Unfortunately we have no option but to cancel the September 5th One Hour race set to take place at the Bury track. The present English Athletics COVID guidelines rule that races beyond 3,000 metres are not allowed. Whilst we could have tried to make the case for an exception in regard to our club race, including the submission of a COVID action plan, the chances of success were slim. Crucially too the majority of our membership and supporters feel that we should err on the side of caution.
The dialogue that has taken place between our own officers and national representatives, namely Colin Vesty and Glyn Jones, together with informative contributions from Trevor McDermot, will stand us in good stead as we look to a future haunted still by the virus.
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and apologies to the half-dozen walkers and officials, who indicated they would attend.
In this vacuum we want to encourage your continued involvement in our own Club Virtual Series. As things stand there’s just over a week left within which to submit your 10 kilometres times for the August challenge. Looking ahead to September we are proposing that we drop the distance down to 5 kilometres. In doing so we are exploring ways in which we can incorporate these clockings into running a Virtual Fred Pearce Relay. More information will be forthcoming as we work out a possible format.
In addition those of us, who have been involved in the Virtual League Series organised through Helen Elleker and John Constandinou continue to find it motivating. Indeed it is a feather in our collective cap that we remain the most consistent club team across the twenty ‘races’ held thus far. It’s certainly not too late to take part and bolster our presence. Contact Tony if you’re not on Facebook and want to submit a 2k time. The deadline each week is 6.00 p.m. on the Wednesday. Also see below.
Southend-on-Sea AC Virtual 1 Mile Event
Southend-on-Sea AC normally holds a 1 mile track walk on August Bank Holiday weekend. This year it has been cancelled but you can still compete in a virtual race.
You can do two races the Virtual 2km and Southend 1 mile. Complete the distances between 29th August and 2nd September and submit your time(s) on the Race Walking Group on Facebook or alternatively email Helen Elleker ellekerhelen@yahoo.co.uk.
With thanks to the Virtual Race Walking league organisers for their support.
We are faced with a range of issues and dilemmas in considering whether or not we can proceed with the One Hour race in just over a fortnight. Dave and Roy with advice from Adrian and Greg are in the midst of negotiating with the national bodies as to what might be the best way forward.
To give you some sense of the situation see the following points. Bearing these in mind it would be enormously helpful if you could indicate if you are committed to attending if the race goes ahead. As things stand the Corvid 19 situation limits our flexibility and until we get final confirmation from the RWA we are unable to issue a final notification of the event.
Roger at Bury has confirmed our booking, but we are uncertain as to what notice he needs if we are unable to hold the event.
The facilities at Bury will be very limited. The changing rooms and hall will be closed, but there will be toilet access. Walkers will need to come changed and bring their own refreshments.
After the race competitors will have to leave immediately before results are announced.
Colin Vesty on behalf of the Race Walking Association adds,
All track race walking events should be carefully planned to comply with all national, local and venue imposed restrictions and advice (e.g. social distancing, hygiene etc.). This will need to include a fully detailed Covid control action plan. Before applying for a permit (race licence), the organiser should secure permission from the venue and conformation of attendance by a full cohort of officials. To assist with “track and trace”, it is expected that all events will need to be pre-entry only and a register maintained of names and addresses for all attendees (athletes, officials, volunteers, supporters and spectators).
In addition Adrian Edwards, who has been involved in coaching over the last month or so, sends these thoughts.
– With current infection rates the chances of coming into contact with someone who has active covid is one in several thousand; depending on where you live. Manchester’s infection rate is a little high at the moment; so whereas in some areas thirty people can meet up indoors for a wedding, not so here. But, any number of people can meet up OUTSIDE as long as they stay two metres apart. If all those people with covid stay at home the chances of giving it to someone outside your family should be nil. Because some people can be asymptomatic, and some people are ignoring advice, there is a small chance of infection. However, most of the deaths from covid have occurred in the over forty fives, which is the majority of our members; with some added risk for being male, smokers and overweight. So if our members are sensible and stay away if they have any symptoms we should be safe.
– We can cut risk by travelling in private vehicles and not using public transport.
– We can cut risk by not using numbers.
