ALISON TROPHY AND KEN MUNRO TROPHY RESULTS PLUS HOMAGE TO KEITH FRENCH

Posted on March 29, 2019 by

ALISON TROPHY 15 KILOMETRES, 9th MARCH AT CHORLEY

Roy Gunnett reports:

The Alison Trophy race was held over the usual hilly course comprising a mile out followed by 3 laps and then a mile home. Following a morning of very strong winds and heavy rain, all were pleased that the weather had abated by race time to be dry, cold and breezy. Straight from the gun, Adrian Edwards took the lead with Martin Fisher chasing in second place. They held these positions to the end of the race with the rest of the field well behind. John Crahan put in a strong performance in his first race in the 70-74 age group to come third. Phil McCullagh, who has recently returned to racing following a long layoff due to illness, also walked well and came forth in the scratch race and won the handicap. He was thus awarded the Alison Trophy.

Phil regaining fitness, finishing at Dalton – see below

15 KILOMETRES

  1. Adrian Edwards M55 LWC 89:08 [H’cap 00:30 H’cap time 88:38 Pos 3 Pts 23] 75.83%
  2. Martin Fisher M55 Redcar WC 92:39 [00:00; 92:39; Guest] 72.95%
  3. John Crahan M70 LWC 104:06 [17:00; 87:06; 2; 24] 75.27%
  4. Phil McCullagh M60 LWC 104:41 [86:41; 1; 25] 67.64%
  5. Roy Gunnett M70 LWC 107:52 [14:00; 93:52; 5; 21] 73.59%
  6. Sailash Shah M50 LWC 114:08 [21:00; 93:08; 4; 22] 58.22%
  7. Joe Hardy M75 LWC 115:04 [20:30; 94:34; 6; 20] 72.90%
Sailash on the picturesque, but challenging Dalton course

10.9 KILOMETRES [6.8 MILES]

  1. Pat Evans W65 LWC 83:05 [Pts 19]
  2. Ian Hilditch M75 LWC 83:40 [Pts 18]

7.08 KILOMETRES[ 4.4 MILES]

  1. John Payn M85 LWC 62:28 [Pts 17]

Ken Munro Trophy 10 Miles Road, 24th March 2019 Dalton (North Yorks)

Trevor McDermot reports:

Scotland scored their first Race Walking team win today, and I think Ken would have been pleased. Pictured are Bill McFadden (Individual Trophy race winner) with Colin Scott, Neil Armitage and Gerard McConnell.

From a Lancashire point of view, it was a real pity we were unable to contest the team competition but good on Phil and Sailash for making it to Dalton. I was really disappointed not to be there as promised. Trevor and Linda always put on a splendid event, complete with amazing post-race Nepalese cuisine!

Francisco Reis, immaculate as ever
  1. Francisco Reis (Surrey WC) – guest – 87:41
  2. Bill McFadden (Scotia RWC) – 94:48 – Scot
  3. Malcolm Martin (Surrey WC) – guest – 100:42
  4. Graham Jackson (Yorkshire RWC) – 101:50 – Yorks
  5. Colin Scott (Yorkshire RWC) – 103:01 – Scot
  6. Dennis Jackson (Yorkshire RWC) – 107:38 – Yorks
  7. Neil Armitage (Yorkshire RWC) – 111:57 – Scot
  8. Sharon Gayter (North York Moors AC) – 112:42 – Yorks
  9. Phil McCullagh (Lancashire WC) – 116:38 – Lancs
  10. Gerard McConnell (Scotia RWC) – 119:50 – Scot
  11. Sailash Shah (Lancashire WC) – 122:33 – Lancs
  12. Sarah Circo (unattached) – 122:37 – Yorks
  13. Bill Gayter (North York Moors AC) – 127:46 – Yorks
  14. Angela Martin (Surrey WC) – guest – 128:32
  15. Ron Stewart (North Shield Poly AC) – 129:17 – Yorks
  16. Mark Byrne (Redcar RWC) – 103:29 – (11km)
And they’re off!

TEAM 1. SCOTLAND 17 2. YORKSHIRE 22

3km Developmental Race
eq 1 – Izzy Wilkinson 22:44
eq 1 – Paul Simpson 22:44
3 – YB Tamu 23:17
4 – Madhu Ghimire 23:20
5 – Tom Circo U15 23:38
6 – Kath Stewart (NSP) 24:06

AND THE STRUGGLE TO #SAVERACEWALKING CONTINUES

#SAVERACEWALKING

THANKS, KEITH FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE

And it would be remiss not to mention that the Northern Area made a presentation to Keith French, the Sheffield stalwart in recognition of his long and meritorious service to our sport.

