Postponement 2026 100 mile Race
On Friday 16th January the committee discussed whether to host an event this Summer. After a thorough discussion the committee decided to postpone another 100 miles race until 2027. It was not unanimous but the majority considered this to be in the best interest of the Centurions. By giving time to review how best to improve its organisation, management, and appeal to potential competitors, it would allow the Centurions to organise 24 hour events in a more structured and inclusive way. The committee’s decision is incorporated in the AGM agenda and time allowed for discussion.
Reasons for postponement:
- No venue – few potential venues have facilities and resources eg floodlights, accommodation for officials and support teams, adequate surfaces off track, etc
- Limited time to agree dates
- Likelihood of a lack of competitors, especially UK walkers
- Concern about participants lack of awareness of the stress, both physical and mental
- Medical services costly, but necessary
- Support team roles poorly understood– drop out rate too high
- Need to limit costs – at present approximately £3000 per event
- Officials – limited availability, especially judges
- No organising committee – too few Centurions willing to be involved.
- Marketing – need to spread word far wider to gain awareness
- No training schedules arranged
Possible venues include:
- Colchester Castle Park – probably the easiest to arrange but costly.
- Colchester Garrison track – Colchester & Tendring AC
- Border Harriers AC, Carlisle
- Wood Bank Park AC, Stockport
- Cambridge
- Middlesbrough Cycle track
Future Centurions Strategy
- Establish a clear vision to develop ultra distance race walking in the UK (50 kms and over)
- To raise the standard of those participating in 100 miles events
- To be the recognised competition provider
- To increase the number of starters in ultra distance events
- Success criteria: to get 6 finishers from the UK in every 100 miles race
Venues and Training
- Establish two venues to be used in alternate years (similar to the Dutch arrangement at OLAT and RWV) with facilities and resources
- Set up 6/12 hour training sessions countrywide with preparatory advice and guidance on the physical and mental challenges
- Hold taster sessions
- Get more qualified coaches and Centurions to train potential entrants
- Target athletic clubs to explain strategy and promote the 100 miles and ultra distance events
- Centurions to host100 miles events annually, either with another club or alone
Race Organisation
- Appoint race director
- Race organisers to attend meetings (and final meeting) with Centurion committee in order to be aware of and their requirements for the race
- Establish regular updates for Centurions
- Centurion Hon. Secretary to maintain awareness of the arrangements and initiate/delegate action as appropriate
- Committee members to monitor progress and adequacy of arrangements and respond
- Define, document and circulate responsibilities and accountability of key organisers and officials e.g. Race Director has overall management of entire event
Publicity and Website
- Develop digital communications
- Have active Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
- Regularly check adequacy and accuracy of event details before posting
- Ensure details are available to potential entrants, walkers and supporters before they enter
- Expand the content e.g. bios, photographs on Facebook, Instagram
- Ensure entrants details are collated in spreadsheet to enable easy identification of award recipients and are available to potential entrants,
Success Criteria*
- To have a minimum of 25 entrants from the UK in each 100 miles race
- To have a minimum of 3 successful UK qualifiers in each 100 miles race
- To ensure the criteria for the award of Centurion trophies is clearly described, and they are appropriately engraved
*Since the 100 miles at Redcar in 2016 only 14 UK walkers have qualified