SEASON’S GREETINGS TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND FOLLOWERS
THE SAYING, PEACE ON EARTH AND GOODWILL TO ALL MEN, HAS NEVER BEEN MORE PERTINENTAND YET SEEMINGLY SO FAR AWAY
Marilyn Taylor’s painting of a snowy scene at Christmas in Greece
As is now our custom the first event in the 2026 calendar will be the Virtual 5 kilometres. Clockings should be with me by midnight [UK time], Saturday, January 31st, 2026. Over the past few years you have all been brilliant, sending anecdotes and photos to add interest to the overall result. Please continue the tradition. Can anyone match the story-telling talents of Steven Wilde?
Do you recall his witty story from last year?
Virtual 5k Time 38’14”, Bolton Road (A6), Chorley on Saturday 25th January, 2025
Weather:- cool but sunny
This was an undulating out and back route, which occasioned me to pass the Yarrow Bridge public house twice, which proved to be problematic.
On the first approach to the pub it became obvious that a large number of young adults were in attendance at, as I was later to discover, a 21st birthday party.
Many of the attendees had spilled outside into the beer garden and to use the parlance of our time, things were ‘kicking off’.
At this juncture I was subjected to a degree of verbal abuse as I walked past the pub, with no shortage of industrial language and rude words of Anglo-Saxon origin, enough to give swearing a bad name.
Some twenty minutes later, on the return leg, the fracas, or melee, had escalated, with party food now being hurled, or chucked, every which way, as I became an easy target in the crossfire.
Walking the gauntlet, I was struck with chicken legs(extra tasty), whist pies, vol-au-vents and sausage rolls, as well as a range of vegetarian options.
A dollop of jelly and custard was aimed with precision into my left ear-hole , which temporarily rendered me a trifle deaf.
Understandably, this experience knocked me off my stride, and I suspect my finishing time might have been quicker had I not received such a buffeting.
With kind regards and much poetic licence
Steven- none the worse for wear after the New Year culinary assault
Our Xmas race honours annually the terrific contribution made to our club by Dick Maxwell. However, while researching into our Centurion legacy, I alighted upon the result of the 1977 Bristol 100 miles event, which featured another Maxwell, namely Bill. Such a delightful character he was a product of the Leyland tradition, which deserves more attention in a future post. See the Bristol result below and note, of course, that Eric Crompton is another proud Leyland lad.
Correction from Jonathan Hobbs, gratefully received, as I am misinterpreting the Bristol result below. I blame the village red. Bill Maxwell had actually qualified as a Centurion in 1973, hence the Centurion number 509 after his name. This means that both Vic Murray and Dave Breen were becoming Centurions on that day – C612 and C617 respectively.
Bill Cowley racing with a smile on his faceAtmospheric photo of Eric leading this trio in the Manchester-Blackpool
Added note from Steven Wilde, for which much thanks.
The ‘atmospheric’ photograph of Eric Crompton looked familiar to me as a Chorleian, and for what it’s worth, I am able to identify the precise location. The 3 walkers are passing the main entrance to Astley Park, in Park Road, Chorley. The dominant buildings on the left, now demolished, include the Odeon Cinema and Royal Oak Hotel. The cyclist behind the walkers has just passed a building which was the birthplace of Sir Henry Tate who did well for himself in the sugar trade (Tate & Lyle) before establishing art galleries. There is now a Wetherspoons pub in the town named after him.
Dave Evans reports:
Not even the likely presence of driving rain and blustery winds prevented the Dick Maxwell Christmas walk from going ahead so 9 brave souls toed the starting line ready to face the elements. Injury and holiday commitments reduced the field somewhat.
Roy clearly pleased and on form
Roy Gunnett continues in very good form but it was the following entourage that made the other places more unpredictable particularly with Dan Maskell joining us from Brighton.
Great to see Dan up north
At halfway in the 10k Roy was on course for a potential 70 minutes or less with Steve Wilde less than 100 metres in arrear. 46 seconds covered places 3 to 7 at the 5k turnaround so anything could happen.
Joe looking a trifle astonished
Steve, Pat and Andrea concluded their race at this point leaving Dan, Glyn, Greg and Joe to complete the second part of the challenge.
Steven with his heroes
Dan has recovered his form leading in Roy’s pursuers with an almost perfect split over the 10k distance. Phil McCullagh almost did the same while Glyn walked well giving years to his fellow walkers.
Phil chuffed with the first Xmas card of the year
SCRATCH 10 Kilometres
Roy Gunnett 71:35(35:02/36:33)
Dan Maskell 74:00(36:59/37:01)
Phil McCullagh 74:11(36:59/37:12)
Glyn Jones 75:23(37:14/38:09)
Joe Hardy 75:56(38:25/37:31)
Greg Smith 78:12(37:39/40:33)
SCRATCH 5 Kilometres
Steven Wilde 35:29
Pat Evans 37:45
Andrea Lennon 45:38
Glyn continuing to defy his age
HANDICAP 10 Kilometres
Dan Maskell 60:20
Roy Gunnett 65:00
Phil McCullagh 65:51
Glyn Jones 66:03
Joe Hardy 66:11
Greg Smith 68:42
AGE-GRADED
Glyn Jones 82.83%
Joe Hardy 80.84%
Roy Gunnett 80.35%
Andrea Lennon 79.77%
Pat Evans 79.51%
Dan Maskell 77.73%
Steven Wilde 71.49%
Greg Smith 68.44%
Phil McCullagh 67.72%
The opening highlight of the Christmas meeting was the awarding of Life Membership to Bill Cowley, Centurion number 319, now 93 years of age, who achieved this great feat in 1961. He is still mobile and we understand he is currently the second lowest centurion number holder . To make his appearance today he was brought to Simister by Chris Bolton, Centurion number 332, who is number 4 on the list of surviving centurions.
