Best Wishes for 2024 and December’s Virtual 5km results

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Tony Taylor

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

  1. Ken Connor 29:44
  2. Tony Taylor 30:15
  3. Nigel Shaw 31:03
  4. Tony Bell 32:40
  5. Martin Payne 32:41
  6. John Gordon 32:49
  7. Marco Bernatzki 33:39
  8. John Crahan 34:23
  9. Greg Smith 35:42
  10. Stephen Walker 36:34
  11. Joe Hardy 37:04
  12. Pat Evans 37:21
  13. Roy Gunnett 37:23
  14. Phil McCullagh 38:18
  15. Steven Wilde 39:50
  16. Andrea Lennon 42:27
  17. Chris Harvey 48:46
  18. David Lamb 52:55

DECEMBER VIRTUAL 5 KILOMETRES HANDICAP

  1. John Gordon 25:09
  2. John Crahan 27:28
  3. Martin Payne 28:01
  4. Marco Bernatzki 28:37
  5. Nigel Shaw 28:38
  6. Stephen Walker 28:39
  7. Phil McCullagh 28:53
  8. Ken Connor 29:19
  9. Pat Evans 29:41
  10. Tony Bell 30:00
  11. Tony Taylor 30:15
  12. Greg Smith 30:17
  13. Steve Wilde 30:54
  14. David Lamb 30:55
  15. Roy Gunnett 31:13
  16. Andrea Lennon 32:02
  17. Joe Hardy 32:24
  18. Chris Harvey 38:21

CLOCKINGS FOR THE JANUARY VIRTUAL 5 KILOMETRES TO BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 31st. ANECDOTES AND PHOTOS ONCE AGAIN WELCOMED.

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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. 

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!

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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 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

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.

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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 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.

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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 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?

Snow on the Cretan White Mountains
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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 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!
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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 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.

A revealing obituary honouring Arthur is to be found under International News in the VRWC ‘Heel and Toe’ Newsletter Number 46 at https://www.vrwc.org.au/newsletters/heelandtoe-2023-num46.pdf. Thanks to editor, Stu Cooper

ARTHUR JONES RIP

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

Tony Taylor

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Training and Coaching Day, Sunday, November 26th

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Tony Taylor

Adrian Edwards – straightened leg on contact

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.

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A Murky Day in Simister: the Club AGM 5 Kilometres

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Tony Taylor
The wonderful Andrea Lennon defying the elements

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, Dan Maskell risked the train lottery on the Brighton line, whilst Tony Bell and Martin Payne crossed the Pennines. Deciding against a yacht handicap where the cards are already on the table, the handicapper threw caution to the wind and despatched the aspirants en bloc.

With so many walkers on the road there were few spare bodies to tackle the officiating, however, step-forward volunteer Chris Harvey who manned the turnaround point in Heaton Park in commanding style dressed all in orange but confusing those who thought Halloween was yesterday. Eric Horwill is an inspiration to us all and despite having to journey from the wilds of Dudley and Stourbridge he arrived in good time to register the finishing times of all participants.

Ken Connor is still learning the ropes and on this occasion didn’t manage to exhibit the correct walking technique so had to be excluded from the final handicap results. Another newcomer, who has no sporting background, came to Simister to see how it’s done. Nigel Shaw, a young 61, walked with some style and will surprise a few people in the next year or so once he has more racing experience. His final time was excellent given he has no racewalking credentials. The rain held off for the majority of the 5k.

The AGM in progress

The AGM followed the usual post-race get-together and incorporated the awarding of prizes to the first 7 in the club’s annual handicap competition, the nomination of individuals to key club posts, the presentation of awards to the individuals assessed to have produced the best individual performance of the year and the best long distance performance.

Roy Gunnett takes the Annual Handicap Trophy from Dave Evans
Ian Hilditch receives the AJ Taylor Award for the year’s outstanding performance from Tony Taylor
Martin Payne receives the Cliff Royle Silver Salver for the best long-distance performance from Dave Evans

Our club has been in existence since 1907 and across the years it has been appropriate to reward long service and outstanding performance with Life Membership. 2023 has seen the awarding of LM to Eric Horwill and John Payn and to round off the year another name was been added to the roll of honour. Tony Taylor has been a catalyst in keeping the club on its feet and on its toes. He has managed the club website from his home in Crete and created a one-stop shop for racewalking for both the club and external arms of the sport. His skills as an orator and activist are well known and his commitment is second to none. He richly deserves this accolade for his communication skills and a career in the sport from the age of 6!

A proud Tony Taylor is honoured with Life Membership

At the close of the AGM, Eric Horwill paid a touching tribute to the late Noel Blatchford and the meeting as a whole sent its best wishes for a speedy recovery to Steve Uttley following his recent operation.


