Apologies for the late appearance of this report. Some action photos now added – thanks to Chris Pearce and Greg Smith
Joe Hardy and Dan Maskell reunited
Dave Evans reports:
Chris Pearce with the winning team. Thanks to Greg Smith for the photo.
The rescheduled Fred Pearce relay took place against a background of yellow weather warnings across most of the UK and most attendees faced fairly hazardous conditions travelling to and from the venue. With quite a number of club members unable to attend it was decided to reprogramme the relay into a straight 5k race designing teams of 3 with an appropriate time handicap in their respective lockers. No competitors knew who was in their team until the post race buffet and the presentation.
Great to see Dan back on the road
Martin Payne led the field out to the turnaround and came into the finish a comfortable 83 seconds ahead of Roy Gunnett. I understand Martin and Pat Evans both suffered a drenching from a passing motorist on route but were probably already pretty wet by then. It was very pleasing to welcome Dan Maskell for the first time for quite a few years, still displaying a fine walking style. He was pleasantly surprised with his time.
Andrea suitably attired
Many thanks to Sailash for manning the halfway point and Irene Pike for helping with the recording . Chris Harvey, our club president , joined many of the walkers in the last quarter mile or so to encourage them in. Nice gesture.
Our steadfast timekeepers with Joe
Refuge from the storm – the sumptuous buffet. Ta to Greg Smith
Chris Pearce presented walkers and helpers with a sumptuous buffet and 3 excellent prizes.
Results 1. Roy Gunnett 34:25, Joe Hardy 36:19, Pat Evans 37:48. 108 mins 32 2. Martin Payne 33:48, Dan Maskell 37:17, Ian Hilditch 41:36. 108:41(after 4:00 min h/cap) 3. Greg Smith 35:56, Andrea Lennon 46:14. Plus credit handicap adjustment of 27:30 109 mins 40.
Because our next race was to be at Macclesfield on 4th October and has had to be cancelled because of a family funeral involving our host, the next event will be the club AGM at Simister on 1st November 2025. Club members are reminded to put forward their nominations for long distance performer of the year and best performance at any distance.
Young Fred surrounded by a group of indebted admirers
Everything is in place for a highlight of the year, the Fred Pearce Memorial relay. As normal the event will be held from the Lady Wilton Hall, Simister, Manchester M25 2SB. Following the intrusion of OASIS we were forced to move the event to this coming Saturday, September 20th. The hall will be open from 11.30 a.m. and the race will start at 1.00 p.m. We will be using the new course – for details see https://lancswalkingclub.com/2024/12/10/defying-the-elements-at-the-xmas-handicap/
As ever it would be very helpful if you could let Dave Evans know if you are attending and in what capacity – dave.evans08@hotmail.co.uk
Congratulations to Simon Gawne, winner of the MFX Limited End to End Walk 2025. A dominant walk on a day that always promised to be exceptionally challenging and which didn’t disappoint.
Taking the honors in the Ladies Race and joint 3rd overall,with a superb walk, Helen Davies.
Total respect to each and every competitor who turned up on the start line, knowing what the Manx weather was destined to unleash on them.
136 official finishers and two chaps who missed the cut off and in torrential rain and howling wind, still made it to the Sound. Rewriting the definition of determination.
The 2025 Edition of the MFX Limited End to End Walk will be remembered for a while!!
To absolutely everyone involved in yesterday’s event, THANK YOU!!
The presentation is on Thursday 18th at Vagabonds Rugby Club starting at 7pm. Charity raffle in aid of Manx Heart Foundation with a top prizes donated by the Steam Packet and Chris at Up & Running!!
Photo’s will be uploaded to Facebook over the next few days.
Roll on Sunday 13th September 2026.
The MFX Limited End to End Walk Committee.
TOM BOSWORTH RACE WALKING EVENT, SEPTEMBER 27th, LEEDS
Tom reports:
I’m delighted to announce that we have Olympic race walker Diego Garcia, as well as international race walkers Cameron Corbishley and Bethan Davies racing at my event on 27th September!
