Back at the Club AGM in November it was suggested that for each of our races we work out each participant’s age-graded performance. The idea was partly inspired by the fact that Ian Hilditch took the AJ Taylor Award for the Best Performance in 2022/2023 for his age-graded effort in the BMAF 5 kilometres championship at Horwich. Forgive me I’ve been a bit slow on the uptake but find below the AGM 5k and the December Virtual 5k Age-Gradings. I hope you find them interesting and motivating.
Ian Hilditch receives the AJ Taylor Award for the year’s outstanding performance from Tony Taylor
What is Age-Grading? The British Masters Federation Explanation
Age-Grading is a way of measuring your athletics performance taking into account your age and sex. It enables you to produce a percentage score for each run or other athletics event based on how old you were when you did the competition and the comparative performance of world record holders taking into account their age and event itself.
Why is Age Grading useful?
As we get older it is reasonable to expect that we won’t be able to run/walk at the speeds we achieved when we were young. This can be demotivating for runners/walkers who are ‘past their peak’ even if they are competing well for their age. So, rather than focusing solely on how fast you are running/walking, it can be more motivating to focus on your Age-Graded performance.
AGM 5 Kilometres; Simister, November
Roy Gunnett acheved an excellent 82.90% grading in the AGM 5k
Ken Connor 27:28 81.13%
Tony Taylor 29:05 93.24%
Adrian Edwards 30:40 73.86%
Tony Bell 31:54 71.32%
Martin Payne 32:05 72.10%
Nigel Shaw 32:06 70.56%
Roy Gunnett 33:02 82.09%
John Crahan 34:47 75.80%
Greg Smith 35:32 71.39%
Sailash Shah 36:15 61.29%
Joe Hardy 36:33 78.70%
Dan Maskell 37:14 72.83%
Pat Evans 37:17 77.92%
Phil McCullagh 38:16 68.46%
Ian Hilditch 38:32 77.08%
Steven Wilde 39:31 63.39%
Andrea Lennon 43:12 82.45%
VIRTUAL DECEMBER 5 kilometres
Andrea Lennon continues her 2023 form with 83.90% grading in the December Virtual 5k
Ken Connor 29:44 76.16%
Tony Taylor 30:15 89.64%
Nigel Shaw 31:03 72.95%
Tony Bell 32:40 68.67%
Martin Payne 32:41 70.78%
John Crahan 34:23 76.68%
Greg Smith 35:42 70.92%
Stephen Walker 36:34 64.43%
Joe Hardy 37:04 77.61%
Pat Evans 37:21 77.78%
Phil McCullagh 38:18 62.40%
Steven Wilde 39:50 62.89%
Andrea Lennon 42:27 83.90%
A REMINDER TO SUBMIT YOUR JANUARY VIRTUAL 5K CLOCKINGS, ANECDOTES AND PHOTOS TO TONY BY JANUARY 31st
Back in 1970, Julian Hopkins and I, encouraged by Ron Wallwork, pondered the idea of putting together an annual review of race walking. It was to include commentary on tthe national and international scene, together with articles on technique and training, not forgetting a statistical section. It was an ambitious undertaking, which depended on others joining in if it was to prosper. In the end we produced only one edition, ‘Race Walking ’71’.
Looking back through its contents made me think that some of the material therein might still be of some interest. Hence you will find below a piece I scribbled on the subject of RUNNING!The next article, I’ll post, penned by Julian addressed the question, ‘Is Walking Enough?’
RUNNING: A DESIRABLE ADDITION?
There has been much controversy in recent years about the role that running can play in the training regime of a race walker. Several recognised authorities, notably Lloyd Johnson, have condemned the practice in forthright terms, basing their views not only on theory, but on their own practical experience. In the case of ‘Tebbs’ Johnson there is no doubt that this great walker found the inclusion of running unsatisfactory, but to allege that this proves that it is useless for all is misguided logic. Every athlete remains an individual with his own peculiar emotional and physiological anomalies.
An image close to the time of this article showing Dave Bedford in full flight on his way to a world record 27:30 at 10,000 metres
It is argued that the difference between running and walking precludes the intermarriage of the two movements. The supposition is made that the strengthened quadriceps derived from running have the effect of causing a bending of the knee while walking. This tenuous statement fails to recognise that running is not practised in isolation from the essential walking action. The muscles involved in the latter are consistently being used. Running merely exercises dormant sets of muscles and obviates any likelihood of over-exaggerated muscular usage in other areas. Perhaps it even contributes to exercising the leg through a wider range of movement.