– We can cut risk by not using markers on the ground. People can just stand where they are until their distance has been measured at the end of the race.
– We could potentially cut risk by combining the walk with Fred’s relay. Two times half an hour so we have less people on the track at any one time. Add two peoples score together. Then everyone can have a walk and swop walkers for officials?
– We can cut risk by asking people not to walk together; either go past someone or keep two metres behind. All walkers to stay in lane one unless over taking; over take wide; although the risk is lower if not face to face.
– We could cut risk by not taking any money. As it’s supposed to be a voluntary contribution, if anyone wants to make a contribution they could include it with their annual subs later in the year. Or we could ask everyone to bring the right money place it in a box and then if the money isn’t touched for three days it should be covid free.
– By going straight home afterwards we can reduce risk of spreading the virus if someone does unknowingly have it; but we’ll then miss the social side, which may be important to some people.
With all this in mind we need to repeat that we need you to confirm that you would attend if the event is given the green light
I’ve been remiss in not using immediately a number of recollections from Ron Wallwork, who was the key figure in the transformation of the club’s fortunes in the 1960s and 70s. To set the ball rolling here is a collage of images and a report with additional comments from myself.
1, The picture of Jack Tempest, of which I still have a copy, throws up the fascinating contradiction posed by Ron. I first met Jack in 1953. I was six and he was a handsome and engaging seventy-three, an age I have now reached. He was seen as remarkable. And I suspect Jack saw himself as remarkable – hence the signed photograph. Today the club is composed of stalwarts many older than Jack, who clock times beyond his dreams.
2. And, yet, neither Jack in his time nor today’s veterans could ever be the basis of a prosperous future. The other three images reveal that the club prospered with the infusion of new blood, symbolised by Ron’s arrival in 1958. The fresh-faced trio in the bottom right hand corner, Bob Towell, Mike Hatton and Ron were putting the club on the national map.
3. By 1966, Ron’s Commonwealth Gold had enhanced further our reputation and the makeup of the club’s membership was changing. This shift is reflected in the report on the Leigh Harriers Open Five Miles held in that year. The piece pays tribute to veterans such as 76 year old Matt Clark, fourth on two occasions in the Blackpool walk and Dick Rattigan, recently retired from the pit at the age of 65. At the same time it hails my victory as a local 19 year old in 39:36 chased home 42 seconds later by Mick Entwistle, a mere 17 years of age. In passing the reporter reveals that I raced against a doctor’s advice following a midweek car crash. For the life of me I can’t remember the incident at all. A tall story, perchance!
4. 1970 witnessed us winning the McSweeney Trophy as the best overall club in the country, a success impossible without the flowering of a talented group of youngsters. Thus we finished teams in all the relevant championships.
National Youths 3 miles – 7th [Coombs, Fagg and Platt]
Nationa Junior 5 miles – 2nd [Eyre, Crow, Entwistle and Malone]
National 10 miles – 2nd [Wallwork, Taylor, Vickers and Hopkins]
National 20 kilometres – 1st [Wallwork, Eyre, Taylor and Hopkins]
National 20 miles – 2nd [Wallwork, Hopkins, Taylor and Warren]
National 50 kilometres – 3rd [Wallwork, Taylor, Hopkins and Entwistle]
In terms of the impact of youth it’s worth noting that in the Youth and Junior Championships held later in 1970, which contributed to the 1971 overall competition, we did even better,
National Youth 3 miles – 3rd [Sephton, Brewster and Edwards]
National Junior 5 miles – 1st [Malone, Entwistle and Crow]
Tony Malone finished 3rd behind Olly Flynn and Mick Holmes, earning this praise from the legendary ‘Tebbs’ Lloyd Johnson in his regular column in the Race Walkng Record.
‘Tebbs’ Loyd Johnson winning the bronze medal in the 1948 Olympic 50 kilometres – the oldest ever Olympic athletics medallist at the age of 48.
The lad who took my eye above all others as indeed he did earlier in the year at Leicester was Tony Malone from Lancashire. He is a real stylist and a treat to watch.
