Firstly, our indefatigible Chair, Dave Evans writes:
This could easily be Dave doing one of the lonely Virtual Series efforts. Ta to Linda M. for the photo.
Club colleagues,
First let me thank everyone who has supported our club Virtual Series and also the World Virtual variation. I know there are colleagues who have given the virtual walks a bye for a whole variety of reasons but as long as you are with us in spirit it’s enough. Tony T, our President in off shore residence, has done a great job stimulating participation from the club in the virtual events and this together with the regular articles on walkers past and present has kept us together. I have been very surprised at just how good some of our regular walkers have been in the early days and but for Tony’s well written presentations their feats would be hidden away in the minds of our oldest members. Very proud to know these were in the colours of the Lancashire Walking club and of course, International vests.
Like others I have mixed my exercise between running, race walking and low level fell walking just to keep a focus over the long winter but within the bounds of the Covid guidelines. I also have a treadmill which has a mind of its own but it certainly helps me to maintain a more correct walking action until it speeds up ! With poor weather it is the ideal substitute for getting drenched outdoors. Having contacted a number of club members across the last couple of months it is clear that none of us have access to really good circuits for training or time trials and in some cases the change of weather outside has complicated suitable courses and underfoot conditions. Recent snowfalls have made walking very precarious and hopefully no one has had any accidents while out training.
Although we are now in the Coronavirus vaccine scenario the likelihood of any live events is still some distance away. Trevor McDermot has promoted some activity days whilst following the Covid guidelines and this workaround has fulfilled the needs of some club walkers . Alas all the present attempts have to be strictly to the EA guidelines and rely on organisers like Trevor and Linda to find a suitable venue which is very difficult at present. We will be keeping in contact with our regular venue accommodation holders but my feeling is that it will be May at the earliest before we hit the road walking at a club level. Chris Pearce rang me recently and sends her very best wishes to club members and will continue to sponsor Fred’s relay and visit our events as time permits.
It would be great to hear from club members so please drop a line to Tony and tell us what you’ve been up to. I think we would also like to hear from colleagues about their walking story. How did you start and where you active in other sports previously. Don’t be shy and share your history with us.
A bit late I know but Happy New Year and let’s hope our first proper get together is not too far away.
Meanwhile our White Rose friend, Guy Goodair challenges us to go orienteering!!
Never seen before! Guy off the ground! Ta to Steve Rush, who had to use superfast shutter speed to catch Guy in mid-air even when running.
In 2019 Judith & I did over 100 orienteering races but last year got in 20 before first lockdown and a further 9 when racing started again briefly in August, so 29 in total. During Lockdown we go out for a walk every day, usually for between 60 and 90 minutes. My son left an exercise bike here when he left home but using it bores me out of my skull so I tend to use it only for Michael Mosley’s ‘Fast Exercise’ which involves a couple of minutes warm-up then speeding up and cranking up the resistance, start to sprint all out for 30 seconds. Lower the resistance and gently pedal for 2 minutes before repeating the sprint again. I can manage about 5 or 6 before I’m completely shattered. I use the bike about 3 times a week
There is an App to download onto your Smartphone called MapRunF
This offers courses all over the country for you to try. You don’t have to run, many people just walk round. There are two types of course – one being linear where you visit points (or controls) in numerical order, the other is a Score where you have a set time, usually 45 or 60 minutes to visit as many controls as you can but you must get back to the start within the time limit.
Select an event then print off a paper copy of the map but also load it onto your phone
Once you’ve download the app onto your phone it will ask you to ‘Select Event’ – scroll down to UK – Manchester – Navvies – your course choice
When you get to the event start some courses are ‘live’ as soon as you get to the start triangle, other will ask for a 4 digit pin number which is shown on the paper map. Once at the start your phone will ‘beep’ the clock starts and you’re off when you get to the first control (although there’s nothing physically there your phone will beep again to record your visit).
Do this all round the course and when you get back to the finish it will show your elapsed time
And at top right of the phone there are 3 bars, click this, and it will ask you to download your result (sometimes you need to go home to do this if the local signal is not strong enough0.