And from the same era Paul Nihill, who broke the 20km world record in 1972, clocking 84:50
It seems quite unfair to lay the blame for bent-knee walking at the door of running. How many walkers with this problem actually utilise running in their training? This fault seems to be more closely linked with the innate physical difficulties, mental fatigue or a lack of the necessary fitness desired in our event. The critics also feel that some walkers might use running as a means of quickening up their action. Such a belief is rather porous in that the free, striding motion of running affords a sensation far removed from the disciplined rhythm of fast walking.
Yet there are certain disadvantages in using running in one’s schedule. In the early days calf stiffness may be irritating, but this should pass quite quickly as the athlete’s legs accustom themselves to the new load. Also the flexibility of the hamstring may be affected by the springing action demanded in running and since a mobile hamstring is essential to the maximum extension of stride, running should not be practised at the expense of walking. Mobility exercises are a great help in retaining and furthering flexibility and thus are an important aid to successfully linking successfully the diverse elements of ‘bounding’ and ‘driving’.
Undoubtedly running is of important cardio-vascular value, but perhaps its chief benefit derives from the variety it affords to the athlete’s training schedule. Walking is the first love, but the freedom experienced in running, for example, over the country is a great elixir. Certainly it is invaluable in maintaining the psychological equilibrium essential to good performance. There are also practical advantages in the sense that running, because of its very nature, allows sessions to be fitted in during restricted time periods e.g. in the early morning or at dinnertime. Indeed it is probably in this type of session that the best rewards can be reaped with the main effort of the day being devoted to the primary mode of progression. The truth is that race walking demands the endurance qualities of distance running combined with the technical accomplishments of a field event. The necessary concentration is not always available and at such times running is of much more value physically and mentally than no effort at all. During the winter conditioning period, long runs at the weekends of the L.S.D. variety could be extremely rewarding, especially if combined with a re-emphasised training programme centred on strengthening the weaknesses of the individual athlete. Jogging on grass can also be of benefit during recovery from injury, dissipating the tension felt by an athlete whilst inactive and maintaining a level of bodily fitness.
In conclusion there is no intention in this article to attract converts to a particular training method. Athletics is too complex a subject and the athlete too much an individual to allow dogmatic views of this evangelistic kind. Running may be totally alien to many walkers, who will continue to achieve high standards without its help. The final decision lies with the individual, but at least let it be said that running could be a desirable element in some walkers’ schedules and should be given proper consideration in the preparation of training programmes.
Tony Taylor
NOTES [2024]
Lloyd Johnson finishing third in the 1948 Olympics 50 kilometres
‘Tebbs’ Lloyd Johnson was a remarkable competitor who remained in the top flight for 25 years. After placing third in the RWA 20 miles walk in 1923, he won the title in 1927, 1931, and 1934, and was the 50K champion in 1931, 1934, and 1949. At the 1948 Olympics he won a bronze medal and, at 48 years, 115 days, he became the oldest Olympic medalist in an athletics event. His best performance came in the 1936 RWA 50K when he crossed the line 4 seconds ahead of future Olympic champion Harold Whitlock, but was disqualified for lifting in the closing stages of a dramatic finish. His time was not bettered by a British walker for 20 years. He succeeded Whitlock as National Coach and served as RWA President 1970-71 . Lloyd was much respected and is remembered with affection by young walkers of the late 60s and early 70s such as Tony Malone and myself for his fatherly and supportive advice.
L.S.D wasn’t a performance-enhancing hallucinatory drug! Less excitingly it was an acronym of the time, standing for Long Slow Distance. It was the mantra underpinning the emphasis during this period on high mileage as the key to success.
STOP PRESS: Adrian Edwards informs us that our next training day will take place at the Stockport Woodbank Park track from 12 noon until 5pm on Sunday 14th January.There is also a development race taking place in the Sale Harriers indoor open meeting. A 1km race walk starting at 1:30pm on Sunday 28th January. Unfortunately entry is by invitation only.
