Fellow Centurions,

We reach the end of another year and another nearer to the centenary of the Centurions, and also my first year of taking over the Presidential mantel from John Eddershaw C299.

I was pleased to be present at two main events of the year, the Colchester 100 and the Roubaix 28 hours both producing some well deserved performances by many of the participants. For a few of you the Colchester 100 was purely a training session and Roubaix bought out the best. Colchester was an excellent two days. Amazingly, the weather changed for the better for it rained heavily on the Friday night and again on Sunday night but whilst the race was in progress there was nothing but sunshine. Sandra Brown yet again produced another epic performance to win overall. My thanks to all who helped, officiated or who just turned up to watch. Piet Jansens C389 of our Dutch Brethren produced an excellent report with many photographs of the Colchester 100.

I had hoped to venture out and join up with Jill Green and the team on the round London Capital Ring route but was not able due to work commitments. However, the Centurions were well represented as can be seen from our Captain Charlie Weston's letter. My thanks go to Peter Selby for yet again organising the Raubaix gathering.

As I wrote in the Centurions web site letter, not available to you all I know, (have a quiet word with your children/grandchildren and they will find it for you!) our continuation depends on the generosity of our fellow centurions. At present our total funds are less than £1 per head of the total number of centurions, and our Treasurer has to keep tight reins on expenses. A small donation would greatly assist. If you would like to do so I know that Paul Sargent C.430 would be very grateful. His address is 22 Duckmill Crescent, Bedford, MK42 OAE. Many thanks.

When we hold "our" 100 mile /24 hour events we almost act like cuckoos and ask Clubs to organise while the Centurions take the credit. There has been discussion in the Centurions Committee to review how races are organised and you will find a paper by Ron Wallwork which sets out some thoughts about future 100's. Maybe we should endeavour to get more Centurions out to organise races and maybe look to the Centurions being the organisers of the Centenary 100 miles in 2011. There is a view that we could alternate with Holland in organising 100 miles races and this will be discussed at the AGM on 19 February 2005 at Leicester Walking Club HQ. We would require venues in 2007 and 2009 and of course 2011. Is there one near you that will be suitable? Next year the 100 is to be at Kings Lynn organised by Peter and Kath Duhig of Royston Runners. Can you all book your diaries for the weekend of 30-31 July and lets make it a great gathering. There should be plenty of room for a large tented village.

Although nothing is written in stone yet we are working on having electronic timekeeping for next years 100. This does not mean we do not need back up timekeepers and recorders so do not throw away that broken pencil and scrap of paper just yet. May I express my thanks to all those who have worked hard for the Centurions over the last year especially Chris Flint who stepped up at short notice from Assistant to Hon. Secretary.

2pm Christmas day is that time when we Centurions, if we are still sober enough to remember, raise a glass to our fellow Centurions wherever you may be and to spare a thought to the families of those who have passed away. A happy and hopefully prosperous New Year to you all.

Carl Lawton C750

President