You’ll probably find new parts of an area that you’ve never been to and deciding which way to go to the various controls will keep your brain so occupied you don’t notice the time passing
They have been a welcome diversion and managed we’ve 38 of those with lots still to try.
This orienteering lark looks painful and a touch insane coming down some steep steps in Kendal
Find below two two typical courses to show two different map styles.
Firstly Paul Nihill’s funeral is to take place on Wednesday, January 21 at 1.15 pm.
Zurich, 2 mai 1971, arrivée de Paul Nihill (20km marche), photo Dominique GUEBEY
In normal times I have no doubt there would have been an incredible turnout from the race walking community. As it is the ceremony will be available as a live Webcast on Obitus.
Secondly it grieves me to report the death of yet another giant of our sport, Bernhard ‘Bernd’ Kannenberg of West Germany, the 1972 Olympic 50 kilometres gold medallist. In his day he was widely regarded as one of the great technicians. Sadly he was unable to defend his title in 1976 as the event was dropped from the programme. He gained silver in the 1974 European 20 kilometres championships a bare few seconds behind the legendary Vladimir Golubnichy with our own Roger Mills bravely taking the bronze on a heat-sapping day.
Ta to olympedia.otg
Sincere thanks are due to Peter Matthews of Athletics International for the following statistical information.
Bernhard ‘Bernd’ KANNENBERG (Germany) (b. 20 Aug 1942 Königsberg) died on January 13 at Münster, aged 78. Olympic champion at 50k walk in 1972 (dnf 20k), he was also dnf 20k in 1976. At the Europeans he was 9th at 20k in 1991, 2nd at 20k and 9th at 50k in 1974 and also won the Lugano Trophy 50k in 1973 with 2nd at 20k in 1975, and was FRG champion at 20k in 1972 and 1974-5 and at 50k 1972-3 and 1975. He set six world records: track 20,000m 1:24:45.0, 30,000m 2:12:58.0 and 2 hours 27,153m in 1974, and 30M 3:48:23.4 and 50,000m 3:56:51.4 in 1975; road 3:52:45 in 1972. Further FRG records included 5000m 20:51.0 and 10,000m 41:36.2 in 1972, 1 hour 13,635m & 14,241m in 1974, and 20M 2:30:37.4 in 1975. 26 internationals 1970-6. He became the German walks team coach.
On a personal note I was actually competing in the 20 kilometres track race in Hamburg on May 25, 1974 when Bernd set his world record of 84:45.0. I can speak first hand about that unbelievable performance of relaxed sustained power. He did lap me a number of times! In truth I don’t think I ever recovered from the shock. However it was a humbling privilege to be in Bernd’s presence on that evening.
Bernd Kannenberg WG 84:45.0 [World Record]
Heinz Mayr WG 90:59.4
Roger Mills GB 91:24.2
Olly Flynn GB 92:15.8
Peter Marlow 92:28.8
Tony Taylor GB 94:21.2
Manfred Kolvenbach WG 94:21.4
Siegfried Richter DQ
For the record there was also another record on that evening. Gerhard Weidner broke the 20 miles World Record clocking 2:30:38.6.
Gerhard Weidner WG 2:30:38.6 [World Record]
Heinrich Schubert WG 2:33:33.8
John Warhurst GB 2:34:25.4
Roy Thorpe GB 2:35:44.0
Amos Seddon GB 2:37:35.4
Mike Holmes GB 2:42:01.4
Leo Frey WG 2:44;45.6
Hans Michalski WG 2:47:33.0
Despite Germany’s two world records Great Britain won the match 18 points to 26. Hence I had the consolation of being on the winning team.
However the abiding impression of that balmy May night was Bernd in full flow, utterly majestic.
Thanks to all, who ensured a victorious start to the New Year. We have something to live up to as Virtual racing looks likely to continue for some time.