Keith with Russ Jackson
Keith French winning the Sheffield Star Walk in 1965

Last but not least many thanks to Marcus Antonius Argento for the excellent photos, apart obviously from the 1965 shot of Keith!

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#SAVETHERACEWALKING: Four under the Hour in the Sam Shoebottom 10 kilometres

Posted on February 19, 2019 by

The SIGN2

Ta to Fred Pearce for the photo

Before the start of the Sam Shoebottom races, we made the sign in support of the #SAVETHE WALKING protest against the proposed disappearance of both the 20km and 50km from the Olympics and the problematic introduction of electronic shoe technology.

logone

Thanks to Stefano La Sorda for the logo and his campaigning energy

The chaotic ensemble at the starting line is due partly to a shout from the back to say.’Watch out, there’s a bloody big lorry approaching!’ There is no truth in the rumour that the said vehicle had been hired by someone called Coe to disrupt our protest.

LWC SAM SHOEBOTTOM 10km, February 9, 2019, Simister

Roy Gunnett reports:

There was a good turnout of 16 walkers for the first Lancashire Walking Club race of the year. The weather was kind with a temperature of 10 degrees centigrade and no rain. However, there was a strong wind. The race was held on the normal course at Simister, comprising two out and back 5k laps.

Adrian Edwards

 

Following the start, the race quickly split into three groups, the first being Adrian Edwards and Tony Taylor battling for the lead, followed by Tony Bell and Tony Malone, who both had their sights set on breaking the hour and then the rest of the field spread out some way behind.

Tony Taylor

Tony Bell and Tony Malone battling it out

As the race progressed Tony gradually drew away from Adrian and put in a very strong performance to finish over 2 minutes clear. Both Tony Bell and Tony Malone achieved their target of a sub one-hour performance with Tony Bell taking the handicap and thus the Sam Shoebottom Trophy.

1. Tony Taylor LWC M70 0:56:21 [H’cap 0:00 H’cap time 56:21 Pos 3 Pts 23] 92.5%
2. Adrian Edwards LWC M55 0:58:48 [0:00; 58:48; 6; 20] 76.86%
3. Tony Bell LWC M55 0:59:41 [5:30; 54:11; 1; 25] 74.81%
4. Tony Malone LWC M65 0:59:43 [3:30; 56:13; 2;24] 83.12%
5. Roy Gunnett LWC M70 1:06:42 [7:45; 58:57; 8; 18] 79.16%
6. Peter Crahan LWC M65 1:07:04 [6:45; 60:19; 11; 15] 73.17%
7. Glyn Jones Cov Godiva M75 1:07:35 [8:30; 59:07; Guest] 83.78%
8. John Crahan LWC M65 1:10:00 [11:15; 58:45; 5; 21] 73.52%
9. Phil McCullagh LWC M60 1:10:38 [11:45; 58:53; 7; 19] 65.86%
10. Ian Hilditch LWC M75 1:12:09 [ 15:00; 57:09; 4; 22] 78.51%
11. Joe Hardy LWC M75 1:13:04 [12:00; 61:04; 12; 14] 76.39%
12. Sailash Shah LWC M50 1:14:11 [14:00; 60:11; 10; 16] 58.79%
13. Ian Vaughan LWC M65 1:18:20 [18:45; 59:35; 9; 17] 62.65%

5km

Pat Evans tucks in behind Joe Hardy and Phil McCullagh

1. Pat Evans LWC W65 0:35:58 [Pts 13] 86.35%
2. John Payn LWC M85 0:42:06 [Pts 12] 74.24%
3. Andrea Lennon LWC W75 0:44:35 [Pts 13] 69.66%

A big thank you to the injured Greg Smith for the race photos. Much appreciated.

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FORTHCOMING RACES

Sunday, March 3 MOLLY BARNETT OPEN AND EAA 10KM CHAMPIONSHIP at COVENTRY

Saturday, March 9 ALISON TROPHY 15KM at CHORLEY

Sunday, March 24 KEN MUNRO TRIANGULAR COMPETITION [LANCASHIRE v. YORKSHIRE v. SCOTLAND] at DALTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE

By twist of fate , all being well, I’ll be back in the UK and can do this race. It would be good to have a strong Lancashire team in the mix.

Saturday, April 9 MACCLESFIELD SHIELD 10 MILES at SUTTON MACCLESFIELD

Club races start at 1.30 p.m.

