I am pretty sure that I first met Frank in June 1980 as I passed him a sponge as he competed in the Blackpool of that year. I had no recollection of his smiling face from earlier years, which made his presence in a One Hour race result from 1968 perplexing. After some detective work we are pretty sure that the Frank in the 1968 is Frank Dawson from Preston and not the Frank Dolan of this tribute, who hailed from Carlisle. A case of mistaken identity.

In the flesh, by all accounts, it would have been impossible to mistake Frank for anyone else. He possessed a warm and witty personality, which made him very popular as attested by Richard and Sandra Brown.

Very sad news. We remember Frank well from happy years at the Roubaix 28h with Phil Hastings, Charlie Weston, our current Centurions Captain Roger Michell and others. Our condolences to Family and friends at Lancs WC. Best wishes, Sandra and Richard C735, C 760.

In fact his formidable achievements on the road in the longer distances have been perhaps overlooked, even in our own ranks. Frank is our most prolific 100 miler, having completed four, one more than the marvellous Hazel Fairhurst. In addition he finished two further Hundreds on the continent – see below. This information was found by Roy Gunnett in the programme for the London Vidarians 1996 ‘Colchester 100’, which Frank didn’t finish or perhaps didn’t start.

Frank’s accession to the status of Centurion came in the much talked about Surrey WC 1979 Ewhurst 100 Miles where a record UK 100 Miles field of 107 started – 78 finished (37 were new Centurions). Frank clocked 21:33.14 to be presented with Badge No.656. His fastest time of 20:26:25 came in 1986 at Woodford, which itself was only one minute faster than his 1985 Colchester clocking – a model of consistency.

Frank’s first Manchester- Blackpool saw him on the road in 1980, when he was first counter for our club, just ahead of Eric Crompton.

These are his performances in the years following:

1982.    18th.   9:43:33.          Walked for York Postal RWC

This was the year in which Mike Holmes after a long gap because of his diabetes went under eight hours and Tony Malone walked a fine race to finish 3rd.

1983.    13th     9:30:45.          Walked for Carlisle AC

Frank came in behind those redoubtable women, Sandra Brown 11th and Anne Sayer 12th.

1984.    18th.   9:50:32.          Walked for Lancashire WC

Held in early August, Mike Holmes won again in just over 8 hours on a course slightly lengthened because of road works.

1987.     17th. 9:42:17.           Walked for Lancashire WC

The acclaimed winner was the irrepressible Dave Turner of the Yorkshire RWC.

1988.       9th.   9:23:22.           Walked for LancashireW WC

The victor of the last race to be held on the point-to-point Manchester – Blackpool course was Alan King of the Leicester WC, who had always been staunch supporters of the event.

How very sad, as we reflect again on the great days of British Long Distance Walking. May he Rest on Peace. Sincere condolences, Bill and Kath Sutherland

1979 Ewhurst 100 Miles – Incredible Centurion numbers. I remember Frank in the Manchester to Blackpool walks, the Centurions Honorary Treasurer Richard Cole.

Frank was a great guy and an asset to York Postal RWC, Graham Jackson

Unfortunately we only heard recently of Frank’s death and the date of his funeral, which took place on January 2nd. Belatedly we are sending our sincere condolences to his family and friends in Carlisle.

---

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.