Centurions1911

2012


C-571 Theo Janssen

CENTURION VERENIGING NEDERLAND
Secr. C-389 P.Jansens

Dear Committee of the Brotherhood of Centurions,

We have sadly to inform you abouth the death of C-571 Theo Janssen (d.o.b. 25-08-1941) on 13th February 2012.
Theo became to Centurion in 1975 Ewhurst in 23.20.31

The funeral is on Saturday 18th Febr.

We have sent in name of all Centurions our sympathy to his Wife Loes and the Family.

With kind regards
C-389 Piet

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Dianne Bullard (nee Pegg) C.608

Dianne (Dy) died of a heart atack whilst on a skiiing holiday in Val d'Isere, France on Saturday, 28th January 2012.

Dy was a member of Medway AC and the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA).

Dy entered (or tried) to enter a Centurion race but was refused entry by Surrey Walking Club.  The following year at the Bristol Hundred (1977) both Dy and Ann Sayer (C.599) were allowed to enter and both completed. Ann, finishing ahead of Dy received all the kudos, but both were lauded as the first two lady Centurions. Dy completed the 100 in 22:05:30.

To husband John and all family members we extend our profound condolence on their sad loss

Funeral details

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2011

Lieuwe Scol C-291

CENTURION VERENIGING NEDERLAND
We have to bring the sadly news of the death of C-291 Lieuwe Schol on Friday 22th July 2011 on an age of 87 years old.
The funeral is on Wednesday 27th July. The Committee of the CVN will be present there.
Lieuwe was in 1959 the first participant from the Netherlands in a 100 mile race and became to Centurion 291.
In 1966 when a lot of Netherlands participants became to Centurion, the Centurion Vereniging Nederland is founded.
Lieuwe was for 27 years the first President of the CVN.
He has walked 60 x the Nijmegen 4-Days.
He has walked also 40 x from Amsterdam to Leeuwarden over 150 km
He has walked also 35 x from Brussel / Nijmegen to Rotterdam over 150 / 160 km.

Lieuwe was in all his life of walking a amiable and very friendly person and in the Netherlands a great promotor of the 100 miles in England
We all will miss him.
Kind regards
C-389 Piet Jansens

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Paul Sargent C430
June 2011

Paul, from Worcester AC, qualified as Centurion C430 at the Leicester 24 hour track race in 1969.
Paul's time for the 100 miles was 23.10.58 and in the 24 hour time limit covered a total of 102 miles 282 yards.

Paul carried out services to the Brotherhood of Centurions as its' Treasurer from 1997 to 2008. Paul stepped down as Treasurer as his health deteriated and so he spent his days in the warmer climes of Tenerife.

Up to a few years ago. Paul was still to be seen at the Nijmegen 4 Days March and he was a keen advocate of replicating the "medal" principle of the Vierdaagse to the Centurions as a means of encouraging walkers to keep on entering the 100 miles year after year.
Paul was a veteran of the second woirld war and had a distinguised record as a navigator. And it was thanks to Paul and his RAF background that the Centurions were able to hold the many dinners and AGMs at the RAF Club in Central London.

We extend our condolences to Paul's family.

Piet van Gemert C.770
From: CENTURION VERENIGING NEDERLAND
Dear Brotherhood of Centurions,
We have received the sadly news that C-770 Piet van Gemert is passed away on 22nd April 2011 on an age of 78 years old.
C-770 Piet van Gemert became to Centurion during the 100 mile race Ewhurst 1983.
With kind regards
C-389 Piet Jansens

Peter Markham C.526
We are sad to report the loss of Peter who was truly a "Big Name" in race walking circles - and so very soon after parting company with his wife Sylvia.
Synonymous with Leicester Walking Club, Peter had held numerous posts at Club, Area and National levels. Indeed listing all would take up much space. Every task undertaken was done so efficiently with both commitment and enthusiasm. At the time of his death he was, among many other things, Chairman of the Race Walking Association. Peter was Editor of "Leicester Walker" as well as it's main contributor.
It was always a good read and enjoyed by recipients.

On the road he was acclaimed for many achievements - including finishing 50 consecutive Leicester Mercury walks. That race, in it's heyday with a City Centre start was virtually every walker's favourite.
Peter became Centurion No.526 in August 1974 in his Club's promotion - that now defunct Leicester-to-Skegness 100 Miles - where he came 3rd in 18.46.31 being the race's first new qualifier when hitting the seafront.
Nowadays, that time, and for many years past, would have secured National Champion status. That event was a great one for Leicester Walking Club as they set a new UK record by finishing 7 members in a UK 100 Miles race (closing home 'A' & 'B' teams)...as Peter led them home!