Wonderful to see Chris and Bill, proud to be Centurions and amongst the oldest still on earth!
Our other special guest was Eric Crompton who has continued to give great service to Lancashire WC and he too was awarded Life Membership. Eric performed at a high level and was probably unlucky not have been awarded an international vest. We will detail the performances of both our new Life Members on the club website in due course.
Eric receives his very well-deserved Life Membership
As well as helping to officiate today we must thank Chris Harvey for his generosity providing six prizes for the race and Chris Bolton for not only helping with recording but also giving every attendee a large gold medal encompassing chocolate and wrapped in a pouch endorsed with the club logo. Many thanks to both for their generous support . Thanks also to Pat Evans for supervising the catering arrangements and Greg Smith for adding to the food pile !
Thanks as ever to Greg for the photos.
THE BRISTOL 100 MILES – 1977
Result sheet of the 1977 Bristol 100 where Bill Maxwell became Centurion 509 . Together with Vic Murray and Dave Breen he made up the LWC team.
Details re the January Virtual 5 kilometres to follow.
Everything is in place for a successful end to our year’s fixtures on Saturday, December 6th in Simister. The village hall will be open from 11.30 a.m. and the race proper will commence at 1.00 p.m. As is usual it would be really helpful to let Dave Evans know if you are able to attend and in what capacity – see dave.evans08@hotmail.co.uk.
The turn in Heaton Park is now around the triangular island with its striking tree
Hopefully in the next month, ahead of Christmas, I’ll post a number of partly historical pieces, which you will find of interest.
1. Ron Wallwork has pulled together all the LWC results achieved in the highly thought of Stretford Track and Field League from 1967-1974. Fascinating.
2. Following on from Tom Bosworth’s revival of the One Mile track walk, we will look back at the history of this ‘Blue Riband’ sprint event and its significance for young, up and coming athletes. There was an Amateur Athletics Association Junior One Mile championships, in which Ron Wallwork finished third in 1959 and was the champion in 1960.
3. We’ll also dig out more results from Xmas races across the years. I tripped over this one from 1968, where I lost out to Dave Vickers in a dip-finish – fifty-six years ago!
Dave Vickers is on the far left with Shaun Lightman [153], Jake Warhurst and George Chaplin [44] in the leading groupAnother glimpse of Dave [19] in the colours of Bolton UH starting in the Parbold Hill race
It is with great pleasure and with his permission that we reproduce this revealing and affectionate article by five-time Olympian, Chris Maddocks about the mad and fabulous legendary Ed Shillabeer.
Chris begins:
I’ve known Edmund Shillabeer for the best part of 50 years. He was a positive influence throughout my 20-year Olympic racing career. I am proud to call him a close friend. Respected by all who know him; people smile and are most likely to use all manner of superlatives when describing him…legend, superman, mad but fabulous. His positive attitude is infectious, his longevity, his consistency, his achievements, ‘Edbanger’ is a doer blessed with innate determination. From dawn to dusk and beyond he spins so many plates.
Sixty years a veterinary surgeon, he finally retired in 2024. Throughout his life he has been a member of many organisations, patron of this, President of that, even a staunch political supporter. A family man with three grown up children, a son and two daughters who, whilst being immensely proud, may sometimes have cringed at their dad’s attire and wonderfully eccentric personality. Proudly British, any opportunity to wear red, white and blue and he will carry it off with a certain panache. He is synonymous for wearing union jack shorts whilst racing and undertaking numerous fundraising challenges. Three years ago, he thought nothing of travelling on his own to London, queue for 11 hours, pay brief respects to our late Queen lying in State, back to Plymouth ready for surgery work in his veterinary practice the next day.
Ed has dedicated much of his life to helping people and animals often with the kind of physical challenges few other people would even contemplate. Taking all necessary precautions, at the height of the COVID pandemic and lock-down, he kept his practice open where others closed. Personal difficulties did not stop him thinking of those less fortunate. In March 2022 Rotary club activities included helping to organise a consignment of essentials delivered to the Devon Rotary hub for onward travel to a major warehouse in Poland from where the distribution to Ukraine was made. He continues to help facilitate mercy missions to the war-torn areas, instrumental in this is Maksym Litvinov, son of the late Ukrainian athletics coach, Nicolai who Edmund had known for decades during his competition travels. Maksym, his wife and teenage son now live with the Shillabeer family in Plymouth and credits Edmund with helping to save their lives. Undeterred, the brave young man has driven back several times to his homeland with donated food and medical supplies.