Roy Gunnett looking immaculate, apart from a bit of a backward lean
MENS AGE GRADED 2KM TEAM 1 Lancashire Walking Club (84.93%) 2 Birchfield Harriers (78.40%) 3 Quickstep Fitness (77.08%) 4 Manx Harriers (73.18%) 5 Sarnia Walking Club (67.47%) 6 Redcar Race Walking Club (43.31%) 7 Yorkshire Race Walking Club (37.55%)
MENS 2KM TEAM 1 Quickstep Fitness (9) 2 Manx Harriers (40) 3 Birchfield Harriers (43) 4 Lancashire Walking Club (48) 5 Sarnia Walking Club (67) 6 Redcar Race Walking Club (191) 7 Yorkshire Race Walking Club (215)
Our team as follows:
Tony Taylor M70 92.24% Lancs WC 10:53.0
Dave Evans M70 83.42% Lancs WC 12:02.0
Greg Smith M65 79.13% Lancs WC 11:56.0
Roy Gunnett M70 72.31% Lancs WC 13:53.0
Martin Payne M60 67.52% Lancs WC 12:50.0
Tony Bell M55 66.21% Lancs WC 12:43.
Thanks to the monitoring of the Series by one of its innovators, John Constandinou, we can note the following involvement, thus far, of our members.
Tony Bell 36 races
Tony Taylor 35 races
Guy Goodair 34 races
Greg Smith 30 races
Stephen Walker 19 races
Martin Payne 15 races
Tony Malone 14 races
Dave Evans 13 races
Roy Gunnett 13 races
Pat Evans 5 races
Chris Harvey 2 races
At the time of writing 316 athletes have been involved in the Series
It’s difficult to believe we’re entering the New Year still haunted by a virus but such is the case. With this in mind we’re suggesting that you might consider undertaking any or all of these challenges in the next few weeks.
Once again we are encouraging you to submit a 3 kilometres clocking for the January edition of our Club Virtual Series – by Tuesday, February 2 at the latest.
It would be great too if you feel able to participate in John and Helen’s weekly World Virtual Series 2k, We’ve a reputation to defend, both as committed supporters of the initiative from the outset and as the leading team in the Age-graded competition.
We’ve been wondering too, how you are managing to stay active and fit in these restricted times? Any thoughts, anecdotes on this subject would be gratefully received and shared.
Finally Martin Payne and Greg Smith kicked off the fascinating issue of race walking shoes a few months ago but we didn’t play ball. I’ve been thinking about this more recently. The first that I remember were a pair of leather cycling shoes, to which my dad added a heel. It would be more than interesting to hear more about the diversity of shoes worn by our members across the years.
Norman Walsh was crafting made-to-meaure race walking shoes in the 1970s
Taking our cue from John and Helen’s initiative in commemorating great race walkers within the Virtual 2k Series I thought it would be fitting if each of our monthly races drew attention to stalwarts from the past.
No apologies for featuring again this lovely photo of Frank with Chris Bolton in the Bradford 50 kilometres – not an Open 7!
The first of these is Frank O’Neill, for years the club’s meticulously organised Secretary, in keeping with someone who was the bursar of the Padgate Teacher Training College. Given the tragic loss of many of our club records the first mention of Frank is to be found in the July 1942 Race Walking Record, unearthed by Ron Wallwork. He was 19th in the 40th Bradford and County Walk on May 29th. I suspect my first encounter with Frank was on October 6th, 1953 at the Hindley Green Labour Club, where a 6 miles club race was won by Joe Barraclough in 46:50. In addition my dad, Alf Taylor organised a couple of races for aspiring youngsters. At the age of 6 I was 3rd in the 3/4 mile event for 6-8 year olds and amazingly still have the medal to prove it!