The Botanic Gardens – an optimistic painting for the year ahead by Marilyn Taylor
In a world beset by crisis, carnage and contradiction we can but hope upon hope that peace and humanity will prevail. Against this global backcloth in our small corner of shared passion and camaraderie, I wish all our members and friends the very best for 2024. I’m not sure how many of us can aspire to setting personal bests. Time is not on our side but we can dream!
Some anecdotes and photos from December – all much appreciated
John Gordon – Venue; Cardiff Airport : 11:00am – 5K Time: 32min 49 secs. Although conditions were frosty, the roads were surprisingly good. Bit of Sun starting now. Needed a warm-up and tights were on. Early flights had gone so I got roads to myself.
David Lamb – This morning at 0920 I set off to try and get a 5k under my belt and I succeeded, in a time of 52.55. I don’t know whether you want to include me in the club virtual 5k or not, as I am not a member. I will of course continue to walk the prom at a similar pace and hopefully do the January virtual 5k. There was a cold N.E wind blowing but the sun was beginning to appear, it was good to see the other side of the bay, which we haven’t seen since Saturday morning.
Steven Wilde – Dec 9 Euxton Lane,Chorley Windy and wet 5k time 39’50”
I often see runners,joggers and walkers with listening devices, presumably enjoying music of their choice. It occurred to me that it would be quite easy to put together a playlist of songs which refer to our specific sporting discipline. For instance, in training sessions, whilst endeavouring to achieve an unwavering straight direction of movement,I WALK THE LINE(Johnny Cash) would be apt. If a pyramid session were required, effecting a North African/Middle Eastern cadence might be appropriate to accompany WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN (The Bangles). I don’t suppose you could say Pharaoh than that. An English obsession with weather conditions might find us occasionally WALKING ON SUNSHINE (Katrina & The Waves), or more often JUST WALKING IN THE RAIN (Johnnie Ray). Self-indulgently, I would include WALK ON THE WILD SIDE(Lou Reed) in my own list, whilst the sentiments evinced by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s anthemic YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE might give fitting expression to the collective spirit and camaraderie of our club. Compliments of the season to everyone.
Stephen Walker – 36: 34 in sunny Portugal!
Tony Bell – Virtual 5km today by Racewalking the Millhouses parkrun. A slow start as usual, 18s to get to the start line. 1st lap of 3 rather crowded but then I got going. Lap splits 11.55 10.52 10.34 – but see below.
Tony at the turn in the park run
Greg Smith – My time for the virtual 5k for this month is 35:42, done on 11 December on the 750 metres lap I use in an old industrial area called Bury Ground. There’s a little industry still there and now a police station at one side and a fire station at the other. It’s the only bit of flat ground hereabouts. Local runners often use it for fast intervals. Once I saw a big mixed group from the local TA doing a 10k time trial there in their boots and fatigues. It was a long way for many.
Bury Fire Station – what a beautiful surface!!
Tony Bell and Martin Payne – Monday night is training night in Sheffield with Coach Helen Elleker. Tonight we were at Woodbourn Road track. Martin Payne and I did a 5km race together as part of the virtual 5km. I did 32.40 and Martin was just behind in 32.41.
Tony beating Martin in a dip-finish
Marco Bernatzki – I have been busy this weekend and I finished my virtual race with a time of 33:39. Due to the cold and windy weather conditions a more than acceptable time. Wish you happy and peaceful Xmas days.
Ken Connor – On the same same day as our cancelled walk I walked Warrington parkrun in 31.29 about 32.10 official on a slightly long course but tweaked my hamstring in the process. Probably due to the cold and not warming up. So with some ice and rest the following Saturday I walked really well, with a Widnes Parkrun in 30.03 only to discover a large bruise at the back of the knee. More ice and it’s seems ok now. As promised 29.44 recorded today, December 30. Bitterly cold, well wrapped up. That was punishing!
Nigel Shaw – Apologies for the late details ,we were away on holiday for the first two weeks in December went on December 04. Then straight back to work. Did 5k this morning 30/12/24 in a very cold Cheadle. Venue Cheadle Hulme to Cheadle village.
Pat Evans – time at our local parkrun this morning was 37:21. A fair amount of it was on soft grass and shaley paths so it was very good in the circumstances.