Ed dressed for the Plymouth marathons
This charitable humanitarian effort is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Edmund’s desire to help others. He’s completed more Plymouth marathons than any other and, at the last count, he has completed 26 London marathons, each time raising funds for worthy causes, often in amusing fancy dress costume. London 1997 was so nearly different. The M5 road traffic accident could’ve been fatal. From their swerving motor-home vehicle Edmund was vigorously jolted out of his rear passenger seat through an open side window and tumbled 100 metres down the motorway. He was rescued and airlifted by helicopter to Bristol infirmary. Miraculously he toed the London marathon start line a few weeks later determined to fulfil a promise to raise funds for the Cats Protection League – Edmund attributes the full bodied black & white catsuit to helping protect serious skin graft wounds to his arm and legs from that years’ scorching sun.
Ed doffs his cap in the 2017 London Marathon
In race walking he is a proud Centurion C590. I have fond memories of being one of his attendants during his 100-mile 1989 national win at Hendon clocking 18 hours 11 minutes. Other regular helpers have included wife Barbara who he met as a Bristol university student and, Richard Pannell and his son Greg. A few years earlier in 1985 the UK national 24-hour track race at Colchester incorporated the 100km championships. Edmund set a track record of 9 hours 41 minutes 50 seconds, a mark that still stands today. With his 250 laps done, I recall him entering a large trackside marque and proceeding to dance to the music being played over the tannoy while Richard and I slumped to our knees exhausted. Edmund notoriously required a lot of attention to get his best ultra-distance results. The 1991 Bazencourt 200km / 24-hour road race saw him become the oldest British athletics debutant at 51 years. Whilst nighttime temperatures plummeted to -7C Ed wanted more sugar added to his porridge. It was around 2am and his preferred race fuel was already sweet. A few kilometres later and at the third time of asking I finally got it right, I was tired and agitated so shovelled an excess of sugar into the bowl of stodgy cereal. It was snatched from my grasp, our man, strode on proclaiming at the top of his voice, ‘Perfect…that’s perfect!” It was disgusting, it was ghastly sweet, but it seemed to help and, after 23 hours 50 minutes, he became one of 13 walkers from 52 starters to reach the 200km distance.
Chris in support of Ed in appalling weather condition, Hendon 1989
Edmund has since climbed on the podium of many European and World Masters race walking events, sometimes the top tier with medals won at numerous distances from 3kms to 30kms. He and his dad, Eric Shillabeer were instrumental in helping to form Dawlish & South Devon racing club in the mid 1970’s which would later evolve into Plymouth City Walkers, their key events being the annual Plymouth to Dawlish 42-mile road race with the extra inducement of a delicious free cream tea at the finish, with Ed tasting victory in 1983. When traffic became potentially hazardous, that popular point – point race switched to the picturesque 5.8km Burrator reservoir circuit up until the late 1990’s, where distances varied from 10kms – 100kms. During the new millennium he joined Ilford AC for the next chapter of his racing life.
Before that…
Q1. Chris: How did it all begin: Ed: “As a City Of Plymouth Athletic Club member, I was competing in as many events as possible to get points. Most efforts were one point for last, but when I came third out of nine in the 3km walk it got me thinking.”
Q2. Chris: Who were the people in race walking that helped you develop as an athlete whilst acknowledging in the mid 1960’s you were a newly qualified veterinary surgeon? Ed: “Jim Hurley RIP saw me win in the next fixture and join me up into the London Vidarians walking club. The club captain none other than that race walking colossus, Dave Ainsworth made sure that we were entered and arrived at start lines in time for the races. My dad ERIC, organiser extraordinaire, was my biggest supporter and motivator. Then, as I moved into veteran athletics, Colin Young RIP who gave me valuable advice.”
Q3. Chris: Had you tried race walking earlier in your sports career what more might you have achieved? Ed: “Speculation is difficult but if my peak had been my late 20s instead of late 40s, I am sure that I could have been operating at a higher level.” Understandably modest. In my opinion…without doubt, an Olympian.
Q4. Chris: Who were your racing rivals through the decades? Ed: “Rivals were legion! In the mid-70s it was briefly Chris Maddocks but he was soon out of sight! In the 80s and 90s, British rivals included: Bob Dobson, Denis Jones, Geoff Tranter, Peter Worth, John Eddershaw, Derek Harrison, Allan Callow, other Manxmen, Colin Bradley, Dave Stevens, Bob Gardner, Bob Care, Martyn Jones, Mike Smith, Daz Thorn, Alan King, Dave Ratcliffe, Dave Rowland, Steve Johnson, Chris Berwick, Adrian James, Martin Bell, Tony Geal, Graham Morris, Paul Nunn, Steve Till, Arthur Eddleston. In international racing, Dieter Zschiesche, Bernard Caudron, Romolo Pelicella, Ad Leermakers, Claudio Sterpin, the Gouveneaux twins (in the same race!) Zdenek Simon, Ferenc Danovsky, Harold van Beek. I’ve graced the start line with Alexander Potashov, Zoltan Czukor, Mrazek, Blazek, and beaten the Mexico Olympics 50km gold medallist, Christoph Hohne.”
