Dave Evans reports:

As if delivering an early Christmas present we managed to field 17 walkers in the AGM 5k bringing together not only the usual nucleus but some friends from afar. Tony Taylor made the long trip from Crete, Dan Maskell risked the train lottery on the Brighton line, whilst Tony Bell and Martin Payne crossed the Pennines. Deciding against a yacht handicap where the cards are already on the table, the handicapper threw caution to the wind and despatched the aspirants en bloc.

With so many walkers on the road there were few spare bodies to tackle the officiating, however, step-forward volunteer Chris Harvey who manned the turnaround point in Heaton Park in commanding style dressed all in orange but confusing those who thought Halloween was yesterday. Eric Horwill is an inspiration to us all and despite having to journey from the wilds of Dudley and Stourbridge he arrived in good time to register the finishing times of all participants.

Ken Connor is still learning the ropes and on this occasion didn’t manage to exhibit the correct walking technique so had to be excluded from the final handicap results. Another newcomer, who has no sporting background, came to Simister to see how it’s done. Nigel Shaw, a young 61, walked with some style and will surprise a few people in the next year or so once he has more racing experience. His final time was excellent given he has no racewalking credentials. The rain held off for the majority of the 5k.

The AGM followed the usual post-race get-together and incorporated the awarding of prizes to the first 7 in the club’s annual handicap competition, the nomination of individuals to key club posts, the presentation of awards to the individuals assessed to have produced the best individual performance of the year and the best long distance performance.

Our club has been in existence since 1907 and across the years it has been appropriate to reward long service and outstanding performance with Life Membership. 2023 has seen the awarding of LM to Eric Horwill and John Payn and to round off the year another name was been added to the roll of honour. Tony Taylor has been a catalyst in keeping the club on its feet and on its toes. He has managed the club website from his home in Crete and created a one-stop shop for racewalking for both the club and external arms of the sport. His skills as an orator and activist are well known and his commitment is second to none. He richly deserves this accolade for his communication skills and a career in the sport from the age of 6!

At the close of the AGM, Eric Horwill paid a touching tribute to the late Noel Blatchford and the meeting as a whole sent its best wishes for a speedy recovery to Steve Uttley following his recent operation.

Race results

1. Ken Connor 27 mins 28
2. Tony Taylor 29 mins 05
3. Adrian Edwards 30 mins 40
4. Tony Bell 31 mins 54
5. Martin Payne 32 mins 05
6. Nigel Shaw 32 mins 06
7. Roy Gunnett 33 mins 02
8. John Crahan 34 mins 47
9. Greg Smith 35 mins 32
10. Sailash Shah 36 mins 15
11. Joe Hardy 36 mins 33
12. Dan Maskell 37 mins 14
13. Pat Evans 37 mins 17
14. Phil McCullagh 38 mins 16
15. Ian Hilditch 38 mins 32
16. Steven Wilde 39 mins 31
17. Andrea Lennon 43 mins 12

Handicap results

1. Roy Gunnett 27 mins 02
2. Tony Taylor 29 mins 05
3. John Crahan 29 mins 17
4. Andrea Lennon 29 mins 27
5. Greg Smith 29 mins 32
6. Adrian Edwards 30 mins 05
7. Sailash Shah 30 mins 15
8. Martin Payne 30 mins 35
9. Joe Hardy 31 mins 08
10. Tony Bell 31 mins 14
11. Dan Maskell 31 mins 14
12. Phil McCullagh 31 mins 31
13. 13 Pat Evans 31 mins 32
14. Steven Wilde 32 mins 31
15. Ian Hilditch 32 mins 47