John Crahan – I did 34min 23 sec for my 5k. Despite a period or more niggles than pints I am reasonably fit.
Tony Taylor – Beautiful weather conditions, managed 30:15 [6:03; 5:59; 6:05; 6:05; 6:03]
DECEMBER VIRTUAL 5 KILOMETRES SCRATCH
Ken Connor 29:44
Tony Taylor 30:15
Nigel Shaw 31:03
Tony Bell 32:40
Martin Payne 32:41
John Gordon 32:49
Marco Bernatzki 33:39
John Crahan 34:23
Greg Smith 35:42
Stephen Walker 36:34
Joe Hardy 37:04
Pat Evans 37:21
Roy Gunnett 37:23
Phil McCullagh 38:18
Steven Wilde 39:50
Andrea Lennon 42:27
Chris Harvey 48:46
David Lamb 52:55
DECEMBER VIRTUAL 5 KILOMETRES HANDICAP
John Gordon 25:09
John Crahan 27:28
Martin Payne 28:01
Marco Bernatzki 28:37
Nigel Shaw 28:38
Stephen Walker 28:39
Phil McCullagh 28:53
Ken Connor 29:19
Pat Evans 29:41
Tony Bell 30:00
Tony Taylor 30:15
Greg Smith 30:17
Steve Wilde 30:54
David Lamb 30:55
Roy Gunnett 31:13
Andrea Lennon 32:02
Joe Hardy 32:24
Chris Harvey 38:21
CLOCKINGS FOR THE JANUARY VIRTUAL 5 KILOMETRES TO BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 31st. ANECDOTES AND PHOTOS ONCE AGAIN WELCOMED.
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.
Imagine being offered the chance to run or walk from John O’Groats to Lands End with a first prize, which would enable you to buy a modest house in many parts of the country – would you have a go? The snags – you’ve less than 3 weeks to prepare, and you must make all your own arrangements for feeding, accommodation en route, spare clothing etc.
Sixty-four years ago ‘would be’ competitors were thinking of heading for Scotland to take part in Billy Butlin’s challenge race from John O’Groats to Lands End which was scheduled to start at dawn on Saturday 27th February, later rescheduled to start on the Friday at 5pm because the large entry could not be accommodated in John O’Groats overnight. Remember this was in the days before the running boom, there were no specialised running shoes, and most runners used Dunlop Green Flashes, There was a lot of local opposition to the race taking place – The Chief Constable of Caithness asked for it to be cancelled in view of the bad weather conditions in the county and the county police and medical services would be unable to deal with the expected number of casualties – most roads were affected by hard-packed snow. In fact, the road between Bonar Bridge and Dingwall was blocked meaning a 14 miles detour via Tain. The main prizes were equally divided between Men and Women with £1000 to the winner, £500 for 2nd and £250 for 3rd with awards to the oldest and youngest competitors to finish. Competitors had to make their own arrangements for resting feeding and transporting of their spare clothing, and the race had only been announced two weeks previously.
John’s letter of acceptance
A training partner of mine John Grundy of Wakefield Harriers decided to have a go. John was a good distance runner who’d had an excellent result in the 1959 London to Brighton race and won the Liverpool to Blackpool 58 miles race the year before. John was a delivery driver for British Rail and he would deliver goods from Kirkgate Station all over the Wakefield District – including a well-known local firm, ‘Clegg and Huntingdon’. When Mr Huntingdon heard of John’s intentions he offered to sponsor him by paying for John’s expenses in the race. John’s brother-in-law would follow John in his van carrying food, spare clothing etc
Over 700 runners set off and John immediately went into the lead covering the first twenty miles in 2 hours and 20 minutes which he kept until he stopped for the night at Dunbeath (39 miles from the start). Many retired after just one night realising the immensity of the task involved. After the second night a Bermudan, David Robinson had taken the lead from John and held it throughout Scotland, only losing it at Penrith. Back in Wakefield, we used to get a phone call giving us details of John’s progress. We decided to give him some support at the weekend. Bob Walker and I set off after work on Friday to drive up to meet John (no motorways then!)
