Rest in Peace – Paul Nihill and Bernhard Kannenberg, two of our greatest athletes

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Tony Taylor

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.

THE WEBSITE IS: https://www.obitus.com/

USERNAME: Sava6799

PASSWORD: 555039

Once the service has finished, it will take up to 3 working days to get the 28-day Watch Again onto the website.

In addition the family has created a Justgiving page where donations in memory of Paul can be made to the charity, SportsAid.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paulnihillmbe

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.

  1. Bernd Kannenberg WG 84:45.0 [World Record]
  2. Heinz Mayr WG 90:59.4
  3. Roger Mills GB 91:24.2
  4. Olly Flynn GB 92:15.8
  5. Peter Marlow 92:28.8
  6. Tony Taylor GB 94:21.2
  7. Manfred Kolvenbach WG 94:21.4
  8. 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.

  1. Gerhard Weidner WG 2:30:38.6 [World Record]
  2. Heinrich Schubert WG 2:33:33.8
  3. John Warhurst GB 2:34:25.4
  4. Roy Thorpe GB 2:35:44.0
  5. Amos Seddon GB 2:37:35.4
  6. Mike Holmes GB 2:42:01.4
  7. Leo Frey WG 2:44;45.6
  8. 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 RTL.DE

Bernhard Kannenberg RIP

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Virtual League Racing Series – Race 41

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Tony Taylor

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

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Keeping Occupied in January – a few suggestions

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Tony Taylor

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

Any thoughts, tales, photos to Tony at tonymtaylor@gmail.com

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The December ‘Frank O’Neill’ Club Virtual 3k

Posted on January 9, 2021 by Tony Taylor

The December ‘Frank O’Neill’ Club Virtual 3k

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

  1. Tony Taylor 16:36
  2. Marco Bernatzki 18:59 [G]
  3. Graham Jackson 19:00 [G]
  4. Tony Bell 19:43
  5. Greg Smith 19:49
  6. Denis Jackson 19:52 [G]
  7. Dave Evans 19:56
  8. Martin Payne 19:57
  9. Roy Gunnett 20:00
  10. Ian Hilditch 20:08
  11. Pat Evans 20:15
  12. Joe Hardy 20:50
  13. Glyn Jones 22:04 [G]
  14. Andrea Lennon 25:52

HANDICAP

Martin putting us all to shame by submitting a Xmas ‘selfie’ – even if it’s indoors!
  1. Roy Gunnett 20:00 ; 4:30 ; 15:30
  2. Ian Hilditch 20:08; 4:35; 15:33
  3. Marco Bernatzki 18:59; 3:25; 15:34 [G]
  4. Martin Payne 19:57; 4:10; 15:47
  5. Graham Jackson 19:00; 3:10; 15:50 [G]
  6. Pat Evans 20:15; 4:05; 16:10
  7. Andrea Lennon 25:52; 9:35; 16:17
  8. Tony Bell 19:43; 3;25; 16:18
  9. Joe Hardy 20:50; 4:15; 16:35
  10. Tony Taylor 16:36; 0;00; 16:36
  11. Denis Jackson 19:52; 3:15; 16:37 [G]
  12. Glyn Jones 22:04; 5:05; 16:59 [G]
  13. Dave Evans 19;56; 2:10; 17;46
  14. Greg Smith 19:49; 1:00; 18:49
Posted in History, Results | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Virtual League Racing Series – Race 40 – Peter Fullager Memorial Race

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Tony Taylor

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)

Our team as follows:

Tony Taylor M70 92.10% Lancs WC 10:54.0

Dave Evans M70 83.89% Lancs WC 11:58.0

Roy Gunnett M70 75.48% Lancs WC 13:18.0

Greg Smith M65 71.35% Lancs WC 13:14.0

Tony Bell M55 65.01% Lancs WC 12:57.0

Full result at Virtual Series 40

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WAKEFIELD’S PURPLE PATCH 1967 – 1969

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Tony Taylor

Wakefield’s Purple Patch 1967-1969

 Ron Wallwork writes:

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.  

1967 National 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. 

1968 National 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.

1969 National 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.

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Virtual League Racing Series – Race 39 – Back on top for Christmas!

