Category Archives: History

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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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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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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Marion and Peter Fawkes honour Andrew Fraser

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Tony Taylor

It’s been two years since we posted our tribute, Andrew Fraser RIP, standard bearer for Scottish Race Walking. The piece contained moving anecdotes and images such as the one below. In a touching and generous gesture, expressive of the values … Continue reading →

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Race Walking loses three great characters

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Tony Taylor

in the past few weeks race walking has lost three outstanding characters from within and without its ranks. The first of these, Jack Englert of the Sheffield Unuted Harriers is perhaps the least known. However, he was a stalwart of … Continue reading →

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Centurions Corner and Notice of the Goodwin Trophy

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Tony Taylor

View Post The humanist service was imbued with emotion, humour and defiance. At one point the celebrant quoted from our online tribute a story told by Chris Harvey, which brought tears to our eyes. And an old militant such as … Continue reading →

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Not the last Moulton Five – a video of hope

Posted on August 1, 2023 by Tony Taylor

In the last week, I’ve been unable to complete a range of tasks flowing out of the Fred Pearce Relay and its shenanigans. Stupidly I’ve suffered mild sunstroke as a result of attending hatless an emotional and dramatic military funeral … Continue reading →

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Report of the Fred Pearce Relay and Other Shenanigans, July 22nd

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Tony Taylor

As ever Dave provided promptly this race report before embarking on the Sunday with Pat to do a 16 miles walk along the south-west of Scotland – in his words, ‘suckers for punishment’! Since Saturday I’ve been inundated with comments … Continue reading →

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Back together again – Fred Pearce and Tony Taylor at Simister, July 22nd

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Tony Taylor

The Fred Pearce Relay has a special place in our club’s calendar, It’s a moment when we remember Fred’s enduring contribution to the life of his cherished Lancashire Walking Club. And, on a personal level, many of us will have … Continue reading →

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