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

Gloucester  2024 50K  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