 

RIP DOROTHY TAYLOR

Over the last few years, my mother Dorothy Taylor has been suffering from advanced dementia and I’ve often dashed to races after seeing her in the nursing home. Many of you have gone out of your way to be sensitive and supportive. It is with a mixture of relief and grief that I have to report that at the age of 99 years she passed away on Sunday, February 17. As you know the A J Taylor Award for the best performance of the year by a club member honours my father and her dear husband, a staunch supporter of race walking in Lancashire, who died in 1970. Thanks again for your compassionate concern.

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New Year’s Greetings and an intriguing historical enquiry

Posted on December 31, 2018 by

Firstly I must convey my best wishes and good health for the New Year to everyone at the club and beyond, who visits this LWC blog from time to time. One way or another get a few miles in on New Year’s Day [if the body allows] – always a psychological boost for the months ahead or so I keep telling myself!

Secondly, given my desire to unearth at least some of our club’s history, find below an intriguing and fascinating overture from Colin Kirkham of the Coventry Godiva Harriers. Quite a few of us will remember Colin as an outstanding marathon runner, winner of the Athens Marathon in 1973 and a leading member of the famous Godiva team of the ’60s and ’70s, which boasted such luminaries as Dick Taylor, Basil Heatley, Brian Kilby and Bill Adcocks. On the race walking scene, Godiva’s great and unassuming ambassador was George Chaplin, who sadly passed away this year. I can still remember how chuffed I was to beat George for the very first time in the 1970 National 10 miles, managing to break away from a group of George, John Webb and Jake Warhurst in the last mile to finish 6th in 74:07 with Ron Wallwork 2nd, sandwiched between the two Germans, Wilf Wesch and Bernard Nermerich. It was something of a breakthrough race at a national level as our club finished 2nd team [Wallwork, Taylor,, Vickers, Hopkins] to Belgrave Harriers, whilst the Lancashire team [Wallwork, Taylor, Alan Callow [Isle of Man], Vickers] was third behind Essex and Surrey in the then hotly contested Inter-Counties championships.

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Colin Kirkham writes:

 

I have spent a great deal of my time researching ‘The History of Coventry Godiva Harriers and Other clubs in the City over the last 140 years’. I have done this from the perspective of trying to highlight the effects of local education, industry, philanthropy, immigration and emigration, social (family / individual / longevity), geographical, political (small and big ‘P’), etc, influences have had on the success of the club.

Then I began to wonder what would have been the effect of such influences on a club that failed. A club that folded.

As I was brought up in Ingrow, Keighley, I looked at the short lifetime of Ingrow Harriers aka Ingrow Athletic Club, aka Keighley Harriers aka Keighley Parish Church Harriers aka Keighley and District Harriers ……. and the point of this letter, Keighley Walking Club, formed as a branch of the Yorkshire Walking Club which had its HQ on the Keighley side of Bradford [all this squeezed between 1892 and WW1]. For some curious reason, Keighley had a great deal of walking activity, this was beside the interest sparked by the walking boom of 1903.

To the point …. as part of my investigations into the local [Keighley] race walking scene 1875 to WW1 I have come across the enclosed photo about which I am trying to find information. The Lancashire Walking Club had an annual walk on Boxing Day, from Haworth [in Yorkshire] over the Herders [the Pennines] to Lanshaw Bridge in Lancashire, about 10 miles of severe climbs … I do mean severe. They would be walking into the prevailing wind and believe you me, the weather can be rough [this used to be part of my weekly ’20’, so I speak from experience].

Can any of your members in the Lancashire Walking Club offer any information why the chosen date and particular course?? Any details of any results? Any known members, or when the photo might have been taken … I think the pub is on Haworth Main Street, coincidentally where a few of the local fell races have their race HQ. at the present time. Are the trophies still current? And any suggestions as to why walking appeared so popular in a Victorian outpost like Keighley, both on the roads and at local Galas and Fetes – both amateur and pedestrian?

I appreciate that information might be non-existent, but thanks for any help you may be able to give.

I’ll follow up this post with a few thoughts next week on histories.