Meeting John at Ecclefechan
Up the A1 to Scotch Corner then over Bowes Moor, pick the A6 to Carlisle. We reckoned we’d see John somewhere between Carlisle and Gretna Green – got to Gretna Green and no sign of him. We eventually found John on the outskirts of Ecclefechan about 10 miles further into Scotland – a weary figure bundled up against the cold. His knee was giving him a lot of trouble. He settled in the back of the car for a few hours of sleep (about 4 before we bundled him out) and we slowly ran down to Carlisle Hospital where they bandaged his knee.
On our way to Carlisle Hospital
Then changing into running gear we set off southwards. Bob and I alternated pacing John throughout the day before we headed home. On the following Monday after work, I drove over to Cheshire and met up with him again and together with Ken Gates, one of John’s old rivals from Liverpool, paced him for a long time into the night.
John catching Alf Rozental
John and Alf shake hands as he takes the lead
John kept in touch with us by phone and eventually went into the lead passing Alf Rozental, a race walker from Newark and by Thursday he had a 3-hour lead but his knee was still troubling him.
His sponsors decided to go down to the southwest to see the finish and asked me if I’d like to go – my boss kindly gave me the day off and on the journey down for the first time I was in a car (a Jaguar) which went over 100 mph (before the days of speed limits) and we met up with John in Crediton Devon (approx 115 miles from Land’s End) he had dropped to second place behind Jim Musgrave of Doncaster. I started to run with him and did a 20-mile stint before getting in the car for a thirty-minute rest then out again for another 20 miles before another half-hour’s break followed by a 15-miler and another rest. My sessions grew ever shorter and the rests longer.
John and Guy somewhere in Devon
Chris Brasher and Clement (Clay) Freud were covering the race for the Observer newspaper and when Brasher found out John was a proper club runner he wholeheartedly threw his weight behind John’s effort. Word filtered back that Musgrave had stopped for a meal in the next town about 3 miles ahead, Brasher exhorted John to pick up the pace and pass him – ‘It’ll demoralise him’ Brasher said but John was desperately tired now and hungry too so when we reached the town’s outskirts John spotted this pub and wanted to stop – he was still behind where Musgrave was dining. Brasher wanted him to go on but John refused. It was a busy Saturday night in the pub but Brasher went straight up to the Landlord and explained the situation and told him to get a hot bath run immediately. He then asked which local lived nearest and told him to go home and get a meal prepared straight away. After the bath, John went to the local’s house where the meal was duly ready.
John’s welcome Saturday night meal
Of course, by this time Musgrave was back on the road. John was down to a steady shuffle now and although we kept telling him he could win £1000 he kept replying (rightly) ‘But I’m going to get £500 –there’s no one near me behind’. Eventually, we were reduced to a walk
John with eventual winner, Jim Musgrave
Musgrave finally reached the finish at 7.32am on Sunday morning whilst John came in a weary second around 90 minutes later (8.55am) and race walker Alf Rozentals third at 1.20pm. 113 men completed the course. the last finishing on Friday 25th at 5pm and 25 Women, the last finishing on Thursday 24th at 6.45pm
Wendy Lewis
Beryl Randle takes it easy after finishing 2nd
For much of the race, Beryl Randle was in the lead but was outpaced over the later stages by Wendy Lewis who finished on Tuesday 15th at 12.30am followed by Beryl the same day at 8.30am
According to my diary, I did 84 miles on the last two days and I slept for most of the journey back to Yorkshire. The AAA immediately banned John from amateur races but he did the same as John Tarrant – became a ‘ghost runner’ joining in just after the start, without a number, then swerving around the recorders at the finish without actually going over the official finish line
If you want a fuller picture of the race see if you can get a copy of the book “The Big Walk” by A Walker published by Prentice-Hall International Inc. (there’s at least one copy on Amazon and several on ABE Books).
Once again thanks to Guy for a ‘beltin’ read. There’ll be a New Year post next week with the results of the December Virtual 5 kilometres. For now our very best wishes for 2024 to all our readers!
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 to which she was devoted. It incorporates as well information from other sources, including that of our dear friend, Glyn Jones, who has known Beryl across the decades. Beryl died on the 28th of November, a few days short of her 95th birthday.
Beryl began her athletics career as a young girl where, as a member of the Girls’ Training Corps, Beryl volunteered to compete in a 100m novice race at Cadbury Sports in 1946. Though this wasn’t her true calling, she was scouted by a gentleman who invited her to “Come and get fit like my girls”.
