08@hotmail.co.uk know if you are attending and in what capacity.
Thanks to Dave Ainsworth for another photo of the 1975 National 10 Miles start at Southwick. Image supplied by Alan Buchanan.
A spread of the great and good with Shaun Lightman leading. Can you spot Tony Malone?
This photo is related to Ilford AC winning a first National walking title at Southwick in 1975 over 10 miles with a scoring 4 of Roger Mills 3rd, Steve Gower 9th, Lew Mockett 16th & Geoff Hunwicks 26th. Sadly only Roger, finger on the cork of bubbly, is still with us. Photographer : Mike Street RIP.
Given the sad news this last week, the deaths of three outstanding Centurions it’s good to sound a lighter note. Hazel Fairhurst, who became Centurion 983 wearing the colours of our club in 2002 on the track in Blackpool and who returned successfully to the 100 miles event in Middlesbrough last year, continues to race up and down dale.
Hazel with Tony and Graham
She comments: Pendle Way in a day 45 miles event done. Best result ever too. We’re going on a bear hunt came to mind a lot…. thick oozy mud….. a river, oh no we’ve got to go through it! I did the stepping stones like a ninja and didn’t fall once. Great navigation from my partners in crime Tony and Graham. Lovely support on the route too. Colin Vesty, the Race Walking Association General Secretary, was also competing.
Just as I was going to send this post on its way this message arrived from Dave Ainsworth.
Sadly much talented ex-International Steve Arnold of Nuneaton Harriers has passed on. Always a strong competitor, particularly in 50k races, Steve put much back into race walking with his commitment as a respected coach. He leaves behind many good memories of his time in athletics. Our condolences to his family members. Steve Arnold R.I.P.
Roy Gunnett advises that Steve won at Blackpool in July 2008 the BMAF 50k championships in 5 hrs 4 mins 54 secs. and that in July 2006 he won at Simister the Dick Smith 20k memorial race in 1hrs 52 mind 00 secs.
And here’s a touching and nostalgic video of Steve winning the 100th Bradford 50 kilometres in 2003.
Lancashire Walking Club : Health The First Wealth 