<![CDATA[]]> http://localhost/blog/ EN Mon, 21 Nov 2022 11:20:00 +0000 Incomedia WebSite X5 Evo <![CDATA[New Zealand Centurions]]> imblog The 2022 edition of the New Zealand Centurion qualifying 100 mile race saw one more Centurion added to this unique band of race walkers.

British Centurion, Andrew Titley from the Isle of Man, became C29. Congratulation Andrew!
]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2022 11:20:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?new-zealand-centurions http://localhost/blog/rss/000000014 <![CDATA[new British Centurions]]> imblog new British Centurions qualify in Middlesborough


]]> Mon, 29 Aug 2022 20:52:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?new-british-centurions http://localhost/blog/rss/000000013 <![CDATA[new Australian Centurions]]> imblog
two new Australian Centurions - Remy Van Den Brand (C83) and Andrew Titley (C840 join the ranks. of Australian Centurion.

Congratulations!
]]> Sun, 10 Apr 2022 18:45:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?new-uk-centurions http://localhost/blog/rss/000000012 <![CDATA[Obituaries 2021]]> imblog

Obituaries
Published in Centurion news · 31 December 2021
Sadly, as time goes by, many Centurions leave us.

We have many good memories and anectodes to tell and most importantly, ensure that their achievements are never forgotten.

C939 Ray Platt
C605 Graham Peddie MBE
C471 Peter Goodchild
C266 Freddie Baker

The obituaries page lists and pay tributes to our friends who have departed.


]]> Fri, 31 Dec 2021 20:44:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?obituaries-2021 http://localhost/blog/rss/00000000C <![CDATA[Tokyo 50km walk]]> imblog
Dominic King appeals against Olympics snub

British 50km race walks record-holder has asked BOA to over-rule UKA decision
Three months ago, when Dominic King achieved his life goal of breaking Chris Maddocks’ long-standing British record for 50km race walk, he told AW he hoped his performance would earn him a spot in the British Olympic team despite his time being outside the qualifying standard for Tokyo.
The Colchester athlete clocked 3:51:13 in the Dudince 50km in Slovakia on March 20 to take 24 seconds off a national record that Maddocks has held since 1990 and, despite missing the Olympic qualifying mark of 3:50:00, he felt he would get an invitation from World Athletics via its rankings system.

This has happened but UK Athletics has not accepted the World Athletics invitation and now King, 38, has written to the British Olympic Association arguing that “the rules of fairness and due process have been violated”.
UKA has added athletes to its team via the World Athletics invitations this week such as high jumper Emily Borthwick, sprint hurdler David King, 1500m runner Revee Walcott-Nolan, 200m man Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and sprinter Jona Efoloko in the sprint relay.
King’s letter to the BOA says in part: “I am publicly requesting that the BOA accept the World Athletics invitation received by British Athletics for me to participate in the Tokyo Olympic 50km Race Walk based on the overall World Rankings invite system.
“The BOA should not be satisfied with my non nomination for selection, as basic rules of fairness and due process were violated.
“When World Athletics released the dual world ranking/auto-qualified times system (new for this Olympic cycle), it was designed with the view to National Governing Bodies around the world adopting such a system.
“Great Britain has two athletes who have qualified through ranking quota for this summer’s Olympic 50km walk — an amazing achievement considering severely restricted access to training and competitions, during the pandemic. Indeed, the British 50km walkers have had only one opportunity in order to qualify these past 18 months.

“In what is an event that is already discriminated against, with its removal from the 2024 Olympic programme and with reduced competition opportunities and limited qualification periods, it is astounding that our federation prohibited their 50km race walkers the opportunity to compete in their area championships in May (European Race Walking Team Championships).
“I request the BOA overrule British Athletics to select me to participate in the 50km Race Walk at the Tokyo Olympic Games, in accord with the World Athletics invite for me to do so.”

