With this great event looming in just a few days it is timely to pay tribute to two Centurions with Northern, even Lancashire connections.

Paul Briggs
25th March 1943 – 26th August 2023

I must confess to being shocked to discover that Paul, Yorkshire Race Walking Club coursing through his veins, had died almost two years ago.

Indeed, ironically, I found out through Dave Ainsworth, the editor of Essex Walker, who was seeking to confirm if Paul, one of our sport’s great characters, had in fact passed away. Finding this to be the case and having been in touch with Mazhar Ellahi, the executor of Paul’s will, Dave,C540, penned this obituary.

CENTURION 431 PAUL BRIGGS

Although hailing from the north he made several appearances down south and relished the challenge of a London-to-Brighton walk, in which he had the kudos of being a sub-10 hours finisher. 
Paul qualified in the 1969 Leicester 24 Hours’ track race (won by the late Colin Young).  Paul reached 101 miles 888 yards in 24 hours, passing 100 miles in 22:24.50.  The drama didn’t quite end there as, both C430 Paul Sargent (a former Centurions Hon.Treasurer whose son M.Sargent is C542) & 431 Paul Briggs had been awarded wrong badges, as they’d been allocated in the order names appeared on a final result sheet.  Not until 1997 when the Watts’ brothers researched facts for their 1997 Centurions Handbook was it discovered that although P.Sargent finished ahead of P.Briggs at 24 hours, going back through lap scoring sheets it was realised Mr. Briggs was ahead of Mr.Sargent when passing 100 miles.  In view of time elapsed (1969-to-1997) it was decided each would retain their badges as originally presented.  An fuller explanation of these circumstances and eventual outcome is on Page 74 of The Centurions 1997 Handbook; and also on Page 77 of a 2011 Centurions Handbook.  Paul attended The Centurions AGM when in Leeds. In a 1974 Leicester-to-Skegness 100 miles Paul competed without an attendant – at about 5.15am in the “middle of nowhere” going through Lincolnshire, Hon.Ed. overtook Paul, who was suffering badly in the cold and almost at a stop – even in August it can get cold during night times. Hon.Ed. removed his track suit bottoms and handed them to Paul. He donned them and it helped get warmth back into his legs and got him going again, to finish about half-and-hour behind the garment’s owner!  Race referee Bill Bell RIP had permitted tracksuit bottoms to be worn during the night. His death is a late notification of a lovely man who really loved his race walking with Yorkshire WC. Paul Briggs R.I.P.

Thinking about Paul, I venture our paths first crossed in March 1968 at the Northern Senior 10 miles championship held in the village of Holloway, near Matlock. Both of us were privileged to be on the same road as the legendary Roland Hardy of Sheffield United Harriers in the twilight of his momentous career. He finished second to the rising star, Jake Warhurst. I managed to make the top ten and Paul was 30th.

From thence on, whenever we met, he was the first to inquire about how things were going and always the bearer of encouragement. Later in 1968 at the end of June I began to repay his concern with sponge and drinks in hand as he took on the challenge of the Manchester- Blackpool race. It was the first of the many times I sought to support Paul’s efforts. His style was distinctive as was his wardrobe, his head often adorned with his favourite Legionnaire’s neck guard. In this particular contest he finished just behind our very own Chris Bolton.

He was a gentle soul, the salt of the earth, highly regarded by everyone in the sport from north to south. It was a privilege to have known him and to feel he was a friend.

Chris Bolton – Paul was certainly a lovely man and a stalwart of YWC. I’m sorry I don’t have any photos, only memories.

I was aware of the numbers mix up, I was at the Leicester track walk as a helper.

It is amazing that Paul carried on for twenty four hours after passing 100 miles He must have been knackered since the last one and a half miles took him over one and a half hours. I’m afraid I have no memory of that since I was looking after John Grayson of Wakefield who was also struggling to keep moving.

Guy Goodair – He was a great unsung hero of our sport

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CENTURION 899 IAN GARMSTON

The story of Ian’s departure to ‘pastures new’ is taken once again from the Essex Walker and the pen of Dave Ainsworth. Thanks as ever.

This magical photo shows Ian and Ron Wallwork about to add the Manchester-Blackpool race to their preparations for the 1992 Leicester 100 miles.

Back in 2022 we featured a fascinating account of the build up, Thirty Years Ago this Month – Ron and Ian became proud Centurions, which included this extract.

We identified the official RWA Manchester to Blackpool walk as a useful fifty miler. Aiming for less than 12 hours on our feet. I cannot remember my time. It doesn’t matter. What I do remember is catching sight of Blackpool Tower as a feature the size of my thumb on the horizon. A number of hours later, I was walking along the prom to the finish. Still being careful to keep my leading leg straight, and watching for lurking judges, but certain I was now having a go at this Centurion thingy, come what may. It was probably during the evening, as we all enjoyed fish and chips, gazing at the sea, that I told Ron I would be joining him. Training then became far more focussed as the months rolled closer to the main event.

It’s well worth reading afresh or for the first time, Ian’s eloquent memory.

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Looking ahead to this weekend at Lewes our club will be represented by Martin Fisher, C788 and Roy Gunnett. Martin is something of a legend, having completed at least 30 Hundreds! Roy will not be short of advice! In attendance and support will be Chris Bolton, C332, achieved in 1962.

BEST WISHES FROM THE CLUB TO ALL THE COMPETITORS, NOT LEAST MARTIN AND ROY