Sure enough, she joined Birmingham Atalanta, training at Salford Park and discovering a skill and a passion for race walking that would define her career. She took up competitive walking, after coming last in that 100-metre sprint, and was coached by Doris Nelson Neal. To train, she would walk from her home in Walsall to her workplace in Digbeth, Birmingham, and back – 18 miles (29 km) each day. She moved to Birchfield in 1953.
Racing victories and World Records have studded Beryl’s career. On 29 May 1954, she broke the world record for the one-mile walk, with a time of 7 minutes 49 seconds. On 19 June 1954, she shaved over ten seconds from her own record, at the White City Stadium, with a time of 7 minutes 38.4 seconds. In doing so, she became the Women’s Amateur Athletic Association Champion. She was honoured for this achievement with a brooch depicting the stag logo of Birchfield Harriers in solid gold, commissioned by G.H. Alexander, then president of the club.
Beryl recalled – I remember finishing the walk with a last gasp of supreme effort. I had no idea I was going to break the world record because Nelson our coach was the sort of person who would not give away any time in training which meant that I had no idea what sort of shape that I was in that day… I just went for it from the start.
In addition, she was a six-time Midland mile track champion, four-time British mile track champion, and three-time Midland road-walking champion.
1960 witnessed one of Beryl’s most iconic moments – her performance in the race walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End, a challenge that had caught the country’s imagination. Despite leading the winner, Wendy Lewis for the majority of the route, a sprained ankle meant she finished in second place. Nevertheless, Billy Butlin of holiday camp fame, the chief sponsor, was so impressed with Bery’s fighting spirit that he presented her with a cheque for £1000 – the same as the overall winner! Due to the rules at the time, by accepting the price Beryl forfeited her amateur status.
Beryl and Wendy ‘relaxing’ at Lands End p photo from the Picture Post of the day
Years later. the decision reversed, Beryl secured a World Veterans Gold Medal in the 5000m Race Walk at Gateshead in 1999 after breaking the over-70s world best for the 3,000 metres track walk.
Beryl still going for it in 1999 and looking majestic nigh on fifty years earlier Thanks to alchetron.com
Off the road and track Beryl played an active role locally and nationally. A life member of Birchfield, Harriers amongst many other roles, she was a coach and a team manager In 2009, she was elected President of the Midland Counties Athletics Association.
She was the Honorary General Secretary of the Race Walking Association from 1988 to 1991, and its President from 1996 to 1998. Beryl was a highly respected Race Walking Judge and officiated at several RWA Championships. She was subsequently made an Honorary Life Member and was given their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
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 competition. Your December clockings should be sent to Tony at tonymtaylor@gmail.com by Friday, December 29th at the latest. This will allow you to indulge yourselves without worry over the New Year’s weekend!!
Greg Smith, winner of the December 2022 Virtual Handicap
Weather allowing, this gives members nigh on four weeks to fit in a 5 kilometre blast, which should stand everyone in good stead for the longer challenges ahead. Dave Evans has already drawn up his handicap sheet and forwarded it to yours truly. Thus, given my dedication to the cause, I will put together the scratch and handicap results on New Year’s Eve, posting these on the website on New Year’s Day! There’s a promise! In addition, we are going to include for interest an age-graded percentage in respect of each member’s performance. We did this during COVID and in fact, Ian Hilditch won this year’s AJ Taylor Trophy on the strength of his excellent age-graded effort in the Horwich Masters 5 kilometre championship.
Ian Hilditch, winner of the AJ Taylor Trophy, 2023
If you’ve got the means or inclination, an anecdote or a photo related to your December effort will be gratefully received.
Impressively John Gordon is the first off the mark. Much appreciated.
A bloody cold one!
My walk details for today – December 2nd
Venue; Cardiff Airport
Time: 11:00am
5K Time : 32min 49 secs
Although conditions were frosty, the roads were surprisingly good. Bit of Sun starting now. Needed a warm-up and the tights were on. Early flights had gone so got roads to myself.
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 ignored my overtures and heavy snow is forecast for the North of England over this coming weekend. Hence, we have had little option but to cancel the event. I’ll follow this urgent message with more details about replacing the fixture with a December Virtual 5 kilometres. In the meantime, keep warm and, if you can’t get out on the road, what about some mobility exercises?
