Many thanks to BBC Kent for ‘running’ this story.
A British gold medallist from the 1960 Olympics is commemorated annually by a mile-long race.
Don Thompson set an Olympic-record time and beat former gold medallists to win the 50km (31 mile) race walking event in Rome.
Folkestone Running and Athletics Club in Kent, of which Thompson was a former member, commemorates the Olympian with the annual Don Thompson Mile race between Sandgate and Hythe.
Local running commentator Kevin Daly told Secret Kent that “a lot of runners don’t know who Don Thompson is even though he was a local man”.
“Somebody came up with the idea of doing something to stand the test of time so we could remember him every year,” he said. “So the Don Thompson Mile was dreamt up.”
At the event, runners race along the promenade in Hythe from one plaque honouring Thompson to another, a mile away.
The race direction is determined by the wind.
Daly described the race walker, who died in 2006, as “a character in his own little way”.
Read more at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx24dp5p8yxo
Against the odds. Through injury. Back to the Olympic stage.
WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE our latest documentary short is premiering with Athletics Weekly on March 4th— telling the story of double Olympian race walker Callum Wilkinson and his journey of overcoming all the odds to qualify for Paris 2024.
Race walking is one of the most gruelling and niche disciplines in athletics – demanding relentless discipline, resilience and endurance. This film captures Callum’s battle to overcome injuries, setbacks to secure his place once again on the Olympic start line.
Premieres Wednesday 4th at 10am
On the Athletics Weekly YouTube channel
Also featured in the March issue of Athletics Weekly
Director Tom Ruddock
Producer Shelley Ruddock
Cinematographer Yannick hausler
Executive Producer Len Ruddock
Post Sound mixing Ben Metsers
Artwork design Snollygoster Productions
#Athletics#RaceWalking#Olympics#Paris2024#Documentary
Our very own Ron Wallwork makes a guest appearance!
Paul Briggs continued.
Back last August we posted a tribute to Paul Briggs, Yorkshire RWC – https://lancswalkingclub.com/2025/08/12/remembering-centurions-past-and-present-paul-briggs-and-ian-garmston/
In January, by way of our great friend, Dave Ainsworth, Fiona Kavanagh from Bradford got in touch and later provided the photos of Paul to be found below. If any readers have information about them, we’d be pleased to hear.
I grew up across the street from Paul and when he got ill the last year he moved in with my dad and I was his carer. I have a lot of photos and medals if you would like any also he did a race walking scrapbook full of stuff.
I replied – Thanks so much for getting in touch and belated, sincere thanks for looking after Paul. The stuff you’ve got is a treasure trove but what might be done with it. Unfortunately I now live abroad on Crete and because of illness I haven’t been back to the UK for a couple of years. I’d love to get more photos and images by email as I can use them on the Lancashire website I maintain but I don’t know what you might do with the medals. Sadly there isn’t a national race walking museum and the once great Yorkshire club has folded.
Fiona can be contacted at fionakavanagh87@yahoo.co.uk
Stephen’s fundraiser for Mencap
Lancashire Walking Club member, Stephen Walker is taking on this formidable challenge.
Story
Last year our son Michael, undertook a fantastic challenge for MENCAP, by completing 100km in a week, and setting a Guinness World Record in the process
Carrying on in this vein, now its my turn, and I’m going to carry on and attempt to undertake the Super Six Half Marathon series. This is a series of Half Marathons across Europe, starting with Lisbon and Prague in March, we then head further north to Copenhagen, then to finish in 2026, its Cardiff and Valencia in October. To complete the series the Berlin race will be in March 2027.
Having had cancer in my right leg, I do find running for any distance a struggle, but I am determined to give it a go.
Thank you to everyone who has already supported me.
Lancashire Walking Club : Health The First Wealth 