Running mile races and race walkers mile races for all age groups and seniors.
2pm 27th September. Leeds Beckett university Headingley Campus athletics track.
All walk entries include after party BBQ at Weetwood Hall Hotel, Headingley.
Several people, including Dave Ainsworth and Roy Gunnett, have picked up on this grainy, enthralling video of the Mexico 50 kilometres filmed by the great Larry Young’s father, Robert. Larry was to finish up on the podium in third spot. The conjecture ever since has been whether Paul Nihill could have challenged Hohne if the race had been held the day before in torrential rain!
It’s well worth 17 minutes of your time.
Paul Nihill and Christopher Hohne were together at halfway in 2:10:27.
At a venue in a quiet suburb of Manchester where two young athletes had just broken the famous 4 minute mile the Lancashire walking club promoted its One Hour track race. Historically the one hour event was held to give walkers a chance of winning a special accreditation for walking a set distance in an hour. This was no different but age takes it toll and winning or placing in an event takes preference.
Glyn presses on ahead of Ian and Roy
Tony on his way to victory
Tony Bell confirmed his present good form by outpacing his regular rivals with a very disciplined attack on 9k which he missed by less than 90 metres. It was satisfying to see the return of Sailash Shah to competition , looking strong, and John Crahan who gives everything from a background of athletics field events.
Great to see Sailash back in the groove
John looking aggrieved at Pat’s arrival on his shoulder!
Martyn, feet firmly planted
Pleased to see Chris Bolton at the race and many thanks to Chris Harvey, Greg Smith and Irene Pike for lap recording.
Chris, Irene and another older Chris keeping tabs on the afternoon’s efforts
Results
1. Tony Bell 8918 metres 2. Martin Payne 8676 metres 3. Roy Gunnett 8597 metres 4. Sailash Shah 7881 metres 5. Glyn Jones 7754 metres 6. Joe Hardy 7708 metres 7. Pat Evans 7694 metres 8.John Crahan 7245 metres 9. Ian Hilditch 6890 metres
Roy ignoring the cost of the other weekend’s 50 miles
Dave adds:
Tony walked the legs off the rest of the field but Martin and Roy had a ding dong for most of the race. Roy hasn’t long completed a 50 mile at the Centurions 100 so did remarkably well to stay in contention for most of the 1 hour. Sailash looks a lot better than in previous years. He’s had an injury which has taken 12 months to heal.
Tony receives the Lambert trophy from Dave
Banksy seems to get everywhere
Thanks as ever to Greg Smith for the excellent and unusual photos.
Given the rich history of our club in the classic Centurion challenge to walk 100 miles in 24 hours – indeed we share joint second place with Leicester WC on 41 behind Surrey WC, a magnificent 76 with regard to the number of members, who have achieved this feat – we are obliged to report on the recent Anniversary Hundred from a Lancashire perspective. Thanks are due to Roy Gunnett for his thoughts and to Greg Smith for the images.
A packed home straight
Some thoughts and observations on the 100 race at Lewes August 16th/17th
The weather prior to the day of the race was scorching hot. I noticed the car thermometer was showing 32c on the drive down on Friday to Lewes. It made me think we were probably going to have to contend with such weather during the race the following day.
Luckily, however, the temperature by Saturday had fallen considerably and was ideal for the start of the race. Ironically, the only weather problem was not the heat, rather a very chilly Saturday night.
The race started at the Lewes track at noon on Saturday August 16th. There were 40 entrants drawn from around the world. As usual there was a particularly strong Dutch contingent.
Roy with Sue Clements in close contact
It was great having Martin Fisher as a Lancashire Walking Club partner in the race. Martin had come along with Phil Carroll who acted as his attendant.
I could not have had a more experienced club partner than Martin – with his record of 27 completed centurion races. This is the highest number of finishes for a UK man, only surpassed by Sandra Brown.