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Xmas spirit arrives early at the Dick Maxwell 10k

Posted on December 4, 2018 by

Santa’s Little Helper and assembled Xmas 10k field

Dick Maxwell Memorial 10k Race @ Simister 1st December 2018
Roy Gunnett reports:
The race was not held over the advertised Nightmare course as this was flooded.
Instead, it was held on the 2 lap out and back course to the park.
Weather for November was fairly good – a mild day with little wind and a slight drizzle.
Adrian Edwards walked strongly throughout and won the scratch race with Martin Fisher just under 40 secs behind.
Roy Gunnett won the handicap and was awarded the Dick Maxwell trophy.
Following the race, all enjoyed a meal of Pie and Peas prepared by Pat and the ‘Secret Santa’.
[ Tony Taylor is reliably informed that anyone revealing the identity of Santa’s Little Helper will receive a severe penalty at the hands of the Club Handicapper!]
10 kilometres
1. Adrian Edwards Lancs WC 57:59
2. Martin Fisher Redcar WC 58:38
3.Tony Bell Lancs WC 63:32
4.Stuart Edgar D&S 64:09
5.Roy Gunnett Lancs WC 65:41
6.Dan Maskell Surrey WC 66:58
7.Glyn Jones Cov. Godiva 67:42
8. John Crahan Lancs WC 69:15
9. Joe Hardy Lancs WC 70:03
10. Sailash Shah Lancs WC 72:04
11. Ian Hilditch Lancs WC 73:07
12. Ian Vaughan Lancs WC 76:41
13. Andrea Lennon Lancs WC 83:41
5 kilometres
1. Pat Evans LancsWC 35:00
2. Greg Smith Lancs WC 36:29
3. Arthur Wilson Unattached 38:48
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The Pre-Xmas Nightmare, December 2

Posted on November 27, 2018 by

nightmare

STOP PRESS

SOMEBODY’S PRAYER HAS BEEN ANSWERED AS FLOODING MEANS THE RACE WILL NOW BE HELD ON THE USUAL OUT AND BACK PARK COURSE

[To the dismay of many,  Roy Gunnett reports that Saturday’s race will take place on the infamous ‘Nightmare’ Course. We will see if prayers for a deluge of Biblical proportions are answered.]

Date:     Saturday 1st December 2018 @ 1:30pm

Race:     Dick Maxwell Memorial 10K race 

Course:  ‘Nightmare’ Course flooded so changed to usual Park Course!

Venue:    Lady Wilton Hall, Simister M25 2RX

The race will be followed by a ‘pie and peas’ meal and the Secret Santa.

Please let Roy know if you will be attending as he needs to let Pat know how many she needs to cater for regarding the ‘pie and peas’.

As usual please bring along a wrapped Secret Santa gift (£5 value)

Please bring along your £15 annual subscription ( unless you have already paid).

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An emotional AGM as Fred Pearce ‘retires’

Posted on November 23, 2018 by

The 111th Lancashire Walking Club AGM witnessed a heartfelt and humbling occasion. Dogged by ill-health Fred Pearce, the club’s ‘Jack of all trades’ and pivotal personality, was stepping down from his roles as President, Chairman and Treasurer. In his address, Fred outlined the club’s continuing and significant presence on the race walking scene, which owes much to his sterling efforts over decades of commitment to the cause. However, as he came to close his remarks, Fred found it nigh impossible to control his emotions, bringing a tear to many an eye, not least those of Christine, his devoted wife. Finally, he managed to mouth the painfully ironic, yet evergreen club motto, ‘Health is the first Wealth, before giving way to standing ovation from all those present. In doing so we remembered also with great sadness the passing of Dave Crompton, a much-missed Lancashire stalwart.

The meeting was faced with the dilemma of how and with whom to replace our Fred. To the rescue, cutting through the fog of anxiety,  came John Crahan, famous for his wit, tact diplomacy and fondness for a pint. He proposed to much acclaim that Fred continued as an Honorary President, whilst suggesting that Roy Gunnett and Dave Evans between them shared the tasks of Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurer. To our collective relief, Roy and Dave succumbed to John’s charm. Rumour has it that John was approached to sort out the whole Brexit chaos, but he refused, preferring to prioritise his arduous winter training regime in a bid to put his brother, Peter, firmly in his place. We will see.

Crisis averted, the business of the AGM was completed with the minimum of fuss, Our financial situation proved to be healthy. Adrian Edwards took both the Cliff Royle Salver and the AJ Taylor Award, proving to be yet again the club’s outstanding performer, whilst Joe Hardy’s commitment saw him take the Annual Handicap Award just ahead of Roy Gunnett.

Go easy on the whisky, Fred

There was though one more moving moment before the meeting closed.  Roy Gunnett stepped forward on behalf of the whole membership to present Fred with an engraved whisky decanter to mark the occasion and as a tribute to his remarkable contribution to our club across 66 years of membership. Following in his wake Glyn Jones, wearing his Race Walking Association hat, paid a fulsome tribute to Fred’s endeavours.