Athletics Weekly, Jul 3, 2021 |
]]> Sat, 03 Jul 2021 18:54:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?tokyo-50km-walk http://localhost/blog/rss/000000007 <![CDATA[Ann Sayer MBE Memorial Service]]> imblog

Ann Sayer MBE Memorial Service
28 April 2021

from Centurion  849 Chris Flint

I attended the memorial service for Ann at The Wharf, Teddington, suitably held on a pontoon and her ashes were scattered into the River Thames, a nice link with her rowing career.  I said a few words on behalf of The Centurions and told a few anecdotes to the small gathering of 15 (the largest number permitted).  Gail and John Elrik were also present as representatives of the Long Distance Walkers Association.  It was a nice service followed by tea and cakes in the open which was a bit chilly but in a lovely Springtime setting.

Ann’s relatives have sorted a lot of Ann’s papers and today gave me for safe keeping her Continental Centurions medal and a small trophy as shown in the attached photo.  They also have a large collection of Race Walking Records going back to the 1970’s.  Would anyone be interested in having them?   Ann's relatives have stated they would be keen for old editions of Race Walking Record to be handed over to someone interested in race walking.

Thought you would like to know about the service and our thoughts are very much of Ann’s extraordinary athletic career and her kindness towards everyone. Her MBE was richly deserved.  

]]> Wed, 28 Apr 2021 18:56:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?ann-sayer-mbe-memorial-service http://localhost/blog/rss/000000008 <![CDATA[Another Australian Centurion joins the club!]]> imblog
Australian Centurions 100 miles and 24 hour race
17-18 April 2021

Pramesh Prasad was first to reach 100 miles but stopped after a few more laps. Pramesh is now  C81 with an impressive 100 mile walk time of 20:43:42.

Victorian based ultra walker/runner Justin Scholz (C61) also covered 100 miles within 24 hours with a time of 21:32:28.
After a short rest, Justin continued to walk along slowly and hence got to a longer total distance and won the 24H race.

Well done both.
]]> Tue, 20 Apr 2021 21:03:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?another-australian-centurion-joins-the-club- http://localhost/blog/rss/000000009 <![CDATA[Centurion Dominic King breaks UK 50km record]]> imblog
Centurion Dominic King C1038 broke the UK 50 km record at Dudince (SVK) on 20 March 2021

The record, previously held by Chris Maddocks, has stood for 31 years.

Dominic, who had maintained a steady pace throughout, finished 10th with 3:51:13, just one minute thirteen seconds short of automatic Olympic qualification for Tokyo .
Congratulation to Domininc on a new UK national record


]]> Mon, 29 Mar 2021 21:06:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?centurion-dominic-king-breaks-uk-50km-record http://localhost/blog/rss/00000000A <![CDATA[Paul Nihill M.B.E. 1939-2020]]> imblog
Paul passed away at 9.00 am this morning (Tuesday, 15 December 2020) in Medway Hospital. He had complications from COVID.


Paul was not a Centurion but he was well known to Centurions and non-Centurions alike and he was so well respected that he consented to be our guest speaker at the Centurions Centenary Dinner at the House of Commons in 2011, where he gave a great address  commenting that it was the first time he had ever followed Carl Lawton!!
Paul at the Centurions Centenary Dinner 2011





Paul set world track bests for 3000m 11:51.1 (1971) and 5000m 20:14.2 (1972), and road 20k 1:24:50 (1972). His numerous other British records and bests included track: 1M 6:17.0 (1970), 30k 2:28:44.0 (1972), 20 miles 2:40:42.6 (1972), and road: 10M 1:08:18 (1972), 20k 1:24:50 (1972), 20 miles 2:30:35 (1971), 50k 4:11:31.2 (1964). Other pbs: track 2M 13:16.0 (1969), 5M 34:25.0 (1969), 7M 49:03.0 (1969), 10,000m 42:34.6 (1972), 1 hour 13.671m (1969); road 10k 42:17 (1972), 30k/35k 2:23:54/2:49:53 (1972).
Peter Matthews Editor of Athletics International & International Athletics Annual

Just a few tributes from his fellow race walkers...