Roy nearing 50 kilometres
Overall, I was pleased to get to 50 miles in the race. The first 50k I did without a break. I then stopped for a while to change my shoes and regain some energy. My next target was to reach 50 miles. I eventually achieved this my doing the following 19 miles in 3 stages with a break between each stage.
Once I made it to the 50 mile point I was all in and could go no further.
As you would expect Martin put in a sterling performance. He was still going strong at the 24 hour point, clocking up nearly 80 miles.
Frank van der Gulik and Martin
One of the benefits of a track race is that you get continual encouragement, namely from the other competitors, the helpers around the track and the spectators. You also have feed and drink facilities always on hand and, most importantly for a man of my vintage, ample Portaloos!
The vital source of support
John Lees and Dave Ainsworth gave a splendid commentary throughout the race on the loudspeaker system. Both Dave and John are walking encyclopaedias of the sport and they imparted some fascinating stories and anecdotes from the past.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those that helped me on my walk, in particular an enormous thank you to Phil Carrol, Sailash Shah and Greg Smith off the track and Martin Fisher on the track. Without their support and encouragement, I would have found it considerably more difficult, if not impossible.
One of the pleasures in taking part in these events is that you get a ring side seat to watch the other competitors. Jonathon Hobbs, the first Britain home, walked superbly throughout.
Jonathan Hobbs on his way to a third national title – apologies not sure of photographer
Towards the end there were some great displays of guts and determination from the walkers straining to complete the 100 before the clock struck 12 on Sunday.
Heading into the evening sun
Another enjoyable feature of the weekend was the relay that took part alongside the 100. The relay competitors used the outside lanes. It was great to see so many Centurions taking part in this relay, a real ‘Who’s Who’ from the past. They included from our own club Ron Wallwork and Chris Bolton.
The legendary Richard Brown doing his bit in the relayThe club immortal, Ron Wallwork with Martin
Chatting to Martin Fisher after the race we both agreed it was a great weekend and, most importantly, we had fun.
Roy Gunnett
Martin Fisher adds:
Roy and I had great time at the weekend and were proud to represent the club..I will send through a little report when I return home….I will also send through some details for next year’s the Nijmegen to Rotterdam. It’s a steady group walk 160km and the RMV club who organise this event would like to see Lancashire walkers there…let’s see if there’s interest.
And if the flesh was willing I’m sure Chris Bolton, who was the oldest living Centurion at Lewes, would be first in line – remember he’s finished 19 Nijmegens!
In another moment of nostalgia here’s Chris’s account of his 1961 achievement, taken from the excellent Centurions 1911 website
My Story
In May 1957 I went to Blackpool to watch the finish of the Manchester to Blackpool relay race. This was an eleven man relay featuring the best running clubs from the Midlands and North of England. It was there that I met Vic Murray who told me that each year he walked Manchester to Blackpool, a distance of 51.75 miles. I couldn’t believe anyone could walk that far; he then told me that he had walked 100 miles within 24 hours and was Centurion No. 256. At that moment ambition was born and I knew that I wanted to be a Centurion. Four weeks later, aged eighteen and with no training or preparation I stood on the start line at 6-15 am to walk from Manchester to Blackpool. With only the confidence and ignorance of youth I kept with Vic for forty miles. At that point I decided to retire and a message was sent a car to pick me up. After sitting at the side of the road for forty minutes I realised that the message must have gone astray and as one of last walkers passed (Billy Watson C146) I decided to join him and finish the race. In the end I finished in 11 hours and 3 minutes, just behind Billy but in last place. Well that certainly wasn’t am auspicious start but I was hooked. Five years later I finished the Manchester to Blackpool Walk in fourth position and led Lancashire Walking Club to the Team Title. Seven days later I qualified as a Centurion, finishing together with Brian Howarth and Paddy Dowling, and I would be forever grateful for the chance meeting with Vic Murray. On crossing the finishing line I was the youngest Centurion at that moment, not the youngest ever. However 48 minutes later Davey Moncrieff of Sheffield crossed the line and he was three months younger than I was so that distinction didn’t last long.