Q5. Chris: How did you balance all your various interest and commitments? Ed: “With intensity and high tempo in every activity coupled with a strict routine. Training before breakfast. Sacrosanct hour for family tea, otherwise veterinary practice 9am to 7:30/8:00pm Monday to Friday, Saturday 9:00-1:00pm except when a locum covered it for race days etc. Sunday morning a longer training before a roast dinner and family time.”
Q6. Chris: What top 5 race results gave you the most satisfaction?
Ed: “In no particular order:
1. National 35km 1986. 7th in a class field in 2:58:04 and Dawlish and South Devon RWC (with a certain Chris Maddocks leading the way!) won bronze for third club to close in four with teammates, Andy Bainborough and Gareth Davies excelling themselves as well.
2. European Masters 30km champion (20k in 2:22:22) in Portugal, beating the German Mexico Olympics 50km champion Christoph Hohne.
5. Roubaix 28 hours’ bronze (furthest distance of any British athlete ever).
6. GB 100km track record aided by Chris! Six? Edmund can’t count!
Q7. Chris: How have you overcome some significant health problems? Ed: “Positive mental attitude aided by leaning on the Lord; superb skills of the NHS medical teams; comprehensive supplementation, unstinting support of family, friends, and Mary, my Practice nurse/manager.”
Q8. Chris: What were your peak years and how did a typical training week pan out? Ed: “Definitely the mid-eighties. All walking training was maximum intensity Monday through Saturday. Sunday varied; when Steve Hollier joined me, we would do a tough hilly big effort on the moorland lanes, sometimes an easier recovery outing. When Mad Max and I used the tough one-mile Central Park triangle around Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium it was eyeballs out in opposite directions – 5 laps to my 3!! Sneaking an hour off before teatime to use the local gym or have a second session blast was the icing on the cake! The Sacramento success (6th in 5km track, 3rd in 10km, 1st in 20km) owe a lot to the extra sharpness of daily track workouts, a 15-minute walk from son, Andrew’s home with about an hour of 400m flat out, 200m at recovery pace, straight into the next rep. Happy days!”
Q9. Chris: Tell us your 3 favourite music choices? Your 3 favourite TV and 3 best film choices? Ed: “Music: Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe’s ‘Barcelona’ duet with the fountains and lights show on Montjuic hill in 1992. Andrea Bocelli ‘Con te Partira’ at the Birmingham NEC; and ‘Elizabethan Serenade attributed to King Henry VIII. TV favourites: Fawlty Towers. Morecambe and Wise. Strictly Come Dancing, when Bruce Forsyth compered it. Film favourites: Lawrence of Arabia. The Ladykillers. Dunkirk.
Q10. Chris: Tell readers something most people won’t know about you. Ed: “I’ve become a sweet wine drinker with specific likes: Blandy’s Madeira.Hungarian Tokaji (a name given to one of my past lurches) Cyprus Commandaria. Italian Occho di Perenice. Hungarian Feher Arany. Ice crystal, Mundana, Murdei. I also keep the ashes of only ‘the special one,’ Tippy the Jack Russell, of the many pets who have been close to my heart, in a wooden casket in my study.”
That’s two things; confirmation Ed can’t count.I can testify however, that Tippy had amazing football skills as seen on the pitch by thousands at half-time during an Argyle league match. Now, at 86 years young, Edbanger Shillabeer recently competed in Madeira at the European masters. It seems wearing red, white and blue is still in his plans.
Ed and another legend, Nat Lofthouse, 2023 Masters, Bolton
CHRIS MADDOCKS
Chris back in 1984, the year he set a British 50km track record
STOP PRESS – POST-SCRIPT
News from Dave Ainsworth that Ilford AC and Centurion 590 Ed Shillabeer’s operation went well .
This is confirmed by this message from the great man himself – sent yesterday evening, November 26th!!!
Subject: Procedure
Recovery with nice supper.
New aortic valve inserted between 1pm and 2:15pm.
Great cardiac team did an amazing job with modern technology. DV home tomorrow.
Stella is the last of many who have tended to me. She’s Greek from Cyprus and hubby also works here in Wellington hospital. Next to Lords cricket ground!
All looks good!
Best Wishes and huge respect to Ed from all at Lancashire Walking Club.
A Seven Miles in the Hour medal – thanks to Mike Entwistle
Following our latest One Hour track race some of us found ourselves reminiscing about the past significance of the One Hour mark in the history of our sport. This emphasis is captured in the track races held specifically to see what distances competitors could complete within the 60 minutes. In addition young and old newcomers to race walking were challenged to attain their 6 or 7 miles in the hour Race Walking Association medals. These could be earned on the road, hence the plethora of 6 and 7 miles Opens, such as the Leicester Seven, a favourite destination for our members, courtesy of a club charabanc from Manchester. Indeed LWC itself organised an annual 6 miles in the Hour badge race, which I mentioned in an earlier post paying tribute to Frank O’Neill, the meticulous club secretary of that era.
By the early 1960’s Frank was undoubtedly a key figure, particularly as his wonderful Edwardian terraced house in Worsley was a second club headquarters, the enormous bay-windowed front room on the third floor being our changing facility. Every year the club’s 6 miles in the Hour Badge event was held from the house on an out and back course, followed by tea and luscious scones baked by Mary, Frank’s gentle wife. More significantly, especially across the winter, a Tuesday evening training session was held in the dark[!] on the very same roads. Today the halfway point on the way there and back is a frantic roundabout access to and exit from a spaghetti junction of motorways. Nowadays you could be stuck there for longer than it took to complete the 6 miles race!