Good to see Martin back in the mix and he’s seeking advice on shoes – see a future request for your views on footwear
MENS AGE GRADED 2KM TEAM 1 Lancashire Walking Club (82.48%) 2 Quickstep Fitness (72.65%) 3 Sarnia Walking Club (71.62%) 4 Scotia Race Walking Club (57.74%) 5 Steyning AC (53.49%) 6 Birchfield Harriers (41.23%)
MENS 2KM TEAM 1 Lancashire Walking Club (51) 2 Quickstep Fitness (59) 3 Sarnia Walking Club (68) 4 Scotia Race Walking Club (159) 5 Steyning AC (183) 6 Birchfield Harriers (189)
Quite a few people have commented upon the mental challenge posed by doing a solo 8 kilometres so thanks to everyone for continuing to support the series. At least 6 injury-struck people have sent their apologies and hope to tackle the 10 kilometres challenge in August. Whatever the dilemmas thrown up by virtual race walking our series and the original 2k series overseen by Helen Elleker and John Constandinou are keeping us on our toes through these surreal times.
Congratulations to Mary Pusateri, 2019 USATF Masters F50 5k and 10k champion, Thanks to Luke Lu for the photo and John Constandinou for the discovery
8 KILOMETRES SCRATCH
[G] indicates Guest, who is not counted in the team race.
Tony Taylor M70 LWC 42:51
Bill McFadden M55 Scotia RWC 43:16
Ray Robinson M45 Redcar 44:08 [G]
Colin Simpson M60 Scotia RWC 46:55
Andrew Fraser M50 Scotia RWC 46:59
Daniel McKerlich U23 Cardiff 47:00 [G]
Lynette Frame F60 Scotia RWC 52:56
Dave Evans M70 LWC 53:01
Michelle O’Neil F55 Scotia RWC 53:55
Mary Pusateri F50 USA 54:16 [G]
Shirley Simpson F60 Scotia RWC 54:19
Joe Hardy M75 LWC 55:08
Roy Gunnett M70 LWC 55:13
Gerard McConnell M60 Scotia RWC 55:16
Pat Evans F65 LWC 55:29
Glyn Jones M75 Coventry Godiva 56:10 [G]
Linda Hinshelwood F55 Scotia RWC 56:16
Greg Smith M65 LWC 56:30
Ian Hilditch M75 LWC 57:24
Marco Bernatzki M50 Germany 57:38 [G]
Tony Bell M55 LWC 57:46
Martin Payne M55 LWC 58:02
Rosemary Hill F70 Scotia RWC 58:40
Andrea Lennon F75 LWC 61:31
TEAM RACE [MIXED]
SCOTIA RWC [2, 3, 4 and 5] 14 pts
LWC [1, 6, 9 and 10] 26 pts
8KILOMETRES AGE-GRADED
Andrea well-wrapped up in the winter at Chorley
Tony Taylor M70 LWC 42:51 – 99.13%
Andrea Lennon F75 LWC 61:31 – 87.68%
Pat Evans F65 LWC 55:29 – 83.13%
Bill McFadden M55 Scotia RWC 43:16 – 82.94%
Linda Hinshelwood F55 Scotia RWC 56:16 – 81.97%
Colin Simpson M60 Scotia RWC 46:55 – 81.25%
Glyn Jones M75 Coventry Godiva 56:10 – 81.21% [G]
Rosemary Hill F70 Scotia RWC 58:40 – 81.13%
Ian Hilditch M75 LWC 57:24 – 80.70%
Joe Hardy M75 LWC 55:08 – 80.32%
Dave Evans M70 LWC 53:01- 80.12%
Shirley Simpson F60 Scotia RWC 54:19 – 78.00%
Lynette Frame F60 Scotia RWC 52:56 – 78.02%
Roy Gunnett M70 LWC 55:13 – 76.93%
Andrew Fraser M50 Scotia RWC 46:59 – 73.69%
Ray Robinson M45 Redcar 44:08 – 73.38% [G]
Michelle O’Neil F55 Scotia RWC 53:55 – 71.47%
Greg Smith M65 LWC 56:30 – 70.59%
Mary Pusateri F50 USA 54:16 – 68.84% [G]
Gerard McConnell M60 Scotia RWC 55:16 – 66.19%
Daniel McKerlich U23 Cardiff 47:00 – 63.38% [G]
Martin Payne M55 LWC 58:02 – 63.04%
Tony Bell M55 LWC 57:46 – 61.55%
Marco Bernatzki M50 Germany 57:38 – 59.05% [G]
TEAM RACE [MIXED]
LWC [1, 2, 3 and 8] 14 pts
SCOTIA RWC [4, 5, 6 and 7] 22pts
8 KILOMETRES HANDICAP
The race within a race based on handicap allowances was a traditional feature of Race Walking events across the decades at a club level, but particularly within Open races. Entry forms would always ask for one’s latest performance to assist the handicapper decide on your allowance based on the fastest prospective competitor starting from scratch i.e. having no handicap allowance. The handicap race was seen as providing motivation for athletes throughout the field – from a younger walker breaking through to a seasoned veteran still striving to do do their best.
