1993 Battersea Park London (200 km/ 24 Hours)

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This 200 km / 24 hour race was the first time a 24 hour race had been held in Great Britain other than on the track. The 4 km circuit started and finished at the bandstand for ease of recording as this was essentially a 200 km race. Regrettably for those who decided only to do 100 miles, the race finish was at a lonely caravan more than half a mile away from the main centre of activity.

105 walkers started the race, the second largest number in any British ultra distance race.

58 completed the 24 hours, however the first 3 were not required to be on their feet for the full 24 hours, having already reached 200 km. 25 became new Centurions but only 10 of them continued beyond the 100 mile mark. The first new Centurion and also first at 100 miles and overall winner was Alexsey Radionov, who became only the second Russian walker to join our ranks since George Lind C24 in 1908. His 200 km time of 22 hours 4 minutes 39 seconds was more than 50 minutes better than the runner up, Richard Brown C760. One might have thought that Richard would be the first British walker at 100 miles, but as his target was the full 200 km distance he was beaten to the 100 by just over a minute, by Chris Berwick of Leicester who stopped at the 100 mile mark. The whole event was a tremendous success and thought to be one of the best races ever seen in Great Britain, so much so there have been calls for it to be repeated.

1993 Battersea Park London (200 km/ 24 Hours)   Race Programme

1982 Leicester (Congerstone) 100 miles

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On 20th August a strong field of 77 were set on their way by the Lord Mayor of Leicester in calm and pleasant conditions. 55 of them eventually returned to Leicester after a cold and windy night where almost everyone had to resort to wearing a track suit.

They were led home by Mike Holmes, son of Harry C303. Among the 33 new qualifiers were three female walkers, Irene Corlett finished in 3rd place with a magnificent time of 18 hours 54 minutes 5 seconds, Aaf de Rijk of Holland was some 2¾ hours behind her 18 hours 28 minutes 1 second set earlier in the year at St. Oedenrode.

The third of the three ladies was Sandra Brown of the Long Distance Walkers Association (L.D.W.A.) She had turned up with a rucksack and boots, not knowing what to expect. After being assured that her belongings would be kept safe and there would be no need for her boots, she completed the race in an average time, seemingly without any undue effort, collected her belongings and caught her train back to London. At the presentations held in Leicester, Miss McNeir, daughter of Eddie C375, presented the first McNeir Shield to 68 year old Jac Heidendaal C674.

 

1982 Leicester 100 miles; Programme 

1982 Leicester 100 miles; Results 

1982 Leicester 100 miles: Map of Course

1981 Brighton, 24 Hour Track Race

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This race, held on 23rd-24th May, was sponsored by the Endeavour Motor Co. and became known as the “Endeavour 24 hours” .

Only 20 of the 26 entrants toed the line, notable absentees being, Emile Alomaine C470 and the very good French walker, Alain Moulionet. The event was somewhat spoilt by persistent rain, therefore no records were set, but nevertheless the first 3 all got above 120 miles, with local man Dave Boxall in 4th place just short. The winner with an excellent 129 miles was Geoff Tranter C507, from the other 13 who lasted the distance. 11 completed 100 miles, the only new man being George Beecham C716 of Belgrave Harriers.

1981 “Endeavour” 24 hour track walk, Brighton & Hove AC; list of Starters

1981 “Endeavour” 24 hour track walk, Brighton & Hove AC; Results

1980 Leicester (Congerstone) 100 miles

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98 walkers started the race, a new record for a Leicester race. The race started from the town centre and proceeded west for 13 miles to join a 10½ mile circuit just outside the village of Congerstone. After 7 laps of this circuit the walkers retraced their steps back to the start.

64 were successful in this event.

The winner for a record breaking sixth time in his career was Dave Boxall C464 by just under 20 minutes from the first of 28 new Centurions, Tony Collins C688 of Birmingham. The time gap and even the result might have been different but for the fact that Tony went off course during the night, costing him about 8 minutes. Freddie Baker C266 completed his 10th 100 and there were 4 new Dutch Centurions, bringing their total up to 125, 17½% of the registered members.

1980 Leicester (Congerstone) 100 miles – Results

 

1979 Ewhurst 100 miles

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1979 The Surrey “100” Open Road Walk; Programme

The Ewhurst 100 was held on 23rd-24th June, but before the race was even started there had been problems which led to articles being published in the national press.

Ann Sayer C599 and Dianne Pegg C608 had been refused entry by the Surrey Walking Club on the grounds that there were insufficient facilities to accommodate ladies at the Ewhurst venue, and had they accepted their entries they would have to accept entries from a host of continental females as well. Whether or not this was the true reason, one will never know. A late entry was however, accepted from Dave Boxall C464 who had previously withdrawn having been selected for a 2 day race in France, which was cancelled 2 days before it was due to take place.  A total of 107 men, the greatest number ever, started the race, one of them would fall foul of the judges on the first 10 mile lap.

The early leader was Derek Harrison C466, but he was overtaken at 50 miles by Dave Boxall who went on to score his fifth British win.  77, another new record, completed the race, 37 of them for the first time.

1979 The Surrey “100” Open Road Walk; Results

1976 Leicester to Skegness

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In 1976 the Centurions once again attempted to arouse more interest by holding a meeting prior to the Imber Court race in January, unfortunately the result was similar to the previous year.  There was some discontent from the captain Hew Neilson C145, when a resolution was passed to reimburse him with the costs of producing and posting his excellent Christmas letter.  He said it was his contribution to the society he held so dear and refused the offer of payment.

In May, Charlie Megnin C288 organised and promoted a 24 hour track race at Woodford Green. 23 started and a ding dong battle, reminiscent of the 1960 race, was fought out between Colin Young C317 and Derek Harrison C466, the result being a win for Harrison with 131 miles 336 yards, only 9 yards better than Colin Young’s performance in the 1960 race, for third on the all time British list. Young finished just over 2 miles behind.  Harrison’s times at 150 and 200 km were submitted and ratified as British records, even though they were slower times than Neilson would have put up in the 1960 race where times were not taken at these distances.  15 completed 100 miles, 8 of them for the first time, with 6 of the 15 going on to complete the 24 hours.  Hew Neilson C145 and Paul Sargent C430 also completed the 24 hours but failed to reach the 100 mile mark.  In this race Eddie McNeir C375, at the age of 75, completed his 10th 100 to become only the 4th Centurion to reach double figures, but more remarkable is the fact that his first completion was achieved at the age of 65.

 

1976 Leicester to Skegness – Results