Chris Bolton
Chris at the track side in the gaudy shirt
Perhaps someone could have a go at putting names to the faces!?
Grateful thanks to Brian Boggenpoel for the two photos of the Social Walk around the sites of Lewes.
A quick note to confirm that the Bury One Hour race will take place on Saturday, September 6th, starting at 1.00 p.m. The venue will be open from noon.
Bury Athletics Club, Market St, Bury BL9 9FX
As ever it would be very helpful if you could let Dave Evans know if you are attending and in what capacity – dave.evans08@hotmail.co.uk
Forgive the late notice and brevity but I seem to be on a merry-go-round of medical appointments following a somewhat melodramatic collapse at home a few weeks ago. At this moment no one can put their finger on the reason, despite all manner of tests. I don’t like to think so but perhaps it’s the village red!!
However to whet your appetite for a forthcoming Lancashire focus on the recent Hundred in Lewes, here are a couple of great photos taken by Greg Smith.
Martin Fisher striding outRoy ‘Shades’ Gunnett looking cool in the evening sunshine
Roger Michell C724, Surrey WC takes charge, conveying pre-race instruction and firing the start in a traditional manner
Steve Kemp, C1075 reports:
Attached are results for the 100 miles and also the relay.
The Commemorative Relay Challenge attracted nearly 60 participants including 24 Centurions as part of the Centurions team, plus a further 2 representing their clubs.
Teams from the Centurions, Surrey Walking Club, Steyning AC and Tonbridge AC all completed the 100 lap relay, with teams from RWA/ Lewes, RWV and an open team completing almost another 50 laps between them. Some Centurions went on to do further laps as part of their club team.
Bart de Vries, the victorLoes van Bremen, an outstanding debutante points to the camera!
List of Centurions, who participated in the Commemorative Relay challenge
Chris Bolton C332, John Lees C488, Jack Rose C517, Dave Ainsworth C540, Charlie Bean C555, Tony Perkins C685, Roger Michell C724, Sandra Brown 735, Richard Brown C760, Steve Till C768, Carol Killick C793, Phil Carroll C794, Chris Flint C849, Colin Bradley C853, Janette Bean C875, Ron Wallwork C893, Parminder Bhatti C909, Gijs den Ouden C911, Kevin Perry C912, Chris Cattano C963, Dave Jones C987, Kim Howard C1020, Ian Richards C1064, Steve Kemp C1075, Steve Allen C1102, John Borgars C1170.
Three new (Dutch) Centurions: Bart de Vries, Centurion 1223 and overall winner, Marco van Heel, Centurion 1224 and Loes van Bremen, Centurion 1225 and fastest lady. Bart won the Hew Neilson Trophy and the Bill King Memorial Trophy, Jonathan Hobbs won the Hammond Trophy, Loes took the Bristol Trophy, the Rotterdamse Wandelsport Vereniging RWV won the Sunday Dispatch Trophy and the Dutch Centurions defeated the British Centurions for the Ko van der Kwaak Cup. Ignace Matthys won the Eddy McNeir Trophy. Frank van de Gulik completed his 19th British 100 miles race, a record he now shares with Gerrit de Jong, Centurion 456. Saturday the weather was ideal, followed by a cold night and a hot Sunday morning. Almost three quarters of all athletes did not finish.
Frans Leijtens with Martin Fisher
From a Lancashire point of view, Chris Bolton, the oldest Centurion present and Ron Wallwork contributed to the Relay, whilst Roy Gunnett and Martin Fisher did themselves proud, given their relative lack of preparation. We hope a future post will contain their personal memories of the grand day.
Beaming in brotherhood, Roy Gunnett and Martin Fisher
A couple of comments from Facebook to close but, all being well, more to come.
Richard Brown – Thanks to everyone for a wonderful celebration of the Centurions 100th 100 mile event. The relay was so inclusive as young and not so young all joined in. Thanks especially to Peter Selby for your magnificent organisation . What fun and memories we all shared.