Andrea Lennon F75 LWC Actual time 61:31 H’cap Allowance 27:25 H’cap time 34:06
Thanks again to everyone and to Marco and Mary for providing an international flavour to the proceedings.
This month’s challenge is 10 kilometres. I haven’t forgotten my promise to write something about the history of the 5 miles distance now superseded by the metric 10k.
Firstly to encourage everyone involved thus far in our Club Series and indeed any new faces to submit their 8k times by midnight, Sunday, August 2 to tonymtaylor@gmail.com. As ever photos welcomed.
Secondly, as you can see below, with Tony Malone, Stephen Walker and Tony Taylor absent, we slipped down the Virtual League Series team competition. Hopefully we’ll bounce back in Week 17, although Tony Malone probably won’t figure as he’s experiencing problems with his breathing, whilst Stephen is struggling with a back problem.
MENS AGE GRADED TEAM
1 Scotia Race Walking Club (75.95%) 2 Sarnia Walking Club (75.31%) 3 Quickstep Fitness (73.87%) 4 Lancashire Walking Club (71.33%) 5 Birchfield Harriers (39.80%)
MENS TEAM
1 Sarnia Walking Club (26) 2 Scotia Race Walking Club (38) 3 Quickstep Fitness (52) 4 Lancashire Walking Club (70) 5 Birchfield Harriers (193)
STOP PRESS – See responses below from Richard and Sandra plus photos and the mention of an intriguing mystery!
Given our club’s proud Centurion tradition it is fitting and proper that we celebrate a milestone in the lives of Richard and Sandra Brown, those legendary ultra-distance walkers and record holders – their Golden Wedding Anniversary. According to Dave Ainsworth, in keeping with their reputation they celebrated by going out for a walk together and collecting a “take away” on the return to enjoy at home.
50 YEARS – NOW AND THEN
Tim Erickson, a great historian of our sport. has written two fascinating tributes to the couple, which reveal in detail their astonishing careers.
At one point he asks Sandra what might be her best performances. She replies.
The performances, all judged race-walking, I’m probably most pleased with are: ◦ 18.36.29 in my second UK Centurion 100 at Leicester in 1984, the British ladies’ best time ◦ 200kms in 24.04.20 at Vallorbe in 1991, a world best ◦ 50 miles in 7.54.54 in the Manchester to Blackpool in 1991 ◦ 50kms in 4.50.51 at Basildon in 1991, then a world best and still the W45 age group record ◦ 189.949kms at Wadelincourt [Belgian 24h championship] in 2014, the W65 24h record ◦ 51 completions [to date] of proper Centurion races worldwide, including 31 in the UK; 20 of these 51 in a first class time [under 20 hrs for 100 miles] including 14 in the UK ◦ Winning outright various Centurion 100s in the UK and elsewhere ◦ Winning over 30 Paris-Colmar/Alsace qualifying events [no. 30 was Wadelincourt 2014 and I have won others since] ◦ 191 completions of 100 miles or more, to date.
He has 25 finishes in official Centurion walks, with a best of 16:50:28, and has won the British Centurions race a record 10 times. Apart from his British best time, he has 4 further times under 18 hours and 6 further times under 19 hours.