By the early 1960’s Frank was undoubtedly for me a key figure, particularly as his wonderful Edwardian terraced house in Worsley was a second club headquarters, the enormous bay-windowed front room on the third floor being our changing facility. Every year the club’s 6 miles in the Hour Badge event was held from the house on an out and back course, followed by tea and luscious scones baked by Mary, Frank’s gentle wife. More significantly, especially across the winter, a Tuesday evening training session was held in the dark[!] on the very same roads. Today the halfway point on the way there and back is a frantic roundabout access to and exit from a spaghetti junction of motorways. Nowadays you could be stuck there for longer than it took to complete the 6 miles race1
By chance I could get to Frank’s from Leigh on the Number 26 service to Manchester so when possible I seized the chance. This said I must admit that my motivation was not altogether athletic. I was infatuated with Frank’s two beautiful daughters. Hence I only left the house, its warm, cosy dining kitchen and its two adorable occupants as the last bus home drew up outside!
Frank was never an outstanding athlete but his contribution to the club was enormous. He went about his business unassumingly yet ‘professionally’, especially in his role as timekeeper and recorder in the later years. All of us owe a deep debt of gratitude to Frank for his unsung contribution across the decades to the health and vitality of our great club.
Ron Wallwork writes:
This piece rekindled many happy memories. We didn’t realise at the time just how much Frank and so many others put into the club. I’ve come across some of them in results from 1913 (Sam Morgan), and early 1920’s (Joe Lambert). Frank’s home was also an easy trip for me too, because it was on the No 12 Bolton / Manchester route and stopped almost opposite his house. My first visit to Worsley Road was 6th December 1958 for a 10 miles handicap which was won by Matt Clarke 71.22 (in his 70’s I think) off 42.20 from Jack Sankey 74.10 off 5.00 and Bob Turnbull 74.47 off 20.00. It must have been a short course because Jack and I went under 80 mins and we weren’t that good at that time. Also of note: Frank qualified as Centurion 136 in the 1947 London – Brighton race the 7th Club member to do so.
Roy Gunnett writes:
Drawing on Harold Ogden’s file the address of the Edwardian terraced was 294 Worsley Road. Evidently Frank had a distinguished war record, serving as a Quarter Master Sergeant with the Intelligence Corps in Holland and Belgium. Apparently he was known for giving away whatever rations he could to the poor children of those countries. There were three daughters, Irene, Kathryn and Wynne.
Any other memories of Frank gratefully received and will be added.
THE FRANK O’NEILL 3 KILOMETRES VIRTUAL RACE
SCRATCH
Tony Taylor 16:36
Marco Bernatzki 18:59 [G]
Graham Jackson 19:00 [G]
Tony Bell 19:43
Greg Smith 19:49
Denis Jackson 19:52 [G]
Dave Evans 19:56
Martin Payne 19:57
Roy Gunnett 20:00
Ian Hilditch 20:08
Pat Evans 20:15
Joe Hardy 20:50
Glyn Jones 22:04 [G]
Andrea Lennon 25:52
HANDICAP
Martin putting us all to shame by submitting a Xmas ‘selfie’ – even if it’s indoors!
We enter the New Year in top spot in the Age-Graded competition. Let’s continue our commitment whilst, hoping upon hope, that 2021 will bring ‘live’ racing sooner rather than later.
Tony Bell, a stalwart across the Virtual Series
Virtual League Racing Series – Race 40 – Peter Fullager Memorial Race
MENS AGE GRADED 2KM TEAM 1 Lancashire Walking Club (83.82%) 2 Birchfield Harriers (78.12%) 3 Quickstep Fitness (71.58%) 4 Manx Harriers (52.27%) 5 Sarnia Walking Club (45.61%) 6 Redcar Race Walking Club (42.74%)
MENS 2KM TEAM 1 Birchfield Harriers (34) 2 Lancashire Walking Club (47) 3 Quickstep Fitness (48) 4 Manx Harriers (161) 5 Redcar Race Walking Club (188) 6 Sarnia Walking Club (194)
When recently gathering information about LWC’s National Team successes I noticed that Wakefield H too had enjoyed a national championship purple patch at the back end of the sixties. The recent award of the A.J.Taylor trophy to Guy Goodair prompted me to salute him and his club-mates. In the three year span 1967 to 1969, Guy was a scoring member of Wakefield’s team, which in addition to two top six finishes, won five national team medals, the Milan Trophy and in the process Guy also occupied a top eight individual spot on three occasions.
