Centurions1911

What is a Centurion?


Badge awarded to each new Centurion on completion of 100 miles in 24 hours


A Centurion is anyone who has walked 100 miles within 24 hours in competition (in Great Britain).
History tells us that though the 19th century the foot servant of a lord, or a member of the aristocracy, often walked, jogged or trotted behind his master's coach.  The practice grew of masters setting their "man" to complete a certain distance in a fixed time for a wager with a fellow aristocrat. 

The most notable feat occurred in 1809 when Captain Barclay, for a wager of 1000 guineas, set out to walk 1000 miles in 1000 hours on Newmarket Heath, near Cambridge in England. 
He completed the walk in 42 days with never much more than one hours rest, losing some 28lbs weight in the process. (see panel on right)

Pedestrianism was then of a long distance, endurance nature and usually with money involved.  Still we might imagine that this was the precursor of modern ultra-athletics (without the money!)


1911 - the foundation of the Centurions

Between 1902 and the Centurions foundation in 1911 walking as an (amateur) athletic sport had become established (professional athletics still existed)  and some 50 people had qualified in six events by the above definition.  At the inaugural meeting, James Edwin Fowler-Dixon was accorded the number "1" for a performance in 1877 and was elected the first president.

The official history notes that "it was decided to form a Brotherhood to be called "Centurions".
The idea of forming the brotherhood was conceived by E.R. Bob Gillespie, who had walked 106 miles non stop in a 24 hour race in 1908. The formation meeting was held at the Ship and Turtle, situated at 131, Leadenhall Street, London on 11 May. 
Mr James Edward Fowler- Dixon , who had walked 100 miles in a recorded time of 20 hours 36 minutes 8 seconds, being the senior and longest qualified person present,  was elected President and given the auspicious membership number “1”.

The rules for membership were that an applicant must have fulfilled the performance criteria and the application must be unanimously accepted by members at a general meeting. Membership numbers would be awarded in strict sequential order of qualification/ election. (Only 2 numbers have ever not been used, 99 and 453, the former due to a disputed performance, the latter due to the applicant subsequently being found already to hold a number).


Early beginnings at The Ship and Turtle, 131 Leadenhall Street, London

The claim is made for this house that it dates back to 1377, and for many generations, down, indeed, to 1835, it had a succession of widows as hostesses. The modern representative of this ancient house prides itself upon the quality of its turtle soup and upon the fact that it is the meeting-place of numerous masonic lodges, besides being in high favour for corporation and companies' livery dinners. And of course the first meeting of the Brotherhood of Centurions.
The site of 131 Leadenhall Street has undergone many changes since those early days. Taking a walk around the area, this is what we found: Opposite the  Lloyd's building is what we used to call 'Commercial Union Square'  and on the edge of the square (Bishopsgate side) is a modern building, the ground floor level of which is now a large food-only branch of Marks and Spencer. I would think that, as the the numbers jump from 120 to 140, No. 131 was originally on this site - somewhere around the sandwiches/fresh fruit area!

Overseas Centurions



There are now several other Centurions "fellowships"
Dutch Centurions, the Continental Centurions of the Netherlands,
the Australian Centurions, New Zealand Centurions,
US Centurions and Malaysian Centurions.
more information about overseas Centurions....