In addition the club organised in the late 1960s a Six Miles Novice race to attract new blood – see this 1968 result. Dave Vickers, a steeplechase and cross-country runner burst on to the scene, winning the classic Dick Hudson’s Open at Bradford in the very next year. Tony Malone in 13th place was to become a Junior International and a leading British walker through into the 1980s. And I love the thought of the Leyland Congregationalists taking the Youth Club trophy.
More recently, in this century, our fixture list has featured the One Hour ‘Joe Lambert’ event on the Bury track. Here we see the start of this year’s race.
On the broader and historical front, the One Hour track challenge is synonymous with the Highgate Harriers, who organised the very first in 1942 in aid of the Red Cross. In 1945 the beneficiary became the blind veterans’ charity, St Dunstans. From the outset of the series competitors were split into sections according to their likely performances. As you can see the first race witnessed an A and a B section. When I raced in 1963 at the age of sixteen I was placed in the D section, where the principal challenge was to cover 6 miles in the hour
85 started in the two sections A and B, 80 finished
Over the years it was less than easy to compete in the Highgate Hour race, given the long journey, the expense and its proximity to other major races, such as the aforementioned Leicester 7. However here is a list in alphabetical order of those, who ventured forth and South with a report from 1961.
Chris Bolton 11,566 metres 1972
Gordon Brown 9,900 metres, 1969 and 9,690 metres, 1970
John Burns 5 miles 1715 yards, 1958 representing Leyland Motors AC
Eric Crompton 12,531 metres, 1973 and 12,356 metres, 1974 representing Leyland Motors AC
Steve Crow 11,869 metres, 1969
Tom Dunn 6m 104y, 1959
Guy Goodair 7m 825y, 1964 in Wakefield colours
Harold Harwood 7m 535y, 1951
Roy Higgins 11,315 metres, 1971
Julian Hopkins 12,206 metres, 1969
George Lamb 10,510 metres, 1974 representing Leyland Motors AC
Charles Lamb 10,310 metres, 1974 representing Leyland Motors AC
Vic Murray 6m 038y, 1954 and 6m 1159y, 1955
Fred Pearce Jnr 10,475 metres, 1972
Jack Sankey 7m 385y, 1961
Dick Smith 7m 076y, 1954
Greg Smith 6m 1747y, 1968
Tony Taylor 6m133y, 1963
Ron Wallwork 7m 1297y, 1961
Steve Uttley 12,039 metres 1980
In addition Ron Wallwork, Ian Garmston and Steve Uttley competed in the Hour event when it was taken over by the Woodford AC in the early 1980s – Ron 11,922 metres, 1983 and 11,262 metres. 1985; Ian 11,515, 1985; and Steve 12,376 1985.
All competitors received a certificate as shown in Guy Goodair’s case
Sadly the historic Highgate tradition came to a close in 1989. The One Hour meeting was organised by Highgate Harriers until 1981.Thereafter it was advertised in Race Walking Record as under Woodford Green’s wing. However perusing Records it looks to have struggled or gone out of fashion during the 80s with Highgate promoting the 1988 edition, the Essex League doing so in 1989 and Loughton AC in 1990. Ron can find no record of the event in the 1990’s. He seems to recall that Cambridge Harriers possibly under the banner of the Southern RWA promoted a couple in the 2000’s but no results have been found. Ron opines that the Record in the early 2000’s was more glossy, if and when it came out, than informative.
Lancashire Best Performances
a] All of the following have been members of the Lancashire Walking Club. Because of the internal trials and tribulations of the 1970s, which split LWC for a short time, some performances were achieved wearing the colours of other local clubs e.g. Tony Taylor [Blackburn Harriers], Tony Malone [Stockport AC], Eric Crompton [Leyland Motors AC]. Missing at the moment is a 13km + performance by Chris Harvey from 1980 in Bourgos, France, for which we are still searching. As it is, thanks to Tony Malone, we’ve unearthed a 1978 Stretford performance of 13,185 metres – see below.
b] It would be revealing to identify the age of each of the athletes as an alternative means of comparison and we’ll pursue that further. Some dates of birth might be difficult to trace. As a personal example I was just twenty seven years old when I broke the 13,000 metres barrier. Forty two years later at the celebration of Ron Wallwork’s 2 Hours UK record, aged sixty nine, we can estimate I covered around 10,350 metres. How do these efforts stack up against one another? Enter the age-grading formula – for another day!
c] Obviously I have converted for ease the imperial distances to the metric equivalent. I should now do it the other way round. Indeed converting the kilometres and metres to miles and yards gives the data a historical context, especially as managing 6, 7 or 8 miles in the hour were the yardsticks of progress and achievement. Ron’s 1965 Leeds performance converted below was measured at 8 miles 240 yards. Two years later at Leverhulme Park, Bolton he recorded 8 miles 235 yards!