Paul was  one of  a very select band of race walkers who put our sport at the top of the tree in the 1960's.  
His achievements as a GB athlete were phenomenal  and his Silver Medal in Tokyo (just 17 seconds off of Gold) following on from Don Thompson's gold in Rome  Four years earlier  proved  the strength and depth we had at 50k. But Paul was equally at home doing 20k or even just 3k.
As a club mate in the 1960's I got to know his back very well  almost to the point when I was close enough...not very often....of having a conversation with his shoulder blades.  He liked to be in front and made sure that that is where he remained.
He particularly enjoyed going up hills and had a knack of getting to the top and where most would  take a short breather, he upped the pace by 10%, one reason why he won so many races.
I believe Paul started out as a boxer and when he was racing you could sense his jabs especially going up hill until at a certain point in the race he produce the " killer " punch and surge on to victory. I am sure that many of the top walkers at that time (the world over) were beaten by Paul's sheer tenacity; he was not a natural athlete but one whose determination had no equal......he had a  dry and  ironic sense of humour but liked nothing better than a good chat after a race.
His early progress was very much guided by Dickie Green (Surrey WC) who did so much for  many young walkers and novices whether they be in Surrey Walking Club or the Stock Exchange.
Sport, generally and athletics in general, did not show quite the interest or support now offered to our top performers but I suspect Paul may not have wanted it any other way........
Farewell to  a truly brilliant walker and athlete you inspired many of us.
Peter Selby (Surrey WC)

Very sad news. It was an honour to have known him. Our condolences to Paul’s family.
Malc and Angela Martin. (Surrey WC)

I also had the privilege of both knowing him and taking part in the same races as Paul albeit, in my case, some 200 places below him in the finishing order! His early life had been difficult and he found a lot of stability in boxing and then race walking.  A wonderful athlete and individual who inspired so many of us.  RIP.
Chris Flint (Centurion and Surrey WC member)

]]> Tue, 15 Dec 2020 20:48:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?paul-nihill-m-b-e--1939-2020 http://localhost/blog/rss/00000000D <![CDATA[Len Creo RIP]]> imblog

Len Creo


from Len's daughter Annie
Len Creo came to Race walking late in life when he reached his sixtieth birthday he suddenly decided to take up the sport and it instantly became something he was passionate about for the rest of his life.
He competed in five veteran Athletics world championships in Malmo, Buffalo, Gateshead, Brugge and Oregan and won gold medals in his age group for each of these events.
Len was incredibly proud to become a Centurion  in  1990 at the age of 67 he was at the time the oldest person to become a Centurion.  To qualify he had to walk 100 miles within the 24 hour time limit in accordance with racewalking rules.  He achieved this in the time of 22 hours and 20 minutes and 55 seconds,  His Centurion Number is 871.
Roubaix was another event that he was very passionate about.  It is a 28 hour race walking event held in France.  Len completed the event 6 times and he was the oldest person to have competed in the event.
Len competed in numerous marathons and was very proud and to represent Great Britain in International walking events wearing a GB vest and win gold.
One marathon that sums up Len's fighting spirit was in the Cardiff Marathon in October 2005.  After a gruelling fight with bowel cancer he developed a good relationship with his surgeon Mr Harper and set about winning his next gold medal for him.  Approximately four months after his last surgery he won gold in the over 80’s age group at the age of 82.
Len was a constant inspiration and encouragement for friends and family through his racewalking.  Whilst on a family weekend away in Seaton Dorset he racewalked their 5 km Parkrun event with the whole family, winning the over 95s age group record.
Len made a documentary video when he reached 90.
from British Centurion Dave AInsworth:
Ross-on-Wye based Len, keenly supported Veterans/Masters' Championships no matter where held.  So many will be so sorry to hear of his passing - just days before his 97th birthday.  
Len was a good athlete and while with Worcester AC at a meeting in Derbyshire he approached Clubmate John Marshall and asked if he could have a go at race walking?  Len was then aged 60 - the answer was affirmative and the rest is history, as John become Len's coach.
While recovering from war injuries,  Len was introduced to art as therapy.  This unlocked latent talent with Len becoming so good, he was able to make a living out of it with many paintings being sold.   Len became a Centurion when completing the first Leicester 100 miles walk to be held on a tough Hungarton course. Len clocked 22:20.55 claiming number 871.  At that time he became the most senior athlete to finish a UK 100 miles for a first time when aged 67.
Despite being treated for bowel cancer, Len - aged 82 - won the M80 category at the 2005 Cardiff Marathon.  Later he set an M95 category course record at a Seaton (Devon) parkrun.
Tributes :
Another piece of sad news, though I believe Len was almost 97, so a good innings.   A talented artist, he gave me a brochure from one of his exhibitions, which I treasure.  I will never forget the first day I met him, after an indoor 3,000m at Cosford, which we had on VHS for years, nor losing him at the Eurotunnel terminus after a trip to Roubaix.   Such a nice man.   Cath Duhig.
]]> Fri, 03 Jan 2020 21:47:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?len-creo-rip http://localhost/blog/rss/000000010 <![CDATA[Colin Young C.317 RIP]]> imblog
C. 317 Colin Young  R.I.P
1935-2019

