Author Archives: Tony Taylor

John O’Groats to Lands End: Guy Goodair’s fascinating reminiscence

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Tony Taylor

Enormous praise is due to Guy Goodair for providing this end-of-year treat- a fascinating insider insight into the 1960 John O’Groats to Lands End race, which we alluded to in our tribute to Beryl Randle. Guy begins the wonderful tale.  … Continue reading →

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Beryl Randle RIP – one of our sport’s great characters

Posted on December 17, 2023 by Tony Taylor

Beryl Randle, born on the 16th of December 1928, was one of our sport’s great characters and a pioneer in terms of women’s race walking. The following tribute is based on a touching post from Birchfield Harriers, the athletics club … Continue reading →

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Yet another December Virtual 5 kilometre club event

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Tony Taylor

Following the unfortunate cancellation of the Dick Maxwell trophy race on December 2nd, it has been agreed that we organise a December Virtual 5 kilometres in addition to that envisaged for January. Both will count in the overall Club Handicap … Continue reading →

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Lightning does strike twice: Our Xmas race cancelled for the second year walking!

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Tony Taylor

URGENT MESSAGE I did tempt fate by joking about last year’s cancellation of our Xmas race. In 2022 we fell foul of a Heaton Park Xmas extravaganza, which meant our usual course was out of bounds. This year Zeus has … Continue reading →

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Dick Maxwell Memorial and Xmas 10km, December 2nd

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Tony Taylor

Tempting fate I’m reproducing a modified version of last year’s post, announcing the forthcoming Xmas 10-kilometre race in 2022, which was alas cancelled. My comment under Pat’s photo was indeed pessimistic and prescient! Here’s hoping Zeus looks down kindly on … Continue reading →

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Remembering 1968: Guy reveals the ‘secrets’ of IAC research while sadly Arthur Jones, Mexico Olympian has died

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Tony Taylor

Guy Goodair reports on this fascinating, historical piece of research, which took place in the spring of 1968 ahead of the Mexico Olympics. Fifty years ago five members of Wakefield Harriers became pioneers for the International Athletics Club research into … Continue reading →

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Training and Coaching Day, Sunday, November 26th

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Tony Taylor

In a very welcome initiative, Adrian Edwards is making available the Woodbank Athletic Facility for a coaching and training session a week this coming Sunday. He informs us: I’ve booked the Woodbank Park track from 12 until 5pm. Sunday 26th … Continue reading →

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A Murky Day in Simister: the Club AGM 5 Kilometres

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Tony Taylor

Dave Evans reports: As if delivering an early Christmas present we managed to field 17 walkers in the AGM 5k bringing together not only the usual nucleus but some friends from afar. Tony Taylor made the long trip from Crete, … Continue reading →

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Noel Blatchford RIP – an extraordinary sporting career

Posted on October 29, 2023 by Tony Taylor

Grateful thanks to Ron Wallwork for circulating this tribute. For many of us in Lancashire Noel was an engaging regular at the BMAF 5km championships in Horwich, where she invariably dominated her age-group. Noel Blatchford RIP  The race-walking fraternity has … Continue reading →

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CLUB AGM and 5 KM, SIMISTER, NOVEMBER 4th

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Tony Taylor

You will find below details relating to the forthcoming AGM. Particular thanks to Greg Smith for sorting all this out. Members should have received the notification and accompanying reports via email. However I’ve copied and pasted some of the material … Continue reading →

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