Race results

  1. Ken Connor 27 mins 28
  2. Tony Taylor 29 mins 05
  3. Adrian Edwards 30 mins 40
  4. Tony Bell 31 mins 54
  5. Martin Payne 32 mins 05
  6. Nigel Shaw 32 mins 06
  7. Roy Gunnett 33 mins 02
  8. John Crahan 34 mins 47
  9. Greg Smith 35 mins 32
  10. Sailash Shah 36 mins 15
  11. Joe Hardy 36 mins 33
  12. Dan Maskell 37 mins 14
  13. Pat Evans 37 mins 17
  14. Phil McCullagh 38 mins 16
  15. Ian Hilditch 38 mins 32
  16. Steven Wilde 39 mins 31
  17. Andrea Lennon 43 mins 12

Handicap results

  1. Roy Gunnett 27 mins 02
  2. Tony Taylor 29 mins 05
  3. John Crahan 29 mins 17
  4. Andrea Lennon 29 mins 27
  5. Greg Smith 29 mins 32
  6. Adrian Edwards 30 mins 05
  7. Sailash Shah 30 mins 15
  8. Martin Payne 30 mins 35
  9. Joe Hardy 31 mins 08
  10. Tony Bell 31 mins 14
  11. Dan Maskell 31 mins 14
  12. Phil McCullagh 31 mins 31
  13. 13 Pat Evans 31 mins 32
  14. Steven Wilde 32 mins 31
  15. Ian Hilditch 32 mins 47

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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 been stunned by the passing of Noel Blatchford. Following her brilliant silver medal performance at the Euro Masters championships in Pescara, at the end of September, she became unwell and was hospitalized where it was discovered that she had a stroke. Unfortunately, more were to follow and she passed away on the 20th of October.

The news devastated anyone who had had the privilege of knowing her.  Noel was not only a competitive racewalker; she was a qualified official and carried out duties across the athletic spectrum.  

A Golden double at the 2019 Euro Masters at 10 and 20kms (pictured) which earned her not only the BMAF Outstanding female walker of the year, but the equivalent recognition by the European Masters  Association. 

The tributes below are testament to what a wonderful lady she was. 

Just to say that I appreciate you sending news of the very sad passing of Noel. Apart from being a fine athlete she was a lovely lady who I shared some great conversations with at Donkey Lane. I feel very sad. She will be missed. Diana Braverman 

Terribly sad. Noel was always such an enthusiastic, upbeat, positive lady who radiated enjoyment for everything in life, and racewalking in particular. What a finale, winning that medal, and she would just have been cross, I’m sure, not to have been in the 10k too. Cath Duhig 

We are so shocked to receive the sad news of Noel, such a lovely lady, and so enthusiastic about our sport. We had only just sent her a get well card! When you get news of the funeral details please let us know as we would like to go if at all possible. Kind regards to you and Joan. Pam and Eric Horwill 

I am very sad to learn of the terrible news of Noel’s passing. She achieved…. Great race walking success … this is stunningly bad news. Adrian James 

So sad. Condolences, I have been a colleague on similar trips but couldn’t get off work for Pescara. Great admiration for Noel. Ed Shillabeer c590 

Gosh. That’s so sad. RIP Noel xx. Kathy Smith 

What a shock! A lot of the LWC lads and lasses got to know her through the Masters event in recent years – this is so sad. Tony Taylor 

Please pass our condolences to Andrew. Arthur has no recollection of Noel. I am going through old photos to see if I  can find any to jog his memory – extremely poor these days. Bonita Thomson 

We were sorry to hear the very sad news about Noel and we send our condolences to you and your families. Noel’s cheery smile and her company will be missed at Enfield League walks. Tracey, Tony, George and Callum Wilkinson 

Noel was such a lovely lady, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her, so sad Mark Williams

It is so sad. Kindly let me have Adrian’s address. Dave Annetts 

It is very sad news. If you contact Andrew please tell him how sorry I am to hear this news. Sue Barnett

Sad news indeed. If you receive any further news regarding funeral arrangements, please let me know. Ken Bobbett

What terrible news. Noel was such a lovely person I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling very sad to hear what has happened.I can only send my sympathy to her family and friends. Peter Hannell, Surrey Walking Club

Sorry to hear the news of Noel. Please pass on our condolences as we do not have an address for Andrew. Roger Michell

This screenshot of her performances in this very year gives only a partial insight into her athletic endeavours across the years.

For more background go to this link https://thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=37292 or go to Power of 10 and look up Noel’s profile under Athletes [Women]

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