At the 2022 AGM Frans Leijtens C949 informed the meeting that T. Damen, a member of Attila (Holland) was known as a funny, agreeable gentleman who was always making jokes and having a laugh. His career in long distance race walking was brief. He completed one GB Centurion and Roubaix in the same year; Damen qualified at the 1995 Battersea Park 100 miles in 22.59.59.
Damen passed away May 2021.
Derek, a member of Folkestone A.C., passed away on 3rd August 2021 following a short illness. He qualified at the 1991 Ewhurst 100 miles in 23.37.26.
Derek was featured on the front cover of Race Walking Record (Issue 686, December 1999) because he had been awarded the “Cyril Evans Cup”, an annual award for long distance walker of the year awarded to the walker who covered the most miles in a series of 8 long distance Open races.
He was a loyal supporter to Don Thompson C631, 50K medallist in the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Pia with Piet Jansens C389
Sadly Pia passed away in February 2021. A member of the R.W.V. (Holland) she qualified at the 1986 Leicester 100 miles (Congerstone) in 22:48:45.
From the south of the Netherlands, it was Pia who encouraged the young Frans Leijtens C949 to take up walking. Such was her enthusiasm for walking her daughter Corina Riezebos-Rijploeg C1203, son-in-law Gerrit and all her family joined the R.W.V. Sandra Brown C735 recalled Pia meeting walkers on the annual 160km Nijmegen to Rotterdam walk, encouraging them through with friendly words.
A member of LAT (Holland), Huub was well-known for completing 5 GB Centurions. He qualified at the 1979 Ewhurst 100 miles in 21.52.56. He accomplished his best time of 20:48:04 in his fifth and final race at Ewhurst in 1987, and completed the Nijmegen 4Daagse more than 60 times. He died in March 2021.
Martyn was a member of the Long Distance Walkers Association when he qualified at the 1977 Bristol 100 miles in 22.36.02.
Martin was an active member of the LDWA, ultra-distance running and Park Run scene. He completed 14 LDWA 100 mile and was regarded as a stalwart member of the LDWA. He was a pillar of the West Chiltington community, taking part in worldwide and local running events, always cheerful, offering encouragement and support to fellow participants. In later years he was an enthusiastic participant and supporter of the local 5K Park Run.
Martyn passed away in July 2021.
A member of Surrey Walking Club, Graham qualified as Centurion 605 at the 1977 Bristol 100 miles in 21.56.47.
Graham not only took part in ultra-distance runs & walks, he dedicated an enormous part of his life providing support for the community & homeless. He was warden of Tanners Hatch Youth Hostel for many years and during his time there gave children their first experience of the outside world. He was awarded the M.B.E in 2002 for his charitable work.
Graham passed away in May 2021. He will be remembered lovingly by Maureen, his wife of 56 years and two sons Kevin and Michael.