The very same year 1967 sees Ron in Bolton on his way to winning the National Ten, flanked by Eric Taylor to the left, Paul Nihill and Mal Tolley to the right
Chris Harvey 13,185 metres, Stretford 1978
Ron Wallwork 13,093 metres, Leeds 1965
Tony Taylor 13,060 metres, Marly, France 1974
Tony Malone 12,799 metres, Stretford 1979
Eric Crompton 12,531 metres, Highgate 1973
Steve Uttley 12,376 metres, Woodford 1985
Julian Hopkins 12,206 metres, Highgate 1969
Mike Hatton 12,189 metres, Blackburn 1968
Guy Goodair 12,121 metres, Bolton 1967
Steve Crow 11,869 metres, Highgate 1969
Harold Harwood 11,754 metres, Highgate 1951
Jack Sankey 11,617 metres, Highgate 1961
Chris Bolton 11,566 metres, Highgate 1972
Ian Garmston 11,515 metres, Woodford 1985
Dave Vickers 11,466 metres, Blackburn 1968
Mike Entwistle 11,381 metres, Blackburn 1968
Maurice Ireland 11,349 metres, Stretford 1979
Dick Smith 11,334 metres, Highgate 1954
Roy Higgins 11,315 metres, Highgate 1971
Greg Smith 11,253 metres, Highgate 1968
John Todd 11,174 metres, Bolton 1967
Ian McVitie 11,053 metres, Stretford 1979
Ron Marsden 10,950 metres, Sretford 1979
Fred Pearce jnr 10,803 metres, Bolton 1967
Roy Gunnett 10,775 metres, Ilford 1974
Alan Hardman 10,730 metres, Bolton 1967
Alan Hudson 10,715 metres, Blackburn 1968
Vic Murray 10,715 metres, Highgate 1955
George Lamb 10,510 metres, Highgate 1974
Adrian Edwards 10,344 metres, Bury 2017
Charles Lamb 10,310 metres, Highgate 1974
Dave Grindley 10,159 metres, Bolton 1967
Gordon Brown 9,900 metres, Highgate 1969
Frank Dolan 9,768 metres, Blackburn 1968
Tom Dunn 9,744 metres, Highgate 1959
Tony Bell 9,618 metres, Bury 2016
Peter Crahan 9,235 metres, Bury 2016
Dave Crompton 9,127 metres, Bury 2017
John Crahan 9,101 metres, Bury 2016
Roy Gunnett 9,040 metres, Bury 2016
Nigel Shaw 9,033 metres, Bury 2024
Joe Hardy 8,836 metres, Bury 2017
Ian Hilditch 8,686 metres, Bury 2017
Martin Payne 8,676 metres, Bury 2025
Sailash Shah 8,663 metres, Bury 2016
Jan McCue [W] 8,446 metres, Bury 2017
Alf Short 8,301 metres, Bury 2016
Phil McCullagh 8,271 metres, Bury 2016
Steven Wilde 8,172 metres, Bury 2024
Pat Evans [W] 8,155 metres, Bury 2021
John Payn 7,803 metres, Bury 2016
Andrea Lennon [W] 7,621 metres, Bury 2017
Jane Pouncy [W] 7,200 metres, Bury 2017
John Pouncy 7,114 metres, Bury 2016
Steve Uttley displaying the classic triangle of yesteryear in the 2021 One Hour race
A 1967 One Hour anecdote from my dad, Alf Taylor, which appeared in the club magazine, ‘CONTACT’.
Alf Taylor competing in the Leigh Harriers One Mile Championships with the St John’s Ambulance on hand
Thanks are due to Ron Wallwork for much of the delving. There are likely to be mistakes and omissions, notice of which will be very much welcomed – send to tonymtaylor@gmail.com
Apologies for the strange formatting error in some of the paragraphs.
Greg Smith offers this summary of the proceedings [as well as the photos]. The minutes will be distributed to members in due course.
Our posse of dedicated official plus Roy Gunnett. our secretary, seemingly excited, concerned and somewhat bemused!
The 118th year of Lancashire Walking Club was marked by an Annual General Meeting following the traditional but shorter than expected 5 kilometres race from Simister into Heaton Park and back. It began with members standing for a minute’s silence in memory of Eric Horwill, a long-standing supporter of the Club’s racing activities and recognised widely as a race walking legend.
Irene Pike seeking advice from the official extraordinaire, Eric Horwill RIP
Chairman Dave Evan expertly guided us through the meeting’s agenda, beginning with his report of the competition highlights of the year. President Chris Harvey told us about his efforts to attract new members and encouraged everyone to think about how to raise the Club’s profile.
The club ‘business’ card created by our President, Chris Harvey
Treasurer and General Secretary Roy Gunnett informed us that while the Club’s finances were in good shape, it would be necessary to raise the annual subscriptions because the cost of each England Athletics racing license had gone up. Club subscriptions would increase to £30 a year (with reductions for second claim members). Roy also reported that England Athletics were asking all clubs to modernize and standardize their procedures. In that connection Greg Smith became the Club’s Welfare Officer this year. Roy was working on further changes to the Club’s constitution and procedures, to be ready for the registration period next year
Roy Gunnett, as well as the club’s finances, in good shape
The annual awards results were keenly awaited. Under a revised scheme—counting the points from walkers’ best five handicap performances—Steve Wilde won the overall prize and cup. He was followed by Nigel Shaw, Phil McCullagh and Tony Bell. Three athletes (Pat Evans, Roy Gunnett and Joe Hardy) tied for the fifth prize! The A. J. Taylor award went to Roy Gunnett for his 5k time in the Fred Pearce Relay while the Cliff Royle Silver Salver was won by Martin Payne for his second place in the Eindhoven 50k.