Sophie Watterson-Jones – I just wanted to say how lovely it was to see the walking community come together and support one another!! Thanks especially to the Dutch crew who were absolutely superb ❤️ lovely to meet you all and hope everyone is recovering well!
Special thanks to Frans Leijtens and Veronica Leijtens for the photos and their incredible commitment to the Centurion tradition.
With this great event looming in just a few days it is timely to pay tribute to two Centurions with Northern, even Lancashire connections.
Paul Briggs 25th March 1943 – 26th August 2023
I must confess to being shocked to discover that Paul, Yorkshire Race Walking Club coursing through his veins, had died almost two years ago.
Indeed, ironically, I found out through Dave Ainsworth, the editor of Essex Walker, who was seeking to confirm if Paul, one of our sport’s great characters, had in fact passed away. Finding this to be the case and having been in touch with Mazhar Ellahi, the executor of Paul’s will, Dave,C540, penned this obituary.
CENTURION 431 PAUL BRIGGS
Although hailing from the north he made several appearances down south and relished the challenge of a London-to-Brighton walk, in which he had the kudos of being a sub-10 hours finisher. Paul qualified in the 1969 Leicester 24 Hours’ track race (won by the late Colin Young). Paul reached 101 miles 888 yards in 24 hours, passing 100 miles in 22:24.50. The drama didn’t quite end there as, both C430 Paul Sargent (a former Centurions Hon.Treasurer whose son M.Sargent is C542) & 431 Paul Briggs had been awarded wrong badges, as they’d been allocated in the order names appeared on a final result sheet. Not until 1997 when the Watts’ brothers researched facts for their 1997 Centurions Handbook was it discovered that although P.Sargent finished ahead of P.Briggs at 24 hours, going back through lap scoring sheets it was realised Mr. Briggs was ahead of Mr.Sargent when passing 100 miles. In view of time elapsed (1969-to-1997) it was decided each would retain their badges as originally presented. An fuller explanation of these circumstances and eventual outcome is on Page 74 of The Centurions 1997 Handbook; and also on Page 77 of a 2011 Centurions Handbook. Paul attended The Centurions AGM when in Leeds. In a 1974 Leicester-to-Skegness 100 miles Paul competed without an attendant – at about 5.15am in the “middle of nowhere” going through Lincolnshire, Hon.Ed. overtook Paul, who was suffering badly in the cold and almost at a stop – even in August it can get cold during night times. Hon.Ed. removed his track suit bottoms and handed them to Paul. He donned them and it helped get warmth back into his legs and got him going again, to finish about half-and-hour behind the garment’s owner! Race referee Bill Bell RIP had permitted tracksuit bottoms to be worn during the night. His death is a late notification of a lovely man who really loved his race walking with Yorkshire WC. Paul Briggs R.I.P.
Thinking about Paul, I venture our paths first crossed in March 1968 at the Northern Senior 10 miles championship held in the village of Holloway, near Matlock. Both of us were privileged to be on the same road as the legendary Roland Hardy of Sheffield United Harriers in the twilight of his momentous career. He finished second to the rising star, Jake Warhurst. I managed to make the top ten and Paul was 30th.
From thence on, whenever we met, he was the first to inquire about how things were going and always the bearer of encouragement. Later in 1968 at the end of June I began to repay his concern with sponge and drinks in hand as he took on the challenge of the Manchester- Blackpool race. It was the first of the many times I sought to support Paul’s efforts. His style was distinctive as was his wardrobe, his head often adorned with his favourite Legionnaire’s neck guard. In this particular contest he finished just behind our very own Chris Bolton.
He was a gentle soul, the salt of the earth, highly regarded by everyone in the sport from north to south. It was a privilege to have known him and to feel he was a friend.
Chris Bolton – Paul was certainly a lovely man and a stalwart of YWC. I’m sorry I don’t have any photos, only memories.
I was aware of the numbers mix up, I was at the Leicester track walk as a helper.
It is amazing that Paul carried on for twenty four hours after passing 100 miles He must have been knackered since the last one and a half miles took him over one and a half hours. I’m afraid I have no memory of that since I was looking after John Grayson of Wakefield who was also struggling to keep moving.