Colin was a very well known and well liked race walker not only in the UK, but also in France and further afield. Colin passed away on 17 December 2019 and our sport bids farewell to one of its most memorable characters who made a huge contribution to athletics - both as a long distance race walker, and as a founder member of the NUTS (National Union of Statisticians).
Colin took up race walking in 1947, aged 12, and by his early twenties was already winning races competing for Newham & Essex Beagles clocking times of 1:39:27 for 20km in 1962 and 4:35:20 for 50km in 1963.
Colin proved to be a formidable and gutsy competitor and he achieved Centurion status in 1960 at the Walton 24 hours track race covering 131 miles and 37 yards in 24 hours. His 100 mile time was 17:48:05. Two years later he walked from London to Brighton in 8 hr 7 min 42 sec and in 1966 he won the international 100km race in Lugano.
In 1970 Colin  (pictured left during the S-P) became the first British race walker to complete the  512km Strasbourg-Paris race coming 5th in 74 hours 24 minutes. This was less than a month since his 2nd place at the Rouen 24 hour race. The following year, Colin won the Rouen 24 hours with a 215,835km and went on to place 3rd in the Strasbourg-Paris covering the 520km in 73 hours 38 minutes.  In 1972, Colin won the Rouen 24H  again with a distance of 212,015km and went on to compete in the Strasbourg-Paris  513km that year but  did not finish.

Colin continued to compete for several more decades, winning numerous international medals as a veteran. Colin was considered to be the expert on reporting the UK and world walking scene and from 1967 to 1986 was the highly respected and ever enthusiastic walking correspondent of Athletics Weekly. For over 60 years he remained a member of the NUTS committee.

There have been many tributes to Colin on Facebook:
from Chris Maddocks:   RIP Colin Young, British ultra-distance walks legend 1935-2019. Utmost respect for this inspirational man. Grabbing me by the shoulders as was his want whenever we met, if he talked, I listened. ... Colin had an encyclopedic knowledge for sports names. Another fond memory was his words during and after the 1983 World Cup 50kms. During the race his tough shouting inspired me to finish 9th with a new GB record of 4.02.37. Afterwards he said I should've gone sub 4. He was right of course. RIP Colin. Proud to have been a friend.

from Alain Moulinet:
My friend Denis has  just announced a very sad news: Colin Young's death in his 85th year.
Extremely friendly character who marked the March of grand background of the 70s. Winner twice of the 24 h of Rouen in 1971 and 72 with a better performance of 215 km835, he also illustrated himself brilliantly On the first three editions of the Strasbourg-Paris in 1970 5th-71 3th. In particular, he came to the lead at the first mandatory rest in 1970.
My friend Colin, everyone who had the chance to walk by your side is very sad today.
With your so delicious British accent, your look is so original and your brown and curly hair that the wind will shine so cheerful, you will forever stay in our memories.
Goodbye Colin, rest in peace.