To be honest, Steve Wilde looks bewildered on taking the overall Season’s Handicap prizeRoy Gunnett walks away with the AJ Taylor Award for the best performance of the yearMartin Payne receives the Cliff Royle salver
The meeting agreed that all the Club officers for the current year would act in those capacities for the following year.
Chairman: Dave Evans
Treasurer: Roy Gunnett
Racing Secretary and General Secretary: Roy Gunnett
Trophies Officer: Roy Gunnett
Auditor: Ian Hilditch
Handicapper: Dave Evans
AGM Secretary: Greg Smith
Club Captain: Ian Hilditch
Chris Bolton C332 is presented with his Life Member’s Certificate by Club President, Chris Harvey
Finally, Chris Bolton was appointed a Lifetime Member of Lancashire Walking Club. Chris began walking for the Club in 1958 and became a Centurion in 1961 as C332. Thanking the members for his award and certificate, Chris noted that his first annual subscription to LWC was 10 shillings and sixpence – 52½ pence in present-day currency!
67 years ago, a young handsome Chris with Frank O’Neill
With the Atlantic storm still a way off, the weather is working in fits and starts . Most club members journeyed to the course in drizzle and rain and the less unfortunate met with traffic problems as at least one vehicle was involved in a motorway crash less than 2 miles away from Simister.
What did we do before the smart watch?
We had 13 walkers and from the start it was clear that Tony Bell would be the target with Martin Payne on his heels for at least the outgoing section to the Heaton Park turnaround.
Braving the elements Tony Bell breaking away
Unbeknown to the race organiser Manchester Council decided to build a swimming pool on the final section of the roadway in Heaton Park with a large pond of water at least calf height. Because of this Adrian Edwards, who kindly policed the park section , directed the walkers to about turn before they took the plunge.
Given none of our lot can walk on water and in the interests of health and safety, Adrian Edwards mans the premature turnHaving escaped an early bath, courtesy of Adrian’s intervention, Glyn Jones turns for home
The actual distance was nearer 4.7 kilometres hence the slightly faster final times. My thanks to Chris Bolton, centurion number 332 , Alex Rowe and Irene Pike for doing the administration work at the start and finish.
Chris Bolton, Irene Pike and Dave Evans officiate with one notable absentee, the dear, departed Eric Horwill
Good to see Sailash Shah back in the mix after losing 12 months with an injury which now seems to have been sorted.
Sailash Shah visibly back racing.
As a tribute to Eric Horwill, our Life member, who very sadly passed away in early October, the club members stood for one minute’s silence at the start of the post race meeting. Our races will never be quite the same.
The wonderful Eric Horwill a year ago, watch and pen in hand, prepared for anything.
SCRATCH 1. Tony Bell. 30:29 2. Martin Payne 31:39 3. Roy Gunnett 33:47 4. Steven Wilde 33:54 5. Phil McCullagh 34:39 6. Glyn Jones 35:08 7. Greg Smith 35:13 8. Sailash Shah 35:19 9. Joe Hardy 36:04 10. Pat Evans 36:21 11. Ian Hilditch 39:37 12. A N Other 41:39 13.Andrea Lennon 43:12
Joe Hardy finishing powerfully
HANDICAP 1. Andrea Lennon 26:57 2. Steven Wilde 27:09 3. Martin Payne 27:54 4. Phil McCullagh 27:54 5. Ian Hilditch 28:07 6. A N Other 28:24 7. Sailash Shah 28:34 8. Pat Evans 28:51 9. Glyn Jones 28 53 10. Tony Bell 29:09 11. Greg Smith 29:18 12. Roy Gunnett 29:22 13. Joe Hardy 29:44
Andrea Lennon in pink takes the handicap
As ever thanks to Greg Smith for the photos, of which there will be more in the AGM meeting summary.
Find below notice of the RWA AGM and a Strategy Document 2026-2030. The Strategy document certainly needs discussion but I’ve not had time to offer some comments. Hopefully in the next few weeks I can do so. Whatever it would be excellent if any of our readers have something to say. On looking more carefully I see there is a Zoom meeting to look at the Strategy. I may try to attend from across the Mediterranean and will report back. See the link at the end of this rushed post.
There will be an informal open meeting for discussion / questions & answers where we will aim to outline the thinking behind the changes and answer any questions that anyone has. This again will be staged on Zoom on Thursday 30th October 2025 at 7pm.
Notice from our Chairman, Dave Evans and Greg Smith, our Secretary to members re the forthcoming AGM plus accompanying reports and schedules – for the interest of our supporters and followers too
Pre-AGM photo from 1950!
20th October 2025
Dear member,
On behalf of the Lancashire Walking Club, I would like to invite you to attend this year’s AGM, the 118th, to be held on Saturday 1st November 2025 at Lady Wilton Hall, Simister Lane, Simister, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2RX.
