Boyd MILLEN C 930  1936-2006

Boyd climbing Walla Crag on the weekend of the 2005 LDWA 100,
as big a feat as his Centurion walks

Lilian Millen made the following brief announcement to notify fellow walkers that her husband Boyd Millen had finally lost his battle against cancer. The brief details were as follows:
I am sorry to tell you that Boyd died peacefully on the 26^th January. He celebrated his 70^th birthday in the Hospice surrounded by many friends and family on the 25th. His condition deteriorated very quickly, we feel he was waiting for his birthday. He fought so hard all the time and we did everything we could in the last year. He walked 20 miles cross country using his crutches and even went climbing on the high fells. He also did a 68 mile cycle ride over the fell roads. He will be missed by many. There is a tribute on www.ldwa.org.uk

from Essex Walker:

not one with Essex connections, as far as we know, but one who many readers will have met and will be sorry to hear of his departure during January at the age of 70 years.  Wenew him as a distance walker, both in the UK and on mainland Europe and as a Centurion (No. 930).  Before striding out, he made his name as a top class fell runner.  Indeed he was the first to complete the Bob Graham run twice – back-to-back.  That’s a double 70 miles run visiting every Lakeland peak over 3,000 feet!  Boyd had not been well of late, but still got out onto the fells with his crutches.  You just can’t keep a good man away from his chosen activity!  We extend our condolences to his widow LILLIAN, who is also a Centurion (No. 907) as is well known in walking circles in her own right..  

Boyd Millen died on Thursday, 26th January 2006.  He had been unwell for some months, but showed characteristic spiritedness, courage and humour throughout.
He continued to walk his beloved Lakeland fells on crutches, determined to fight the good fight. I shall cherish very fond and happy memories of the many walks we enjoyed together, including Centurion events in the UK and abroad, LDWA walks, and Paris - Colmar walks on which Boyd was a great team member. Boyd always kept everyone smiling, through highs and lows.
Before becoming a Centurion, Boyd was for many years an outstanding fell runner, and was the first to accomplish a double Bob Graham round - the circuit of all the Lakeland tops over 3000 feet, over 70 miles, twice, back to back. Life shouldn't be measured in years but in what you do with it. It would be hard to live a fuller life than Boyd did.

from Kathy Crilley:

I have some extremely fond memories of Boyd which I shall always cherish. Supporting at the 48hours race in Blackpool in the early 1990's with Boyd sporting my dainty aquamarine skiing jacket, (very not Boyd!) then feeding myself and Hilary Walker with marmalade sandwiches on the Manchester to Blackpool and (grudgingly!) following Boyd around Battersea Park for 100 miles in 1995 where we both became Centurions. Boyd completed his first 100 miles in 22 28 25. He was a great team member - even though he wasn't in our team - but he was always there to encourage the flagging spirits of everyone, chivvying us all along when we felt low and always bringing a smile to our faces. God bless.

Vale Boyd MILLEN
from Tim Erickson, Australian Centurions

It was a sad announcement but not unexpected by those of us who knew of Boyd's battle. Lilian and Boyd had made the decision to share their remaining time to the full and not to publicly announce the details of Boyd's condition. During the year since the initial diagnosis, Boyd deteriorated gradually but relentlessly but he continued to lead a full life and do what he loved most – enjoy the wild country he had so often walked in healthier times.

 I well remember Boyd's trip to Australia in 2000 when he became Australian Centurion number 41 with a fine walk under adversity. He was unable to really eat or drink anything during the whole 24 hours and had to dig deep into his own reserves to somehow keep the pace going and keep on schedule. With this walk, Boyd became a triple centurion, adding to his 1995 British and 1999 Continental Centurions finish.

At 64 years of age, he was second oldest person to have achieved the feat in Australia. (the honour of the oldest Centurion finish belonged to Merv Lockyer (C30) who achieved his membership at 65 years of age).

Boyd came to Australia specifically for this event and his single minded determination paid off. He confided to me after the event that this might be his last Centurion race due to his feeding problems. He planned to restrict himself to the various Fells events and Long Distance Walking Association events and this proved to be the case.

 To say the Boyd was as tough as nails was an understatement. He had worked as a stone mason, a specialist field that meant days on end spent in inhospitable conditions refurbishing old stonework - he worked for 19 years on Liverpool cathedral and the memorial service was held for him there. He loved stone work and did stone carvings as a hobby. When I noticed that he did not wear socks in our event and commented that he should perhaps rug up a little for the cold night conditions, he confided to me that this would not be necessary – it was not really cold and he never wore socks. He was as good as his word, walking consistently through a cold Melbourne night with seeming nonchalance.

 We pass our deepest condolences onto Lilian Boyd will be sadly missed by us all - walking has indeed lost a wonderful ambassador.

Boyd gratefully accepts a can of Aussie beer after finishing
the Australian Centurion walk in 2000