President’s Letter
I would like to start this Christmas letter by wishing all Centurions, their families and friends, and all officials and volunteer helpers a very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the coming New Year.
So many individuals, teams, groups and clubs from the past to the present have enabled the Centurions to proudly say that 99 long distance events of 100 miles in 24 hours have been organised, promoted, and attracted international participation. The United Kingdom was the founders of our now worldwide Centurions fraternity and long may it endure and grow. The Centurions has successfully received 1222 Centurions into its fold since our beginnings in 1911. Equally, we also remember those Centurions who have died since our last newsletters:
- Bob Watts C838 London Vidarians WC
- Basil Gale C726 Trowbridge AC
- Ken Livermore C386 Woodford Green AC and Enfield and Harringey AC
- Mick Barnbrook C661 Cambridge Harriers, Sarnia WC, and Ilford AC
- George Barras C361 Yorkshire WC and Wakefield Harriers AC
We shall remember them and their achievements at the forthcoming AGM on 25th January 2025.
On the 24th/25th August 2024 at Blackbridge Jubilee athletics track in Gloucester we held our 99th Centurions 100 mile event. Many thanks to all of those who competed in this years race where, in separate lanes, we shared the track with runners who were also aiming to complete 100 miles inside 24 hours. Within the race we also had a 50k walk. The 100 miles Centurions race was won by Jonathan Hobbs C1212 who had suffered with stomach problems for most of the race. He bravely continued and was awarded with a good win in a time of 20:44:52. There had been 18 starters and 10 finished within the 24 hours. There were two new qualifying Centurions, Detlef Santy C1221 and Kurt Tempels C1222 both from Belgium clubs, and are very welcome newcomers.
Paul Corderoy and Maria Katsiva of Severn Events promoted the event with help and support from the Centurions, and thanks go to all the Officials and Judges for conducting the event without any major problems, and it was deemed another successful race.
Thanks also to the Centurions Committee for their work during the last year. Sue Clements, C950, website and archivist, has decided to stand down from the committee but is continuing to update our website. Thanks also to Richard Cole C928, our treasurer, who has also stood down from the committee but is continuing to look after our accounts. Chris Flint C849 is recovering from recent health issues and is resuming his secretarial role. We also thank committee members Steve Kemp C1075 who continues to organise our social walks, Carl Lawton C750, Pam Ficken C934, Centurions captain Roger Michell C 724, Martin Fisher C788, Andrew Titley C1038, Eric Horwell C390, and Vice Captain Frans Leijtens C949 who does so much to advertise Centurions events on social media.
We are inviting Centurions to join our committee and engage in the functioning of our organisation, especially those with IT and social media experience as well as organisational and communication skills. There would not be any requirement to join the committee but to work closely with its members and help take forward the plans of the committee. Please consider how you can help and send your nomination to our Secretary, Chris Flint, or if you prefer speak to him in the first instance on 07923 174883. His emails is bettychrisrf@hotmail.com. It would be great to have you helping to take the Centurions into the future.
We will be holding our AGM on Saturday 25th January at 11.00 am as a Zoom meeting. Please try to attend and contribute to the discussion (see below).
And finally at 2.00pm on Christmas day, as is our tradition, please raise a glass and toast The Centurions.
Dave Jones C987
Captain’s Letter
I am privileged to send you the Captain’s Christmas letter for 2024. This year has been difficult for me and my message is shorter than I would wish. Unfortunately I had a serious accident in Lanzarote in January where I had gone for race walking training in the mountains. The accident meant that I needed my ligaments, tendons and soft tissues of the knee to be re-built. Not a pleasant experience and was on crutches or sticks for several months making me rather inactive and was unable to travel to the Netherlands for the CVN reunion, as driving that distance was impossible. To the Dutch and Belgian Centurions please accept my apologies.
I did manage to support the 100 at Gloucester as race starter and judge, and I was also involved in the 50 km midnight race which proved a popular and well contested event.
The next 100 is the Centenary 100. Let’s make it a special one. It would be a great testimony of the spirit of Centurionism if we could have a mass start of Centurions, and to enjoy their companionship. The principal organiser is Peter Selby who leads a group from Surrey Walking Club, the promoting club. It will be held on the track at Lewes Leisure Centre, the county town of Sussex, starting at 12 noon on Saturday 16th August 2025. My intention was to walk but that now looks impossible. I therefore send a message to all who are suffering, get as fit as you can and keep as active as you can. Walking prolongs life. To everyone wherever you are in the world have a good, fit and healthy Christmas and New Year.
Remember to raise a toast to The Centurions at 2pm on Christmas Day.
Roger Michell C724
Captain.
Hon. Secretary’s Letter
The Centurions have enjoyed an active year both on the mainland and abroad and I am aware they have participated in ultra distance events with great success, not least Sandra Brown C735 who in April set new World Age Group records in unseasonable weather in the Czech Republic for 100 kms, 24 hours, and 100 miles. She and Richard C760 were accompanied by Kathy Crilley C933 and the trio again participated in the GOMO World Championship 6 day race at Balatonfured in Hungary in September with Sandra completing 564 kms, Richard 469 kms and Kathy 334 kms. Kathy then took part in the Les 12 Heures de Royan in October, and Sue Clements C950 has entered the 135km Martelange to Saive in Wallonia, Belgium in January. There are many other Centurions who have participated and done commendable performances acting as ambassadors for the Centurions, and who promote and actively encourage participation in ultra distance events.
In August this year the 99th 100 Miles in 24 Hours held at the Blackbridge Athletic Club track at Gloucester was a new venture and attracted 18 entrants representing clubs from the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, the USA, New Zealand, the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, and England. Details of the race have been given in the President’s Christmas letter and suffice for me to say that the event was a success with two new Centurions, Detlef Santy C1221 and Kurt Tempels C1222 both from Belgium. Well done!
The committee has decided to hold the AGM on Saturday 25th January 2025 starting at 11 AM. We will use Zoom again, and a link will be circulated nearer the date. We know that many would prefer a face-to-face meeting but hiring a suitable venue is difficult and also expensive as is travel by road and rail. If you wish to put forward a proposal or suggestion on how the committee conducts its business and/or how to attract more people to participate in our events, or anything else you wish the committee to consider, please let me know. My mobile No. and my email address is shown in the President’s letter. A full Agenda and a copy of the Accounts will be forwarded in due course.
Surrey Walking Club is the promoting club for the Centenary 100. Full details and conditions of entry will soon be published by Peter Selby who is finalising the arrangements with the Lewes Leisure Centre. We are looking forward to a full agenda of activities over and above the actual 100 and hope you can make the journey to this historic town.
May I join the President and Captain in wishing you a Happy Christmas and a successful and active 2025.
Chris Flint C849
Hon. Secretary.