The AGM will be held after a 5km Race which starts at 1.00pm.
Please do make every effort to attend. The election of officers and decisions to be made for the future success of Lancashire Walking Club depends on your valued contribution. If you are unable to attend, please let me know so that your apologies for absence can be noted.
Chris in action at Longford Park, Stretford – National 10 miles champion 1979
First and foremost, I’d like to thank all the walkers and officials who turn up to keep the Club going without everyone we wouldn’t exist. It’s been a difficult year in many aspects with costs with travel and it’s never easy getting to races. Having lost members and others struggling with illness including myself and quite a few lost forever.
We have a glorious history. The club has been around for a long time, and I want it to continue for a lot more years. I’ve asked myself, how we can encourage existing members and have been searching for ways to increase the club membership? We always need officials and helpers to keep the club going and they are an integral part of the Club along with the walkers, they go hand in hand to keep the Club going. We’ve had printed some Lancashire Walking Club cards to give out to existing members and prospective new competitors. We need to get the word out about who we are and what we do. I’ve been contacted existing members and previous members who we’ve not seen for a while to see what they’re up to. We need good turnouts with officials and competitors. If we only get two or three new members, it’s a win. It’s always difficult especially when some people have never heard of Race Walking or ever dreamed of walking competitively. Especially runners who don’t know we exist or what it’s all about.
Some possible changes for the website to attract interest is an idea to look at. We’re planning on putting on a track race at Bury next year following Tom Bosworth’s initiatives encouraging youngsters and new competitors. So, it’ll be maybe a 2 and 1 kms races in different age groups and some running races which local clubs maybe interested in. As I know from experience these are not easy races to manage. As novices, you have to allow them some leeway while also maintaining the rules of race walking. The senior race might be a handicap, a relay or a NARWA championship. I think we need to look at some new venues but it’s extremely difficult to find a course traffic free with changing facilities. If you any suggestions, please contact me. I’ve enjoyed being president and I’m always available–my email and phone number is on the cards we’ve handed out.
Meantime, keep pushing on and get the word out. Let’s see what the new year brings.
Chris Harvey
Thanks to Dave, Greg, Chris and Roy for the information. The financial report will be presented at the AGM.
Unfortunately, because of issues with my eyes and flying, I must send my personal apologies for being unable to attend the proceedings. Rest assured I will do my best to keep this club website alive, well and interesting. Best wishes to all.
Over the weekend Glyn Jones, the Chair of the Race Walking Association has shared this deeply sad news, which will reverberate across the race walking world.
Dear colleagues,
It is with heartfelt sadness that I have to announce that Eric Horwill after long illness passed away peacefully at his home in the early hours of Saturday morning, 11th October 2025. Eric was Past President of the RWA, a member and coach to Dudley and Stourbridge Harriers, a past member of the Midland Race Walking Association Committee and a distinguished member of the Centurions. In the past, Eric was ever present at race walking fixtures in an official capacity or present to support the youngsters he was coaching at his club. Eric was also a member of Lancashire Walking Club, whom he supported in an official capacity over the past years in many of their fixtures. I have spoken with Eric’s wife Pam today and I am sure you all join with me in sending our sincere condolences to Pam and his daughter Catherine at this very sad time. When I have details of funeral arrangements I will circulate them and should anyone wish to send their condolences I will pass on details of the home address. A very sad time. Eric Horwill R.I.P.
Eric with Irene Pike keeps an eagle eye out as the leaders come into view
As Glyn notes, in recent years Eric was an almost ever present at LWC club races, bringing his vast experience and knowledge to bear on our efforts. Indeed Dave Evans, our club chair and Pat Evans sent the following message to Eric a few days before his death, which heartwarmingly Pam Horwill was able to read to him.
Eric presenting Christine Pearce with a bouquet of flowers in memory of Fred Pearce
Over the next few weeks we will endeavour to fill out the narrative of how much Eric achieved through the decades of his devotion to race walking. In this context we would welcome thoughts, anecdotes and images pertaining to Eric’s career. Send these to Tony at tonymtaylor@gmail.com.
As a taster, find below information and a photo provided by Dave Ainsworth.
Eric qualified as Centurion 390 in the 1966 Leicester-to-Skegness point-to-point race clocking 21:51.09 for 16th position from 47 finishers, as 84 had started. Hosts Leicester triumphed in the team stakes from 6 teams who closed in. His outstanding 2nd completion was at the 1997 Ware Track 24 Hours in Hertfordshire when he covered 165.8 kilometres to finish 7th (from 14 finishers/23 starters) passing 100 miles in 23:17.07 in an event Sandra Brown triumphed over all. It was our longest span between successful UK 100 miles attempts – and earned him an GB International appearance in the Roubaix 28 Hours, becoming the oldest UK athlete to make an international debut. Eric’s low Centurion badge number saw him Chair a number of Centurions AGMs, at which he excelled, this being a tradition that the most senior Centurion performs this AGM task. Eric was 92
A trio of Centurion notables who’ve made great contributions of race walking – taken at an Isle of Man 24 Hours race presentation. L-to-R Eric Horwill RIP C390, Ed Shillabeer C590 & John Eddershaw C299. Photo : Chris Maddocks
Lancashire Walking Club : Health The First Wealth 