Author Archives: Tony Taylor

Mick Holmes RIP – race walker extraordinaire, the like of whom we will never see again

As I post this tribute I see it as a memory in the making. I hope that other members of the race walking community will contribute their stories of a formidable and perhaps half-forgotten great athlete. Michael Stephen ‘Mike’ HOLMES (GBR) (b. … Continue reading

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An international Barnard Trophy at Sutton, July 1st

Barnard Trophy 10k July 1st 2023 at Sutton Macclesfield  Roy Gunnett reports: Ten Walkers lined up for the start of the Barnard Trophy 10k on July 1st at Sutton Macclesfield. The usual 3-lap course was used. We were not greeted with the very … Continue reading

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The Welcome Return of the BMAF 5 km Championship [Part Two]

More photos from the successful relaunch of the BMAF 5km championship in Horwich or more of Bill Sutherland’s tongue-in-cheek ‘Golden Oldies’. Fulsome thanks to Greg for the presentation images and to Irene Pike for the action shots.

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The Fred Pearce Relays and Tony Taylor’s 70th-year race walking

I hope you will forgive this self-indulgent note ahead of this Saturday’s Barnard Trophy 10k in Sutton. However in three weeks, with Christine Pearce’s support, the tribute to our dear Fred in the Relay of his family’s name will incorporate … Continue reading

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Remembering the tradition: The Barnard Trophy 10 kilometres, July 1st

Back in November, when on duty at the crossroads, I mentioned in a previous post a lovely moment when a passing older couple stopped to chat. They were so pleased to see race walkers on the road and waxed lyrical … Continue reading

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The Welcome Return of the BMAF 5 km Championship [Part One]

Last Sunday the British Masters 5 kilometres road championship was revived in what had become its home, the Lancashire town of Horwich. Due in no small measure to the sterling efforts of Adrian Edwards and Eric Horwill, the renaissance was … Continue reading

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Heatwave in Bury as Adrian holds off Martin in the Dick Smith 10 kilometres race

Dave Evans, punctual as ever, reports from a sun-baked Bury: With an ambient temperature of 30 degrees centigrade on the track, it would not have surprised me if the final skin colour of the aspirants resembled the new orange “tartan” … Continue reading

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The Eindhoven Exploits of Martin, Sailash and Dave

Martin Payne reports: The walking races on May 27 were organised by OLAT ( www.olat.nl/iwe ) held for the first time at Eindhoven – previously at Weert on odd-numbered years. Really friendly and helpful organisers as per in the Netherlands. Having registered … Continue reading

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Dick and Zena Smith Trophies up for grabs at Bury, June 10th

This race commemorates the remarkable contribution to the life of our club made by the husband and wife couple, Dick and Zena Smith. The contest will take place at the Bury AC track, starting at 1.00 pm on Saturday, June … Continue reading

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Horwich Clarification and Middlesborough News

As I understand the situation there was a bit of confusion at Chorley about the arrangements for the revived BMAF 5 kilometres championships at Horwich on Sunday, June 18th Adrian Edwards, who has done so much to get the event … Continue reading

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