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Tony Taylor
Ta to graphicsfairy.com

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)

Our team as follows:

Tony Taylor M70 92.67% Lancs WC 10:50.0

Dave Evans M70 82.85% Lancs WC 12:07.0

Greg Smith M65 74.45% Lancs WC 12:41.0

Roy Gunnett M70 71.11% Lancs WC 14:07.0

Tony Bell M55 64.93% Lancs WC 12:58.0

Full result available at Virtual Series – XMAS.

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FOR’ARD TO A GRADELY NEW YEAR!

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Tony Taylor

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

—————————————————————————————————

POSTSCRIPT

I’m endeavouring to keep a New Year’s Resolution not to mention bloody COVID for 24 hours!!

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Virtual League Racing Series – Race 38 – Paul Nihill MBE Memorial Race

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Tony Taylor
English race walker Paul Nihill (#40) competes to finish in 2nd place to win the silver medal for Great Britain in the Men’s 50 kilometres walk at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan on 18th October 1964. (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

We were down to our bare bones this week with all of us carrying niggles of one kind or another – knees, hips, buttocks, you name it!

MENS AGE GRADED 2KM TEAM
1 Birchfield Harriers (81.14%)
2 Lancashire Walking Club (74.97%)
3 Quickstep Fitness (69.20%)
4 Manx Harriers (52.16%) – RUSSIA (48.91%)
5 Yorkshire Race Walking Club (38.19%)

MENS 2KM TEAM
1 Birchfield Harriers (21)
2 Lancashire Walking Club (62)
3 Quickstep Fitness (79)
4 Manx Harriers (167)

Our team as follows:

Tony Taylor M70 91.40% Lancs WC 10:59.0

Greg Smith M65 73.01% Lancs WC 12:56.0

Tony Bell M55 60.50% Lancs WC 13:55.0

————————————————————————————————————————

Time is ebbing away and.…….

Thanks to the graphicsfairy.com

Our December Virtual Club Series distance remains 3 kilometres. Clockings to be submitted by midnight, Monday, January 4th to allow for wild excess across the festive period. It would be fun if participants could attach a photo of themselves paying homage to either the religious or secular traditions of the season. I think I have a set of antlers lying about somewhere!

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Post-Xmas Reminiscences – both amusing and deeply sad

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Tony Taylor
Marilyn Taylor’s watercolour , Snowy Vines’ – Our Cretan Xmas greeting

Firstly to make you smile perchance Chris Bolton sends memories of some of our proud Centurions.

Bill Cowley. C 319

Bill Cowley

Bill qualified in the Chigwell 100 in 1961 in 22-28-30.  He attended the celebration dinner at the Mansion House to receive his award.  On the way home, probably after celebrating too much, he lost his certificate.  Several days later his mother opened the door to a policeman asking to see Bill. 

He found Bill lying on the settee watching TV. He told Bill his certificate had been handed in at the station but he wanted to see just “what sort of a nutter would walk 100 miles”. Thereafter Bill always referred to the Centurions as the Nutters Club.

Eight years later in 1969 Bill, Alan Hudson and Alan Day took part in the Bristol 100. They walked together the whole way and I was their attendant.  I was knackered running after them and at ninety three miles Bill shouted for the sponge.  I soaked it in the bucket and ran after him: he stuck it down his shorts and mopped out his over heated tackle. As he returned the sponge Alan Hudson, 20 yards ahead, shouted “sponge”, the bucket was now 150 yards back down the road and I thought sod it, ran after Alan and gave him the sponge. He took it wiped round his face and took a big drink from it.  I never told him it had just been round Bill’s groskies.

They crossed the finishing line together in third place and with three to score were handed the team trophy as they finished.  I have always said that you don’t cry when you lose, you cry when you win and at that emotional moment there were a few less than dry eyes, including mine.

John Todd. C285

John qualified at Leicester in 1958 in 23-07-37.  John told me that at 85 miles he was ready to retire but his attendant poured Sloan’s Liniment, a lethal remedy, down his legs and put his track bottoms on.  He said he shot to the finish and then started running.