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 the 2023 edition.
Dave Evans alerts us to the fast-approaching Dick Maxwell Memorial and Xmas 10-kilometre race to be held on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 at Simister, starting at 1.00 p.m.
Back in 2021 and back into the warmth!
We will be using our usual 10k course, out and back (twice)into Heaton Park. As the weather can be a factor [wise words indeed!] we have moved away from the original ‘nightmare’ course and will now just race on the regular 10k course from our headquarters. Dave would appreciate it if all club members could confirm their availability by email at dave.evans08@hotmail.co.uk, indicating if they are walking or would be available to help with marshalling and any other tasks.
Not to be pessimistic but take account of Pat’s apparel!
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 the effects of drinking during a marathon (remember this was back in the days when it was forbidden to take a drink before 10 miles in a distance race) and also to confirm the findings of Dr Saltin of Sweden on increasing the store of glycogen in the muscles before a long distance race (now known as ‘carbo-loading’). It was coordinated by Martin Hyman and designed to help any athletes going to the Olympics that year in Mexico City. John Newsome and Tony Child were in the running group which was testing the effects of drinking during a race whilst George Barras, Roy Thorpe and Guy Goodair were testing the diet as race-walkers. Both groups were split into two A & B and the tests were conducted on May 5 & 19 at Bracknell ( a fairly long drive as the M1 wasn’t fully open to Leeds until October of that year.
All athletes had to do a solo 40km time trial on both days – Set A taking drinks (runners) or being on the diet (walkers) Set B runners doing 40km without a drink and walkers on their normal diet. A fortnight later the positions were reversed. Because it was bitterly cold on both occasions – the drinks test was a bit inconclusive (non-drinkers being on average about a 1 minute faster) but this was put down to time lost in taking the drinks on board and the slight extra body weight due to drinking. Whilst with the walkers although the average times were similar between dieters and non-dieters – those on the diet were significantly faster over the last 10km clearly indicating the diet gave greater stamina. Both the running and walking sections of the Harriers were quick to adapt to the diet and it’s one of the reasons the club became one of the strongest road running and race walking clubs in the country.
Here are the split times (equivalent to 8 consecutive Park runs! and on your own at that) I wish I could run one park run now in the time I could walk one in those days.
I did have a copy of the WALKERS’ splits but can’t find it but attaching a copy of the total times taken / The walkers were John Moulin, Phil Embleton, Peter Marlow, Pat Duncan, Roy Thorpe, Shaun Lightman, George Barras, Guy Goodair, Colin Young and Paul Maidment
George Barras and Guy Goodair dominating in the Blackpool
Sadly, remembering 1968 brings us to the news that Arthur Jones, who placed 11th in the altitude-effected Mexico 20 kilometres walk, has passed away in Australia, where he lived in Adelaide. My first memory of Brighton’s Arthur is of him finishing a perhaps surprise third behind Shaun Lightman and the winner, Ron Wallwork in the 1967 National 10 miles staged in Bolton.
RISING STARS – photos by Jim Coomber
He cemented his growing reputation a few weeks later by coming second to Ron in the National 20-kilometre championship on a stiff, undulating course at East Ewell. Arthur made a bright start to 1968 finishing an outstanding second to Paul Nihill in the Southern Track 7 miles, clocking 50:21 but didn’t compete in either the National 10 miles or 20 kilometres. However, he was to time his season almost to perfection, winning the AAA 2 miles in 13:35.6 and being awarded the Fowler-Dixon style prize before finishing 3rd Briton behind Bob Hughes and John Webb in the Olympic Trial at Cwmbran. As the Race Walking Record [RWR] commented he finished a very creditable 11th in an Olympic 20 kilometres remembered for the close finish. Only five seconds separated the first three home, Golubnichy, Pedraza and Smaga. The RWR added its hope that if Arthur could maintain his progress he would be a strong contender at the next Olympics in Munich. This was not to be as he emigrated to Australia the following year.
Below you will find tributes that are being forwarded to Dave Ainsworth.
Don Cox C787 – Sadly just got the news from Australia, Arthur Jones died today. Arthur was in the GREAT BRITAIN team at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. When I lived in Adelaide, Arthur and his wife Carol lived in the same road as me, we sometimes did a long Sunday training walk in the Adelaide hills. Good days, RIP Arthur.