21:03:49 24/06/1983 Ewhurst GBR UK760 18:50:23 27/07/1984 Leicester GBR 18:33:52 18/05/1985 Sint-Oedenrode NED CN144 19:00:09 10/05/1986 Sint-Oedenrode NED 18:17:17 25/07/1986 Leicester-Congerstone GBR 17:00:35 29/07/1988 Leicester-Congerstone GBR 17:54:28 28/07/1990 Hungarton (Leicester) GBR 17:52:47 28/06/1991 Ewhurst GBR 18:50:29 21/07/1992 Leicester GBR 16:50:28 22/05/1993 Sint-Oedenrode NED 17:58:17 21/07/1993 London-Battersea GBR 18:39:42 29/07/1994 Hungarton (Leicester) GBR 19:23:16 05/08/1995 London GBR 18:12:04 03/08/1996 Colchester GBR 19:22:26 20/06/1998 Douglas IOM 19:08:16 14/08/1999 London GBR 20:29:45 24/09/2000 Golden,CO USA US49 19:50:39 04/08/2001 Colchester GBR 177.772 25/08/2001 Genting Highlands MA MC820:31:59 07/05/2005 Weert NED 20:33:00 30/07/2005 Kings Lynn GBR 20:12:44 11/07/2009 Newmarket GBR 21:23:10 22/-9/2012 Colchester GBR 21:45:23 15/08/2015 Castletown IOM 22:48:55 06/08/2017 Bury St Edmunds GBR
Both of them are remarkable. Their achievements almost beyond my comprehension.
Much more fascinating information on their web site – the ultrabrowns
CONGRATULATIONS FROM ALL AT LWC
Richard replies:
How very kind of you to help us celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary with such a lovely addition to the Lancashire Walking Club website.
It has been 50 years full of adventures and none more enjoyable than our races here in Britain and overseas. Although we were quite late coming to the sport of race-walking and, for both of us, our first race was at 100 miles, we’ve enjoyed racing at every distance and have enjoyed every minute. The camaraderie and friendship within the walking community, and the encouragement and support from so many people, have been truly amazing and we could not have achieved anything without that friendship from across the walking fraternity.
In 1986 a watering can comes to the rescue!
So a huge thank you to everyone, and what memories we share….including of the Manchester to Blackpool, which was one of our favourite events. We shall always remember the very special support along the route, running the gauntlet of kids, grannies and donkeys as we aimed for Blackpool Tower over that last golden mile, the blissful baths, followed by the wonderful presentation and high tea! Happy days! We attach some of our treasured photos from the M-B events.
In 1986 the Mayor and Mayoress present Richard with the trophy watched by John Eddershaw
Since she is too modest to say this, Sandra has now successfully completed over 200 events of 100 miles or above – itself another world record….by miles!
In 1991 Sandra dogs the footsteps of Andy TriggDouble victors in 1993 with the Mayoress on the promenade
Our thanks again and best wishes to you and all at Lancashire Walking Club.
Intriguingly in another messageRichard speaks aboutthe crucialrole played byroadside supporters.
The helpers are always the vital and too often unsung heroes of the road. We well remember a Lancs supporter in his Jag with scented sponges and Tizer on offer. Wonderful…. and a real lift when you had that experience.
And Sandraadds herreminiscence.
We both remember those eau-de-cologne scented sponges and how refreshing they were, on a warm August afternoon, along that long road through Lytham St Annes. Maybe this good Samaritan lived in that area? There was another supporter, somewhere around half way I think, who provided delicious little jellies set in small cake cases. They used to slip down so nicely!
I’m afraid that I wasn’t at the 1986 race. Indeed our daughter was still a baby then and I did little racing for a couple of years. So I don’t have records for that. Maybe the RWA website or someone else who did the race can help? I do have in my records a page from a programme in the 1990s where it appears that only 6 men’s winning times bettered the 7h 54.54 that I did when coming second to Andy Trigg in 1991. It was my bad luck to be narrowly beaten by him that year and Richard another year when I did 8.02. In 1991, Richard and our young Vicky were in a car trying to give me drinks but had real problems finding places to stop. At one roundabout, they parked just as I sped by, and I could hear Vicky calling after me “Come back for your drink Mummy!”
Thank you again so much for your and the club’s friendship and all your wonderful events over the years. Such memories we share!