John Todd

Chris Bolton. C332

A youthful Chris [12] alongside Frank O’Neill [13] with John Grocott not far behind- see note below

I qualified at Leicester in 1962 in 22-9-27.  After my fourth place in the Blackpool Walk the previous Saturday I must have had feelings of grandeur and set off at 6mph passing 10 miles in 1-40-05, just a minute behind Frank O’Reilly. I’ll never know what prompted this act of suicide.  I’ve never been a night hawk and approaching midnight I couldn’t keep my eyes open and persuaded Bill Cowley and Bert Butterworth , my attendants, to let me have a sleep.  After twenty minutes sleep at the side of the road I had recovered and was back on the road.  At 65 miles there was a breakfast stop for the attendants and Bill told me that Bert ordered a full English and when he had finished ordered another – and then another.  Bert had a prodigious appetite and after walking four days at 55 kms each day in Nijmegan he finished weighing more than when he started.  At 80 miles Bill ran out with a big smile on his face to tell me that Frank OReilly had won and was now in the bath.  With twenty miles to go I was not amused.

John Grayson. C432

John, of Wakefield Harriers, qualified in the 24 hour track walk at Leicester in 1969.  He walked well for 70 miles and then suffered badly.  Guy Goodair and I were his attendants and at one stage he took twenty minutes for one 440 yard lap.  He passed 100 miles in 23-19-52 and he wanted to retire but Guy insisted that he do one more lap in case the lap counters had made a mistake.  We then carried him into the changing room and laid him out.  After 35 minutes Guy took me to one side and whispered that somehow we had to get him back onto the track.  Guy was a grade one pot hunter and had realised that there were two awards, one at 100 miles and one at 24 hours. John didn’t want to know but despite his protests we carried him to the track and held him upright at the spot where he had retired. With ten seconds to the twenty four hours we released him and he staggered another five yards.  Sadly the Centurions handbook doesn’t recognise this achievement.

At the same event John Eddershaw C299 was competing.  At 6-00 am I asked him if he needed anything.  Yes, he said, get me an ice cream.  I managed to find a newsagents with a freezer open at that unearthly hour and got John his ice cream.  I don’t think he ever realised the problem he caused and of course I wouldn’t tell him.

Secondly the photograph of Chris, Frank and John in the 1959 Bradford 7 is taken from a wonderful collection of photos given to Roy Gunnett by Harold Ogden. I’m in the process of scanning them for use on the web site. There are some gems from the past. I’m also trying to find out more about Harold himself. Any information gratefully received.

Finally it would be remiss not to draw your attention to the sad loss of another leading race walker from the period described as the Golden Era by Ron Wallwork, namely Peter Fullager.

His great friend and leading historian of our sport, Tim Erickson has produced a special edition of the Victoria Race walking Club newsletter, marking a sad farewell to UK and Australian racewalking representative Peter Fullager. Peter, who had lived in Adelaide since emigrating to Australia in 1970, died in the early hours of Wednesday morning, December 23rd after a battle with cancer.

Tim remarks, “we remember Peter as a consummate competitor, as tough as nails, with a relentless surging action that left most walkers in his wake”.

1967 Lugano Trophy in Bad Saarow – Frenkel (GDR), Solodov (RUS) and Peter Fullager (GBR)

Result of the above 20 kilometres Lugano Trophy final

  1. N. Smaga [USSR[ 88:38.4
  2. V. Golubnichy [USSR] 88:58.0
  3. R.Laird [USA] 89:12.4
  4. C.Sperling [GDR[ 90:14.4
  5. P.Frenkel [GDR] 90:29.6
  6. P.Fullager [GB] 91:14.4

Our own Greg Smith was Basildon AC’s club secretary when Peter joined in 1968, having left Surrey WC. Greg comments, “Peter was deadly serious about race walking, a fearsome model of commitment and rationality in training. I tried, I think unsuccessfully, to get his track 30km and 20 miles times from 1967 accepted as UK records. In the end he’d had enough of the nonsense of English officialdom and went to Australia”.

Tim Erickson’s tribute is a fascinating, revealing and moving portrait of an outstanding and fiercely independent athlete. It is to be found in a special edition of the VRWC December newsletter – see link below.

Click to access heelandtoe-2021-num12A.pdf

PETER FULLAGER – REST IN PEACE

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