Roy Gunnett My January virtual 5k time is 35:24.

I set this on a normal route from home, part of which is down Lifeboat Road that leads to the beach.

There used to be a Lifeboat station on the beach  – but it has been washed away by the ever encroaching sea which is eroding  the coastline. It was the oldest lifeboat station in the world  (a fact officially confirmed by the Guiness Book of Records).

Great article you posted about the use of running in training for walking. I have always believed that running is a benefit to race walk training. The Spaniard Alvaro Martin, who won the 20k and 35k at last ‘years’ world championships, apparently does most of his training by running. I think Triathletes have shown how you can mix different disciplines to advantage – rather than detriment. When we were young runners thought that cycling would be harmful.

By the way – I liked your photo of Dave Bedford on route to the 10k world record at Crystal Palace. I was there that night – the crowd was fairly small as it was a Friday night. With about 8 laps to go the crowd was getting very excited as the commentator said over the loudspeaker that if he can keep churning out 67 secs laps the world record would be his.Each time he came round into the home straight the crowd went mad roaring him on.

I, like most, was completely hoarse by the end.!

Nigel Shaw - 5k time 31.23 

First time racing on track and was an exact 5k – found it very bouncy under foot , very different to racing on the road.

Ken Connor – 32:14 I thought I’d send over my only attempt at a quick 5Km walk. January has proved be difficult with back / hip troubles causing some concern.  I play table tennis competitively and have done for best part of 50 years. It seems adding the intense race walking to my training regime  is causing a few niggles and a trip to the physio next hoping will help. Less moaning from me and ack to the virtual, Monday 8th Jan, Weates Close Widnes, 7.45pm bitterly cold, maintained a good rhythm but unable to red line it due to the cold air as I stomped around the block in 32.14. Time to put my feet up, that hurt.

Steven Wilde 38:56 Saturday 20th January 2024, Wigan Lane, Chorley. Just managed to squeeze in this walk through a small window of opportunity, as snow and ice were melting following sub-zero temperatures, but before the battering winds served up by Storm Isha. Roll on Summer. 

Pat Evans – walked the local parkrun 5k  in a very decent 37 mins 19 secs

Tony Bell 32:39 – Saturday 27th January, Millhouses parkrun Sheffield. Time 33.00 357/466, very crowded. It took me 21s to cross the start line so I claim 32.39 for 5km. I caught my wife Shelley (who was running) just after halfway so I had a pacemaker almost all the way from then to the finish!

Greg Smith – On 28 January clocked 34:32 for 5k–six and a half laps of my usual Bury Ground circuit. Late afternoon, starting to get dark so no photos. But at least there was no snow, or ice, or rain–a relatively balmy 9 degrees C! 

Marco Bernatzki – very cold and windy weather. Therefore I can only offer a 35:50 this time. Greetings from Germany

Martin Payne – just back from the track 34:30

Tony Taylor – 17 January 2024 at 17:23 Municipality of Apokoronas, Greece, clocked 29:48 in perfect conditions – lucky bugger! Splits – 6:12; 5:54; 5:58; 5:53; 5:49

January Virtual 5 km SCRATCH

1. Tony Taylor 29:48
2. Nigel Shaw 31:23
3. Ken Connor 32:14
4. Tony Bell 32:39
5. John Crahan 33:36
6. Martin Payne 34:30
7. Greg Smith 34:32
8. Roy Gunnett 35:24
9. Stephen Walker 35:36
10. Marco Bernatzki 35:50
11. Pat Evans 37:19
12. Steven Wilde 38:56

HANDICAP

1. Roy Gunnett 27:44
2. Greg Smith 28:32
3. John Crahan 28:36
4. Stephen Walker 28:46
5. Steven Wilde 28:56
6. Tony Taylor 29:18
7. Tony Bell 29:39
8. Pat Evans 29:44
9. Nigel Shaw 30:03
10. Martin Payne 31:30
11. Marco Bernatzki 32:00
12. Ken Connor 32:14

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Given our club’s proud history in the world of those indomitable souls, the Centurions, it is fitting that we acknowledge and respect the passing in the last few weeks of these three stalwarts.

Centurion 726 Basil Gale died, aged 92, on Saturday 27th January. He was a prominent figure with Trowbridge Athletic Club in their heyday.  Basil became a Centurion in the 1982 Leicester 100 Miles on the Congerstone course, when 77 started/55 finished (including 33 new Centurions) – there was 1 d/q.  Basil’s time was 21:32.32.

