1949 Yorkshire W.C. 24 Hours Track Race (Bradford)
In September, the Yorkshire Walking Club held another 24 hour track race at Horsfall Playing Fields, Bradford, the scene of the famous 1936 race where Tom Richardson set his record for 100 miles. 23 started, 11 of them completing 100 miles or more, 6 were still on their feet at the end of the 24 hours, however 2 of them failed to reach the magic 100, H. Barraclough C109, failing by just under 2 miles.
The winner of the race was Tom Richardson C100, he was first to reach 100 miles and thus was awarded the Hammond Cup, but he made no impression on his own record time set 13 years earlier. He continued to achieve a distance of 116¾ miles in just over 23 hours; knowing that his lead in this race was unassailable and that he could not approach Tom Hammond’s 1908 record distance, he decided to retire. Tom had now become a member of the hat-trick club, only 4 Centurions had done this before him.
Eddie Blakemore, who was injured during the war while doing military training in Scotland, wore a surgical foot for the rest of his life so he did very well to complete 100 miles in 23.46.16.
Another Centurion to join this elite club was Norman Smith C122, of Yorkshire Walking Club, his hat-trick being achieved in the 3 post war track races of 1946, 1948 and 1949.
1949 24 hour walk, Yorkshire WC; 23rd – 24th September 1949, Programme 600pm start
1949 Report from the Bradford Telegraph published 26.09.1949