Denis Dugast:  rencontré Colin dès 1971 à Londres et Brighton,avec les déplacements organisés par Francis Herbet(avec Alain).Ce fut le début d'une grande amitié sportive avec Alan Buchanan,qui nous présenta les NIHILL PAUL MILLS ROGER,DAVE BOXALL COLIN YOUNG...etc...la marche athétique alors en Angleterre étant une discipline majeure.Pendant des décennies,les champions se sont succédés.Nous avons eu ainsi le privilège de parler à Monsieur WHILOCK HAROLD-Champion olympique à Berlin-1936:50kms en 4h30'31"4!. Nous avons marché à Brighton,il était juge,souvenir inoubliable.Nous avons marché souvent chez nos amis outre manche,et nous avons eu beaucoup d'échanges (Alan Buchanan, Peter Marlow, Bob Dobson(record de GBR à St Denis-50piste),Ken HARDING EDDERSHAW COLIN YOUNG (100piste 24hpiste)…Alain a brillé en Angleterre(8hpiste,50k,Hastings Brighton,London Brighton…),que de souvenirs.Que d'aventures avec Dave Boxall (200K Strasbourg Paris),avec Alan Bob et Colin.Toute la famille Marche pense à lui.
Alain Moulinet:   Merci Denis pour ces souvenirs impérissables au royaume des pedestrians. Belle époque incontestablement de la marche athlétique avec des personnages hors du commun. Des amitiés profondes qui dépassaient le cadre du sport. Je souhaite aux générations futures de revivre de tels moments. Nous étions à des années lumières du sport spectacle d'aujourd'hui. Comme le chante si justement Christophe Maé "c'est con le bonheur, car c'est souvent après qu'on sait qu'il était là" ...

John Cannell:  Beyond words about Colin . A massive hero of mine. He won our first three TT walks and was the first man to break 6 hours. The first Brit I think to finish the Strasbourg to Paris. He was one tough man who sadly was always in the shadow of Don Thompson,as everyone was. Loved meeting him. His knowledge about sport was incredible. Race walking,Tour de France etc. He deserves a massive tribute in the media which of course will not happen. So much can be said about this remarkakable man. RIP Colin

Gilbert Sibiril Belver: j aime l hommage et triste a la fois pour lui et ses proches

Pascal Pioppi: Je l'avais accompagné en vélo quelques km à la sortiei de Meaux. Il était au bout de ses forces mais nous avions échangé quelques mots. Un homme solide dans sa tête. Un grand !

Gérard Goujon: UN TOUT GRAND MARCHEUR

Jean Pierre: Chapeaux Un champion ne meurt jamais

Benoit Olmeta: Adieu a un très grand Marcheur de Strasbourg Paris que j'ai connu et apprécié en 1971 qu il repose en paix

From Carl Lawton: I new Colin from the late 60's when I fell into the walking circle. Two events come to mind, one was the  GLC 10 at Battersea, in the snow, when he managed to get round without any problem and I slid and slithered to a disastrous race, promising never to race in snow again,
The other was at Brockwell Park, the Lambeth 5, I think Colin had just finished the Strasbourg suffering from sunburn and Pat Duncan slapped him on the back. That did not go down too well.  We always had the connection that we shared the same birthday along with Golubnichy.
He was a man I would make an effort to cross a room to talk to and he would talk to anyone.

TIm Erickson'sfull tribute can be read on the Centurion Achievements page
]]> Sun, 22 Dec 2019 19:53:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?colin-young-c-317-rip http://localhost/blog/rss/00000000B <![CDATA[2019 Newletter]]> imblog
read all about it!