1967National 10 miles at Bolton on 18th March
Bronze: Guy Goodair 11th/78.19, George Barras 15th/79.50, Roy Thorpe 21st/80.25, John Hampshire 48th/ 83.53 were the scorers. J Barraclough 89th/87.56, Ken Newson 122nd/94.02 and Ken Bingley 127th/92.25 also took part.
182 started, Belgrave H and Trowbridge AC occupied the top two team places whilst the individual medallists were Ron Wallwork 75.35, Shaun Lightman 75.43 and Arthur Jones 76.10.
George and Guy hammer and tongs in the Blackpool
On 24th June George 8.03.15 and Guy 8.03.27 finished runner-up and third in the Manchester-Blackpool
National 50km at Redditch on 22nd July
Bronze: Guy Goodair 7th/4.50.24, Roy Thorpe 13th/4.56.40, L.Monkton 19th/5.02.40, John Hampshire 30th/5.18.32. Hot humid conditions and a stiff three lap undulating course proved to be too much for thirty of the 88 starters. The real heroes that day were George Barras 35th/5.24.36, Brian Marsland 43rd/5.34.54, Ken Bingley 54th/5.49.15 and J.Croll 58th/5.56.45 who stuck it out, and because they did, Wakefield in addition to winning team bronze also won the prestigious MILAN TROPHY.
The Milan trophy was won by a British long-distance team in Italy and presented by the British amateur Athletic Board to the RWA and is awarded to the club first finishing its complete team of eight in the RWA 50km championship. It was first contested in 1962.
88 started, Belgrave H and Trowbridge AC occupied the top two team places whilst Shaun Lightman 4.26.56, Ray Middleton 4.33.28 and Don Thompson 4.34.16 took the individual honours.
1968National 50km at Ewell, Surrey on 20th July.
Bronze: Guy Goodair 8th/4.47.45, R.Manning 17th/5..02.54, Roy Thorpe 21st/5.06.39, John Hampshire 43rd/5.31.11
This race was the trial for the Mexico Olympic games and was the first time a short multiple course had been used in England. It was twelve laps and was dictated by road conditions in the area. It was not an easy course with a long climb up Reigate Road on each lap.
89 started, Belgrave H and Metropolitan WC occupied the top two team places whilst Paul Nihill 4.18.59, Brian Ely 4.22.16 and Shaun Lightman 4.23.17 took the individual honours.
On 29th June Guy 8.09.39 and George 8.14.52 had finished runner-up and third in the Manchester-Blackpool and along with Roy Thorpe 8.35.15 and J.Grayson 9.28.41 won the team race. R.Manning 19.56.20 also found time to qualify as a Centurion in the Leicester – Skegness 100 on 2/3rd August.
1969National 20 miles at South Croydon on 14th June
Silver: Roy Thorpe 13th/3.00.40, George Barras 16th/3.02.24, Guy Goodair 18th/3.03.19, J.Grayson* 28th/3.12.15 were the scorers with E.Lee* 29th/3.12.40 and Ken Bingley 73rd/3.39.05 backing up.
A very hilly course on the warmest Saturday of the year was factor for 29 of the 137 starters who failed to finish.
137 started, Belgrave H were the team winners and Coventry Godiva H finished third whilst Paul Nihill 2.44.51, Brian Ely 2.46.24 and Bill Sutherland 2.48.45 took the individual honours.
Guy [1[ leads George [2] with Derek Harding [10]. Derek officiated at LWC club races for many years.
On 28th June George 8.13.35 after two years in the minor placings finally won the Manchester – Blackpool with Guy 8.15.07 in second place heading an impressive team win. Guy’s turn to taste victory would be four years later in 1973 clocking 8.07.45. (See LWC website for Guy’s Manchester – Blackpool recollections.
National 50km at Redditch on 19th July
Silver: Guy Goodair 8th/4.36.56, Roy Thorpe 19th/4.59.38, E.Lee 23rd/ 5.03.17 , John Hampshire 40th/5.14.50.
