The 99th Centurion race was held 24th – 25th August 2024 in Gloucester on the athletic track at the Blackbridge Jubilee Athletics Track in conjunction with the annual ultra distance running races organised by “eventswerun” .
The 100 miles incorporated a supporting 50K race walk, time limit 9 hours. To complete 100 miles walkers in Lane 4 had to complete 381 laps plus 12.2 metres. Walkers used different lanes to the runners.
Starting times were: 100 miles – 10:00am; 50K – midnight
Entry fees were: £125.00 for UKA-affiliated, £127.00 for non-affiliated.
The usual rules regarding wearing leg covering and headphones applied i.e. the wearing of tights was at the discretion of the Chief Judge and decided on the day. Wearing headphones was not permitted.
Gloucester 2024 Track 100 miles Race Programme
Gloucester 2024 Track 100 miles Results
Report of Centurions 100 Miles in 24 Hours held at Gloucester on 24th/25th August 2024
The Centurions 100 Miles in 24 Hours race held in conjunction with the RWA Long Distance Championship was held over the weekend of 24th 25th August at the Gloucester Athletic Club track. The organisers were Paul Corderoy and Maria Katsiva Corderoy of Severn Valley Events Ltd who promoted the joint 24 hours event for runners and walkers. For the Centurions and RWA it was a new venture. In brief, it was a good event and the organisers were pleased to have the walking races with their 24 hour running race. There was also a midnight 50000m race walk. Whilst the entry fees were higher than usual, the participants had the benefit of meals, soups, gazebos, bell tents, medics and First Aid, massages, track side toilets, club house access and showers, chip timing and visual screens for up-to-date lap completions and positions, and camping facilities for personal tents. The layout was well positioned and every athlete as well as judges and officials had tables and shelter. It was impressively well done.
At 10 am the 18 walkers were sent on their way by starter Roger Michell and occupied lanes 4, 5 and 6. They had to complete 381 laps. The runners had the inside lanes. It was agreed the walkers would not change direction which the runners did at set intervals. The weather was variable but did not inconvenience the athletes’ progression. The walkers comprised an international group representing clubs from the Netherlands, Australia, the US, New Zealand, the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, England, and Belgium as well as some unattached athletes.
Jonathan Hobbs took an early lead and set a steady 18 hour pace, and was tracked by Australian husband and wife team Justin and Sharon Scholz with the Belgian trio of Ignace Matthys, Detlef Santy and Kurt Tempels in close pursuit. The Dutch team of Frank van der Gulik, Jantinus Meints, and Frans Leijtens kept a watchful eye on the early leaders while the always reliable Andrew Titley of the Isle of Man Veterans encouraged fellow club mates Russell Walker and Colin Moore to keep to their schedule. Susan Grimes from the US had narrowly missed out on Centurions qualification at Middlesbrough last year and was determined to succeed. Despite all her efforts she again fell short. As the race progressed positions changed and others left the field.
The 100 miles race concluded with an impressive win for Jonathan Hobbs (Ashford AC). He had recovered from a serious bout of sickness which dropped him to 4th position and a deficit of 8 laps to regain the lead and win overall in 20.38.06. A dramatic comeback. Justin Scholz (Wangaratta Runners) finished second 21.20.49 with Ignace Matthys of the Belgian club Dwars Door Brakel third in 21.39.54. Richard McChesney walked the most laps to complete 24 hours covering a distance of 102.471 miles.
Two New Centurions
Dave Jones, the Centurions President, presented Centurions medals to the two athletes who qualified as Centurions, namely Detlef Santy as Centurion 1221 and Kurt Tempels as Centurion 1222, both from Belgian clubs.
Centurion Trophies
Detlef also received the Hew Neilson C145 trophy as the first new Centurion. The Hammond Trophy for the first male existing Centurion was awarded to Jonathan Hobbs, and the Bristol Trophy for the first existing female to Sharon Scholz. The Sunday Despatch Trophy for the fastest winning team to reach 100 miles went to the Dutch duo of Frank van der Gulik and Jantinus Meints of the RWV club.
Race Walking Association Trophies
Chris Hobbs, RWA President, presented the Wilkinson Sword to his son Jonathan as winner of the RWA Championship, and the Ken Smith Memorial Trophy to Andrew Titley for the event’s most memorable performance. Both received RWA championship medals.
50K Race Walk
A 50000m invitation race was held starting at midnight which was convincingly won by Steve Allen (Barnet & District AC) in 06.35.00 with James Simpson (unattached) second in 6.47.12 with Roy Gunnett (Lancashire WC) in third position in 06.57.33. This was another good event.
The officials, Eric Horwill, Glyn Jones, Andrew and Eleanor Clough, Colin Bradley, and Roger Michell worked tirelessly throughout the 24 hours and deserve the highest of thanks from the athletes. Fortunately there were no incidents of any significance requiring action. Overall, a most enjoyable event that benefited from excellent organisation, a good rapport between walkers and runners, and the work of volunteer helpers who ensured that the athletes were well looked after.
Chris Flint C849
Hon. Secretary
Finishing Times at 100 Miles (160934m)
Position | Name | Club | Time |
1 | Jonathan Hobbs | Ashford AC | 20:38:06 |
2 | Justin Scholz | Wangaratta Runners, Australia | 21:20:49 |
3 | Ignace Matthys | Dwars Door Brakel, Belgium | 21:39:54 |
4 | Sharon Scholz | Wangaratta Runners, Australia | 21:45:25 |
5 | Jantinus Meints | RWV, Netherlands | 22:02:33 |
6 | Detlef Santy | 12 uren van Lauwe, Belgium | 22:07:04 |
7 | Frank van der Gulik | RWV | 22: 58:50 |
8 | Richard McChesney | Unattached (New Zealand) | 23:23:15 |
9 | Andrew Titley | Isle of Man Veterans | 23:32:02 |
10 | Kurt Tempels | Hanske de Krijger, Belgium | 23:32:51 |
Less than 100 Miles
Position | Name | Club | Time |
11 | Werner De Laet | Belgium (85.562 miles) | 20:17:02 |
12 | Russell Walker | Isle of Man Veterans (83.988 miles) | 23:32:02 |
13 | Brenda M-O’Keeffe | 100 Marathon Club (81.024 miles) | 24:00.00 |
14 | Susan Grimes | Unattached (US) (73.490 miles) | 17:35:46 |
15 | Colin Moore | Isle of Man Veterans (51.395 miles | 13:20:01 |
16 | Cedric Castille | Unattached (47.508 miles) | 09:58:57 |
17 | Frans Leijtens | RWV (38.586 miles) | 08:57:43 |
18 | Sean M Smith | 100 Marathon Club (32.998 miles) | 24:00:00 |
50000m Open Race
Position | Name | Club | Time |
1 | Steve Allen | Barnet & District AC | 06:35:00 |
2 | James Simpson | Unattached | 06:47:12 |
3 | Roy Gunnett | Lancashire WC | 06:57:33 |
4 | Marcin Wojtowicz | Winchester & District AC | 07:02:57 |
5 | Colin Vesty | Leicester WC | 07:25:59 |
6 | Mark Vallint | Unattached (30.017 miles) | 10:00:31 (48310m) |
7 | Christopher Flint | Surrey WC (26.343 miles) | 07:41:57 (42397m) |
8 | John Stephenson | Unattached (15.583 miles) | 05:43:34 (25080m) |
9 | Graham Wilkes | Unattached (14.271 miles) | 03:58:34 (22968m) |
Chris Flint C849
Hon. Secretary