[image:image-0]
a round up of what Centurions world wide have been up to during the year.
]]> Tue, 10 Dec 2019 21:52:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?2019-newletter http://localhost/blog/rss/000000011 <![CDATA[Cath Duhig - Master of the Year]]> imblog
MAJOR AWARD

UK Centurion Cath Duhig has been elected as "Female Master-of-the-Year" in the Mercia Region (Spain).

Her award is to be received at a Gala Presentation in Cieza. One wonders where this talented, enthusiastic and committed athlete keeps all her many medals, cups, plaques certificates and prizes, as they just keep on coming!
Cath won similar sporting awards in East Anglia, and now they're being presented on mainland Europe!  Cath qualified as Centurion 986 at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in 2003, clocking 21:27.43 when finishing in 8th position (3rd lady) wearing the colours of Ryston Runners.
In 2005 Cath was a prominent Organising Committee member when the UK 100 miles Championship was staged at King's Lynn.
Report by Dave Ainsworth

Note : Cath now lives in Murcia, Spain where there are not too many race walks. Cath is known for travelling 7 hours by bus to get to a 5km race and then travel 7 hours back again, Now that is dedication!
]]> Fri, 15 Nov 2019 21:31:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?cath-duhig---master-of-the-year http://localhost/blog/rss/00000000E <![CDATA[EMU 6 day race]]> imblog
Four Centurions (from three countries) took part in the EMU 6 day race in Balatonfured Hungary  9th-15th May 2019.

Primarily a running event (but needs must...), this race does attract several race walkers each year.
This year, Centurions from the UK were Richard Brown and Kathy Crilley with Ivo Majetic (USA/Aus);  Justin Sholz (AUS/UK/Continental) made up the Centurion contingent. Dave Hoben (Surrey WC) completed the race walking party in 2019.
The race was held at a campsite on the shores of Lake Balaton and the recently re-surfaced paths made it a perfect venue.

However, the weather was pretty depressing... it started in the rain and finished in the rain with just one day where it didn't rain! Severe weather warnings were issued for Monday and Tuesday which didn't bode well... well Ok just like home....

Justin and Ivo led the way for the race walkers in first 24 hours with Justin completing 100 miles in under 23 hours. Ivo walked very strongly and his aim was to get to 500 miles having missed this target in 2018 (489 miles and 3rd overall!) Alas, Ivo came into the 2019 with an injury and had to abandon 2 days into the race after completing just over 231 km.

So, Justin became the lead Centurion despite suffering from the usual foot problems (blisters, aching feet, tired legs..).  Nevertheless, he soldiered on coming 27th out of 97 with 572,127 km.  Breaking a coule of Australian race walking records along the way.
Richard opted to run the race interspersed with walking and completed 565.360k setting new M70 category 48 hour and 6 day national records, coming 29th.
Kathyy Crilley, a little slower.... completed 404.66km in 69th postion  and achieving the W70 category 48 hour and 6 day national records, and in addition a W70 6 day world best for walking.
David Hoben walked a total of 353.118k in 74th place overall.

It has to be said that many of the runners, once they see race walkers in action, realise that they are missing out and say "I wish that I could walk as fast as you...". Some do put on a very good show of race walking and their technique would not get them DQ'd in an official race walk. So, how can we lure them into race walking?

6 Day Races
Once a staple of UK ultra race walking and indeed Centurion Paddy Dowling held the record for many decades (until 2015).
These days, there are only a few 6 day races around the world each year. The race in Privas, France is the only one with an official walking category with judges, so results are official in the race walking world. But the weather gets rather very  hot and the course is on a dirt track.
Balatonfured, Hungary – an almost flat asphalt course with cabins provided to racers and their helpers. Many runners set their personal best there and is becoming popular with race walkers despite the lack of judges.



]]> Fri, 31 May 2019 20:34:00 GMT http://localhost/blog/?emu-6-day-race http://localhost/blog/rss/00000000F