Can anyone shed light on the identity of the Jag-driving, Tizer-loving, scented Lancastrian?I’vegot an idea!
Sadly we have to report that Ray Manning, Centurion 415, passed away on 3rd July aged 88 after a short illness. Ray, a member of Wakefield Harriers and well-known to his contemporaries in our club, qualified in the 1968 Leicester to Skegness race in 19:56:20. Indeed I remember chasing after him with a sponge in the 1970 Blackpool walk, which as the club secretary of the time I organised. His daughter Linda says her father was a proud Centurion and his medal, certificate and plaque will be displayed at the funeral, which will take place on the 16th July, being restricted in these difficult times to the family.
Guy Goodair remembers fondly those past yearsand a wonderful sporting gesture by Ray.
Ray was a great club man. Although he lived in Newcastle he was always willing to make a trip down to wherever we needed him for the team.
The start of the 1967 TT Walk, Ray, number 18, finished 6th .Ta to John Cannell.
Probably his best ever individual performance was finishing 3rd in 1968 over the gruelling 37.75 mile TT course in the Isle of Man
He was a counting member of the Wakefield team which won the team event in both the 1968 and 1970 Manchester to Blackpool 51.75 miles races, the 1968 Bradford 50km and the 1968 Northern 50km,
Ray was also a team counter when Wakefield took 2nd place in 1970 Northern 20 miles, and 3rd place in National 50km Championship.
Ray was a member of the Centurions team which took 12th place in the 1969 Swiss Airolo to Chiasso relay which was from the St Gotthard pass to Chiasso on the Italian border. He did the 14km leg from Bellinzona up to the summit of Monte Ceneri. The following week he finished 15th in the Lugano 100km in 11h 36m 18s
Thinking about Ray and those years of yore, one occasion particularly sticks in my memory. We’d gone to Switzerland for the Lugano race walking week – four of us from Wakefield Harriers, myself, George Barras, Ray and Eric Lee plus Harry Holmes Jnr from Yorkshire RWC. As we were all Centurions we entered under that title for the five-legged Airolo – Chiasso relay. Looking back we were up against Italy, USA, Czechoslovakia, Sweden a London team (Warhurst, Mills, Marlow, Wesch and Embleton) and a German team which had internationals in it. We finished 12th which wasn’t too bad.
Pat Duncan, Roger Mills, Peter Marlow, Eric Lee, Me, George Barras, Judith, Harry Holmes Ray is immediately above John Warhust’s head Wilf Wesch, is next to John then Phil Embleton not sure who it is next to Phil. All is revealed, next to Phil is our very own Tony Malone, who raced the Thursday evening 10 kilometres.
The following weekend was the Lugano 100km and from the start my stomach was ‘off’ – I had the runs and at every town had to dash for the toilets in the local railway station. A good remedy I’ve found is Fernet-Branca (foul tasting drink) but it helps. Judith dashed into a bar early on before the bar was properly open and asked for a drink.The woman behind the bar was pouring a small measure, Judith grabbed a tumbler, poured her measure plus a lot more into the tumbler and dashed out to me.
“[Fernet] benefits the stomach, promotes digestion, strengthens the body, overcomes cholera, reduces fever, and heals those suffering from nervous weakness, lack of appetite, sickness or tapeworms; suitable for use as a preventative measure for all those who are obliged to reside in damp and infectious conditions.”
She was having her work cut out trying to feed us all but George and Harry were getting too far away. I was also, as the race went on, getting cramp and the toilets in the stations were holes in a flat surface with mouldings to place your feet. Now that’s no place to be when cramp strikes!
After the halfway (Locarno) there’s a mighty climb up Monte Ceneri and there was a rule you had to get there inside a certain time after the leader had gone through. If you were over this then you were stopped and classified.
Both Ray and Eric were miles in front of me but asked Judith how I was doing and would I make the cut off. She told them I should just make it. Then with generous sportmanship they decided to wait for me at the summit and ‘shepherd’ me into the finish where we were 15th in 11h 36m 18s – a great gesture because they’d have done much faster times if they’d not waited.
Happy days and great memories – Rest in Peace, Ray.
Lancashire Walking Club : Health The First Wealth 