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Basil Gale (C726) a true stalwart of Trowbridge A. C. Race Walking particularly at the famous Chippenham to Calne Walks. Great days indeed!  May He Rest in Peace. Sincere condolences. Bill Sutherland (C 890)

.Basil qualified in the same 1982 as I did (and Roger Michell too), the event memorably won by Mick Holmes as I said at the AGM.  I was 33, Basil seems to have been 50 and perhaps this was his way of celebrating that milestone. All best Sandra Brown

Another one I knew well in my racing days, especially under Wally Emery’s guidance of the South West scene. February championships races – Salisbury10 miles – my favourite course. Hey ho … Ed Shillabeer

Very sad news about Basil Gale who has been a generous benefactor to The Centurions for many years.  Chris Flint

Really nice chap and a friend to many.  A fine Club walker.  RIP Basil.  Chris Maddocks

Centurion 838 Bob Watts died, aged 74, on Sunday. 28th January.  For the Centurions he served a period as Archivist and as Editor/Compiler/Printer of the 1997 Handbook. He’d qualified as Centurion 838 at Leicester’s Congerstone course in 1988 clocking 21:50.20 in the colours of London Vidarians when 75 started and 47 finished (19 new Centurions).  Bob’s most famous for completing 25 Roubaix 28 Hours races, for which he received a special presentation from the French Athletics Association. Nearer home he was one of just 6 competitors (all Centurions) to have completed 100 Blackheath 9K yacht handicap races – his final total reaching 110.  Before making a name for himself in race walking he was a Long Distance Walkers’ Association active member.  Bob is a race walkers who has competed sub-24 hours 100 miles races on both roads and tracks. Bob gave a much of his time to The Royal British Legion.  He was aged 74 and unfortunately had suffered a lengthy period of poor health, with a number of hospital admissions.

Very sad news.  Condolences to Ken and the rest of the family.  Fond memories of the ubiquitous and never empty teapot at Roubaix, not to mention the inexhaustible memory of facts and anecdotes about walking.  Cath Duhig .

What very sad news.  I’m sure many of us didn’t think this wouldn’t be the outcome despite many health scares Bob has suffered over the last few years.  Bob was certainly a legend in his lifetime.  Kathy Crilley.

 Bless him.  What a stalwart!  RIP Bob.  Ed Shillabeer. 

Sad news indeed.  A stalwart Centurion.  Sincere condolences to Ken.  Thanks.  Alex Ross C854. 

A loss to Centurions and as a person. Bob gave me advice when qualifying in 1994. The hilly course at Hungarton.  He did the same at Roubaix in 95.  25 Roubaix is tremendous!  The brothers kept records.  At Colchester or Newmarket Bob offered to give me my split times as they were very respectable.  Another stalwart gone too early.  Richard Cole.

Very sad news about Bob.  Bob’s life and Ken’s has not been easy for many years since their Kenro printing presses ceased and their health declined.  He and Ken and I formed the most successful 100 miles team in the ’90s and I owe them a lot.  Chris Flint.

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Bob (C838).  We enjoyed some wonderful times in the late 90’s when he attended our home for Centurions Meetings and we went to his printing shop many times when he produced the wonderful 1997 Centurions Handbook and he was a so familiar face at London Postal region  Blackheath Meets.  He was a true Clubman whose long distance record was truly remarkable.  Centurions and UK Race Walking owes him a great deal of gratitude for a lifetime of selfless service.  Sincere condolences to Ken and his family, in particular his wonderful supportive sister.  May he Rest in Peace.  Bill (C890) and Kath Sutherland.

Ken Livermore C836, died, aged 91, on Sunday, 28th January

It is with great sadness that I write to let you know that I had a phone call from Ken Livermore’s daughter Coral, to let me know that her father passed away on Sunday 28th January aged 91.  Condolences to Margaret, Coral and his three grandchildren.  Ron Wallwork

 He was a great chap – John Eddershaw.

I was very sad to learn of the passing of Ken Livermore (C386).  He was the ultimate clubman and racer (from 3k to 100 miles) … what an example to the younger generation … he adored his sport and regularly raced.  Thankfully some of what he achieved is recorded.  A member of Enfield Harriers he will be missed.  Adrian James 

Very sad news! Ken was a top race walking coach in the early 60’s. I vividly remember him at Eton Manor on the first occasion I went on a coaching weekend with many stars including Olympic Gold Medallist from Rome, Don Thompson and the likes of GB’s Late Robbie Brightwell and the Late John Cooper were there. He will be so missed by the Race Walking Fraternity as he gave so much in so many ways during his lifetime. May He Rest in Peace. Sincere condolences to Margaret, Coral and his Family. Bill and Kath Sutherland

Very sad. Ken was ever-present, part of the racewalking furniture and a proper grafter.  Cath Duhig 

So sorry to hear this sad news.  Ken was such a lovely man and a good racewalker. Condolence to Margaret and all their family.  Kathy Crilley

Sad news indeed.  Condolences to Margaret and all their family.  Bob Dobson

Another one passes away.  Richard Cole

Such sad news and it’s especially sad we’ve lost three Centurions in the last few days, Bob Watts C838, Basil Gale and now Ken C386.  Chris Flint

That completes the trio… Ed Shillabeer

We are very sorry to hear to hear this sad news.  We remember Ken as both athlete and a dedicated official over many years of great service. Sandra and Richard Brown

Sincere condolences to Ken’s family.  The Leicester to Skegness was the one I competed in with Ken.  I fondly recall a conversation with Ken and admired his quiet determination to become a Centurion.  I regret to this day that I never stayed with him to finish the course.  May he rest in peace having finished the course of life and rise in glory.  Roy Lodge  

Thanks to Dave Ainsworth for the information.