Alan Buchanan – Arthur Jones was a neighbour and good friend in the sixties and we had our families about the same time. He joined Brighton AC from Herne Hill Harriers and was a decent half-miler before taking to walking and gave it a boost in Sussex when he moved here. He first inspired Dave Boxall to have a go then I also tried a 7miles in November 1966 after having run 4 Marathons that year. His ambition was to make the team for the Mexico Olympics and I remember coming back on the train from the National 20km where he’d not done well and was very down and determined to up his training as he was basically a good track Walker with a safe technique. When the final trial came he produced the goods to make the team and finish as leading Brit. It was not without some controversy as Peter Fullager, who had spent a month living and training with Arthur in Hove thought he should have been selected. It seemed at the time the RWA selectors had more faith in Arthur’s technique. I took over as club Secretary duties so he could concentrate on training and he was one of three athletes Brighton and Hove AC had selected for the 6 weeks stay in high altitude Mexico City. The following year we said goodbye when he and the family emigrated to Australia on an assisted package. We lost touch in recent years as he had dementia but he was a good friend who led me into my many happy walking years. I will inform the club as we were both life members.
Inter-Club 7 miles 16/12/1968 – perhaps one of Arthur’s last races [Number71] in the UK. Thanks to Alan Buchanan [Number 72] for the great image. Number 34 is Phil Embleton, a future Olympian.
Chris Maddocks – Sad news. Nice to read Don’s comments about the good training days with Arthur.
Roy Lodge – It was with great sadness that I received news of Arthur’s death. So sad that one had to compose oneself to come to terms with such sadness. Arthur and I were selected to represent Gt. Britain in an international athletics meeting against France in La Baule 1967. Ken Bobbett made up the trio in the 20k track walk. We shared a room in a splendid hotel and became great friends although fiercely competitive in racing. I admired Arthur’s upright walking style and his training regime. He was intent as I was to go to Mexico. For Arthur that ambition was realised and how proud he was and rightly so. I shall treasure memories of a truly good friend and a race walker of the highest calibre. Rest in peace and rise in glory.
Peter Marlow 1972 Olympian – I remember training with Arthur. He was a bespectacled and very tall walker and he was charming.
Bill Sutherlas BEM 1970 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist – Very sad news indeed to hear of the passing of Arthur Jones. A very stylish race walker who achieved an outstanding performance at the 1968 Mexico Olympics – 20 Kms Walk. He was certainly one of the stars in Brighton and Hove A C in the late 60’s before emigrating to Australia and enhanced their depth in top race walkers. May he Rest in Peace and always be remembered fondly. With sincere condolences.
Mike Parker – Saddened to receive the news about the death of Arthur Jones. I have tried several times over the years to track him down in Australia. Whenever I have been over there I have enquired as to his whereabouts but alas, always to no avail. The last time I caught up with Peter Fullager back in 2018 he was unaware as to where Arthur Jones was residing, yet it now appears they were both living in Adelaide.
I will never forget the day I won the National 10 at Exeter in 1981. I felt extra proud that I had emulated Arthur’s feat in winning that particular Championship. I’m not sure, but I think Arthur and I remain the only male racewalkers from Brighton & Hove AC to have won a national title. Except of course for George Larner, many years earlier, certainly many moons before the emergence of the RWA.
So it has been a sad day, another one of the old Brighton & Hove AC racewalkers gone.
I’ll add more tributes as they become available and an Australian perspective – see now above link
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 November. There’s a car park at each end of Turncroft Lane, by Woodbank Park, just off junction 27 of the M60.
Woodbank Stadium, Woodbank Park, Turncroft Lane, Offerton, Stockport SK1 4JR
The session will give Sailash or anyone else who wants to build up their mileage a chance to walk on a flat track with toilet and drinks facilities on hand. Anyone else is welcome to turn up at any time to do a track session, for as long as they want. If they have a phone with a video function we can video them so they can see their technique visually which may help.
I can do some coaching and anyone else with enough experience who turns up can input too.
We are indebted to Adrian for making this possible and would encourage members to take advantage of this excellent opportunity.
Lancashire Walking Club : Health The First Wealth 