Glyn Jones pays tribute to Fred

Fred, number 5 – Northern Junior 10 1961 Bradford

And, allowing myself a personal touch, I recollected that Fred and I raced against one another for the first time on September 29th, 1963, over fifty-five years ago, The event, a club four and a quarter miles handicap starting at our headquarters, the imposing Midland Hotel in the centre of West Didsbury, saw John Paddick, a guest, win the scratch race ahead of Ron Wallwork. Although Fred beat me by a couple of minutes, I took the handicap prize, having a week earlier gained the then coveted 6 miles in the hour badge in the ‘D’ section of the famous Highgate track event. A fortnight later Ron Wallwork finished a brilliant 5th in the Lugano Trophy 50k in 4:23: 56, a member of the victorious GB team in what was in all but name the World Team Championship.

Ron winning the 1970 Leigh Harriers 5 miles in 36:09

In the following years, Ron put Lancashire Walking Club firmly on the map, always confident that Fred would make sure that all necessary arrangements were immaculately organised. What’s changed? And yet change inevitably lies before us.

On behalf of all, sincere thanks to Fred for all his graft, enormous goodwill and generosity.

Forever in your debt.

Tony Taylor

BILL JACKSON TROPHY 5k, NOVEMBER 3, 2018

Roy Gunnett reports:

There was a good turnout for the pre-AGM race of both walkers and officials – the 12 walkers included 3 guest walkers (Glyn Jones and Stuart Edgar from the Midlands and Dan Maskell from Brighton). Weather conditions were good for the time of year.
The scratch race was won by Adrian Edwards. Roy Gunnett won the yacht handicap and was therefore awarded the Bill Jackson Trophy. It was a closely fought out race with half the field finishing within a minute of each other.

1 Adrian Edwards Lancashire WC M55 28.54
2 Stuart Edgar Dudley and Stourbridge M45 31.40
3 Peter Crahan Lancashire WC M65 32.00
4 Dan Maskell Surrey WC M70 32.10
5 John Crahan Lancashire WC M65 32.30
6 Tony Bell Lancashire WC M55 32.40
7 Roy Gunnett Lancashire WC M70 32.44
8 Glyn Jones Coventry Godiva M75 32.49
9 Joe Hardy Lancashire WC M75 33.05
10 Sailash Shah Lancashire WC M50 33.51
11 Pat Evans Lady Lancashire WC W65 35.08
12 Ian Vaughan Lancashire WC M65 37.38

 

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Club AGM 5k and Albert Rigby 10k result

Posted on October 29, 2018 by

Roy Gunnett reports:

NEXT RACE: 5k ordinary handicap race followed by the 111th AGM

DATE SATURDAY 3rd November 2018

VENUE: LADY WILTON HALL, SIMISTER LANE, SIMISTER, PRESTWICH, MANCHESTER, M25 2RX

START: 1.30PM

Simister
Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the race/meeting.
To quote Fred ‘s request in his letter:

 

‘It is essential that you make every effort to attend in order that your valued contribution will help with the election of officers and decisions to be made for the future success of the Lancashire Walking Club’.

 
As Fred is standing down from his Official Positions as President, Chairman and Treasurer, these positions will be required to be filled.

 

Please consider this and offer your services for nomination and then contact Roy at r.gunnett@live.co.uk

 

ALBERT RIGBY 10 KILOMETRES, SUTTON MACCLESFIELD, NOVEMBER 6

The race was held over 3 laps of the new ‘out and back’ course. Weather was cold and overcast. 12 took part of whom 5 were welcome guests.
Adrian Edwards and Martin Fisher shared the lead for the early part of the race. After a mile or so Adrian pulled away strongly and won the race by nearly 2 minutes from Martin who was second.

adrian
In addition to winning the scratch race, Adrian also won the handicap and was thus awarded the Albert Rigby Shield.
As always Marshal Barnard and his wife Kath provided excellent refreshments for everyone after the race.

Sutton

1 Adrian Edwards Lancashire WC M55 57.21
2 Martin Fisher Redcar RWC M55 59.19
3 Tony Bell Lancashire WC M55 64.14
4 Stuart Edgar Dudley & Stourbridge M45 65.52
5 Dan Maskell Surrey WC M70 66.02
6 Joe Hardy Lancashire WC M70 66.36
7 Glyn Jones Coventry Godiva M75 66.44
8 Roy Gunnett Lancashire WC M70 69.45
9 Sailash Shah Lancashire WC M50 71.04
10 Dave Hoben Surrey WC M65 74.15

6.66K
1 Pat Evans Lady W65 49.44

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