Jo Leijtens C966

We regret to report the passing of Jo Leijtens, who died in his sleep two months after diagnosis of an aggressive form of lung cancer.

Jo came to long distance walking later in life, after years of billiards and football. Like many Dutch walkers, he took part in the Nijmegen to Rotterdam march several times and then qualified as Continental Centurion 255 in Sint Oedenrode in 1995, walking with his son Frans in 23:35:28 (though pulling away in the final stages to finish 26 seconds ahead).

The following year, Frans qualified as a Centurion in the UK but it was in 1999 that Jo made that same double-achievement. He walked the 100 miles in Battersea Park in 23:30:36 to become Centurion 966.

Jo walked the 200km race in Arubel, Belgium and a 3km race in Vale, Guernsey but mainly took part in regular long distance walks. The Nijmegen Four Days Marches, the 80 van de Langstraat and the Bossche 100 were his favourites. He was also heavily involved in volunteering and organising, with the local First Aid association, the Children’s Four Days Marches in Drunen, the Duintrappers walking club and the Bossche 100k. In recognition of this service, he was awarded Membership of the Order of Oranje-Nassau in 2004.