Guy Goodair – He was a great unsung hero of our sport
CENTURION 899 IAN GARMSTON
The story of Ian’s departure to ‘pastures new’ is taken once again from the Essex Walker and the pen of Dave Ainsworth. Thanks as ever.
This magical photo shows Ian and Ron Wallwork about to add the Manchester-Blackpool race to their preparations for the 1992 Leicester 100 miles.
We identified the official RWA Manchester to Blackpool walk as a useful fifty miler. Aiming for less than 12 hours on our feet. I cannot remember my time. It doesn’t matter. What I do remember is catching sight of Blackpool Tower as a feature the size of my thumb on the horizon. A number of hours later, I was walking along the prom to the finish. Still being careful to keep my leading leg straight, and watching for lurking judges, but certain I was now having a go at this Centurion thingy, come what may. It was probably during the evening, as we all enjoyed fish and chips, gazing at the sea, that I told Ron I would be joining him. Training then became far more focussed as the months rolled closer to the main event.
It’s well worth reading afresh or for the first time, Ian’s eloquent memory.
Looking ahead to this weekend at Lewes our club will be represented by Martin Fisher, C788 and Roy Gunnett. Martin is something of a legend, having completed at least 30 Hundreds! Roy will not be short of advice! In attendance and support will be Chris Bolton, C332, achieved in 1962.
Martin C788 with Chris Flint C849
Chris C332, no.17 on the prom finishing the Blackpool – I’m standing on the pavement, John Todd on the bike with Maurice Ireland on the road behind Chris. I suspect this is 1962.
BEST WISHES FROM THE CLUB TO ALL THE COMPETITORS, NOT LEAST MARTIN AND ROY
The scene was set for a battle between specialists on a very testing course giving the endurance walker an edge on the uphills and the “sprinter” the advantage on the downhills. Tony Bell regularly fills either winner or runner up spot in club races and this was no different , however, Martin Payne also has flat speed but in recent times has concentrated on marathon plus distances. At the 1 mile checkpoint Tony had the initiative but Martin was clearly just sitting in.
Martin focused despite the beauty of the settingRoy adding a few miles before the Hundred!
Roy Gunnett was in the bronze position and most of the remaining walkers all within sight of each other. At halfway (5k)the eventual winner had stretched his lead to 13 seconds with some slope assisting terrain still to negotiate.
Joe with a smile on his face or is it a grimace?
Rain was forecast for the race time but it never really appeared. Most aspirants achieved a faster second half.
Phil showing good form
RESULTS Scratch
Tony Bell 68:43(11:11/34:36)
Martin Payne 69:23(11:13/34:49)
Roy Gunnett 75:54(11:33/37:52)
Phil McCullagh 76:06(12:23/38:57)
Joe Hardy 78:23(12:22/39:57)
Pat Evans 79:02(12:48/40:18)
Greg Smith 87:32(13:10/44:45)
Andrea Lennon 49:05(14:27) raced 5k
Handicap
A lovely photo of two smiling race walkers as Roy receives the Goodwin Trophy
Roy Gunnett 63:09
Phil McCullagh 63:36
Joe Hardy 65:23
Pat Evans 65:32
Martin Payne 66:52
Tony Bell 67:08
Greg Smith 75:47
Andrea Lennon
Age-graded
Pat continues to dominate the age-graded categoryMust be something in the Chorley air, Andrea is smiling too!
Pat Evans 79.42%
Joe Hardy 76.99%
Roy Gunnett 74.64%
Andrea Lennon 72.56%
Martin Payne 69:18%
Tony Bell 67.69%
Phil McCullagh 65.22%
Greg Smith 60:52%
Finally thanks to Sailash Shah who policed the race headquarters while we were away enabling the race to be run(walked)to timetable.
Gratitude as ever to Greg Smith for the photos with his apology that there is not one of Tony Bell, who was too quick for the camera.
Lancashire Walking Club : Health The First Wealth 