The race was held over the one used two years previously and proved to be a faster race with 19 bettering five hours and the leaders who competed in 1967 all produce faster times.
111 started, Belgrave H were the team winners and Bristol AC finished third whilst Brian Ely 4.19.13, Shaun Lightman 4.24.58 and P.Klopfer (USA ) 4.25.04 took the individual honours
*E.Lee 21.10.37 and *J.Grayson 23.19.52 also found time to qualify as a Centurion in the Leicester – Skegness 100 on 2/3rd August.
Thirteen walkers made up the scoring squad over the period, eight of them were Centurions. In alphabetical order they were: J.Barraclough c382, George Barras c361, Ken Bingley, J.Croll, Guy Goodair c327, J.Grayson c432 John Hampshire c325, E.Lee c429, R.Manning c 415 ,Brian Marsland, L.Monkton, K.Newsome and Roy Thorpe c381.
Ron would be interested to hear from anyone who can correct errors he might have made, supply first names etc..
His historical burrowing is deeply appreciated and most revealing.
Thanks to all the team as we regain our top spot in the last race of the year. In the absence of Ian Richards and Bob Care, I make a rare appearance as leader of the Age-graded competition.
And there’s still time to submit your 3k time for the Club December Virtual Series – deadline extended to midnight, Tuesday, January 5 – especially for submissions accompanied by a seasonal ‘selfie’!
Virtual League Racing Series – Race 39 – Christmas
Leading a line of walkers a few years ago in the BMAF 5k at Horwich. Ta to Linda McDermot.
MENS AGE GRADED 2KM TEAM 1 Lancashire Walking Club (83.32%) 2 Birchfield Harriers (79.48%) 3 Manx Harriers (75.84%) 4 Sarnia Walking Club (70.99%) 5 Quickstep Fitness (69.05%) 6 Redcar Race Walking Club (41.69%)
MENS 2KM TEAM 1 Birchfield Harriers (26) 2 Manx Harriers (27) 3 Lancashire Walking Club (42) 4 Sarnia Walking Club (45) 5 Quickstep Fitness (70) 6 Redcar Race Walking Club (191)
Thanks to club stalwart, Chris Bolton for this gradely New Year message. Here’s hoping that sooner rather than later we will be savouring Sailash’s quirky humour in the dressing room, relishing racing once more against Dave’s handicapping, all ahead of indulging in Pat’s always excellent post-race buffet.
And to send us forth smiling into the New Year here’s a lovely photo of charismatic Jack Tempest finishing in front of his admiring public – probably taken in the 1950s.
Thanks to Harold Ogden
CLUB FIXTURES 2021
Given the latest COVID prognosis and the tiered retrictions the first two fixtures of the New Year are cancelled. Obviously we will keep reporting back to you as to what the future holds in terms of club events
FEBRUARY 8 – SAM SHOEBOTTOM 10K at SIMISTER [CANCELLED]
MARCH 8 – ALISON TROPHY 15K at CHORLEY [CANCELLED]
APRIL 3 – MACCLESFIELD SHIELD 10 MILES at SUTTON
MAY 8 – DAVE CROMPTON MEMORIAL 7 MILES at CHORLEY
JUNE 8 – DICK AND ZENA SMITH TROPHY 10 & 5K TRACK at BURY
JUNE 20 – BMAF 5K at HORWICH
JULY 3 – BARNARD TROPHY 10K at SUTTON
JULY 25 – FRED PEARCE TROPHY RELAY 3x 5K
AUGUST 15 – GOODWIN CUP 10K at CHORLEY
SEPTEMBER 4 – LAMBERT TROPHY ONE HOUR TRACK at BURY
OCTOBER 2 – ALBERT RIGBY SHIELD 10K at SUTTON
NOVEMBER 6 – CLUB AGM 5K at SIMISTER
DECEMBER 4 – DICK MAXWELL MEMORIAL TROPHY 10K at SIMISTER
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POSTSCRIPT
I’m endeavouring to keep a New Year’s Resolution not to mention bloody COVID for 24 hours!!
