Good to see Dave Evans showing sprightly form on the road as he puts to one side his administrative duties, which are so vital to our continued presence on the UK race walking scene plus a fastest clocking for Martin Payne.
Dave seen here with Christine Pearce. We have plans to organise a Virtual Fred Pearce Relay in the month of September
MENS AGE GRADED 2KM TEAM 1 Lancashire Walking Club (84.17%) 2 Manx Harriers (77.16%) 3 Sarnia Walking Club (71.60%) 4 Quickstep Fitness (68.30%) 5 Steyning AC (53.95%) 6 Birchfield Harriers (40.82%)
MENS 2KM TEAM 1 Manx Harriers (13) 2 Lancashire Walking Club (32) 3 Sarnia Walking Club (62) 4 Quickstep Fitness (70) 5 Steyning AC (179) 6 Birchfield Harriers (187)
Message from Mark Easton, the Honorary Race Walking Association Treasurer
Mark Easton – a great stylist
THE RWA 200 CLUB
What is it?
The Race Walking Association 200 Club is a monthly prize draw with cash prizes for members. It has been run successfully for the benefit of the RWA for a number of years, and is one of the three major funding sources for the RWA. We have up to 200 members each with a unique number that is entered into the monthly prize draw.
What can you win?
Every month we draw 3 numbers out to win prizes of £25 (1st prize), £15 (2nd prize) and £10 (3rd prize).
How much does it cost to become a member of the 200 Club?
The cost is just £12 per year for each number you hold, and there is no limit on how many numbers you can purchase.
This sounds great – how do I join?
It is payable by standing order on the 1st October each year. For details email Mark Easton at rwatreasurer@yahoo.co.uk
So come on and join in the fun and support your sport!
VIRTUAL CLUB SERIES 10 KILOMETRES
And don’t forget to submit your August 10 kilometres clocking for inclusion in our Club Virtual Series – tough to do in isolation – by midnight, Tuesday September 2.
Fred Pearce – never forgotten
We will be dropping down in distance for September to 5 kilometres with a view to holding a Fred Pearce Virtual Relay. Look out for more information.
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)
Lancashire Walking Club : Health The First Wealth 