Versatile Peter's record as a competitor showed many great times from sprints to ultra-distance. Indeed, in many a commentator's opinion, Peter was our best ever walker never to gain a senior UK international vest. He was always so very close.
Peter, a gifted communicator, was a top-table speaker at functions such as the Metropolitan Police Walking Club's Annual Dinner and our Race Walking Association's Centenary Dinner. Not one with an Essex qualification, as far as we know, but one so admired in our County and everywhere else for that matter.

Peter entered hospital for heart surgery after which things didn't go his way, and he left us on April 27th. To son Paul, and all other relations, we extend our profound condolence on the loss a such a true worthy


2010

Ken Turner C.581
Died 31st August 2010

KEN TURNER of Woodford Green AC (as then called) passed on at the age of 77 years. He resided at Stambourne in North Essex and was a retired City of London Police Inspector. In his working life he'd always been much respected, especially when in charge of educating his Force's Cadets.
His sporting interest commenced with both weightlifting and power lifting before he engaged himself in the world of athletics. His favourite event was, of course, race walking. Statiscian Colin Young has unearthed results of him from the local Open 7s and 10Ks - indeed he was a regular at Ilford's Christmas 10K around hilly Chigwell Row. He was well inside the hour for 10K, however it was over 20 Miles and 50K that he excelled. Indeed, with his strength, long distances appealed more to him and Ken relished the annual challenge of the Police Long-Distance Championship over that epic 33 miles course from Barking Police Station to Southend Football Ground - following roughly the route of the old A13. Fellow Woodford Green AC member, City-of-London retiree and former Essex 50K Champion Vic Collins reminds us that, in fields of up to 300 and with a true class entry up front, Ken never finished outside the top 15! That was some feat!
Ken finest 24 hours came on May 28th/29th 1976 at Ashtons Playing Fields Track in Woodford Bridge as his Club promoted a 24 hours walking race. Ken came 5th covering 103 miles 1,434 yards. He passed the 100 miles point in 22 hours 53 minutes and 36 seconds, which earned him membership of the exclusive Centurions Club - only open to amateur athletes who had completed a 100 Miles walk in under 24 hours. He proudly became Member No.581. And together with Club colleague George Eastwood, he helped Woodford Green AC to win the team trophy. Those around at that time can remember just how much Ken planned for this race, with a wad a notes - painstakingly compiled - containing his race tactics, plans and personal pace chart.
Ken had also completed 100 Miles in a Long Distance Walkers event over the South Downs with Vic Collins as a fellow member of that Woodford Green team, and when Vic won his Essex 50K title in 1979 (when all the big names raced) around a now defunct Basildon course, Ken was his attendant. Ken could also run and his strength saw him enter the National Police Marathon, in conjunction with the Rotherham Marathon. Again he planned his schedule to perfection and had it written down on wads of paper...and it paid dividends as he finished sub-4 hours.
Ken, a Parkinsons sufferer, was a widower having lost his wife some 7 years earlier.

Tributes:
"He was a very smart man and also a gentleman". -
Dave Sharpe, who qualified as a Centurion in the same event as Ken.

Ken TURNER was a real motivator and supporter in the City of London Police and I well remember his epic 100 miles at Ashton Playing Fields Track. Being a weightlifter and larger than average in size and weight for Race Walking he did remarkably well. I remember well organising the race from Barking to Southend with over 300 entries toeing the line. It was a terrible day with continuous heavy rain but a great event to be part of. -
Kath & Bill Sutherland


W "Bill" Maxwell
died week-end 24/25 April 2010
Bill qualified in the 1973 Bristol 100 in 20.52.29 and went on to complete five in total.
He was suffering with heart trouble when he qualified  so more's the credit that he did five.was originally with Leyland Motors AC and joined Lancashire Walking Club when they disbanded.


David Christie-Murray C.155
David Christie-Murray died on 22nd March 2010 aged 96

Sandra Brown went to visit David last year to hear his recollections for the Centurions archive. On informing Sandra of his death, this is what Sheila Christie-Murray wrote:
He really did appreciate your coming to visit him.  I'm so glad you came?when you did and made contact, even if he seemed a bit vacant some of the?time. You did make an impact for he referred back to you and his walking?quite a bit thereafter.  Thank you!
Sandra attended the memorial service and spoke of David’s walking achievements:
"For those of you here today are athletes, David was both a much-loved fellow club member and one of the most outstanding athletes of his generation. Those who are not athletes are now, I hope, agog to learn more about this aspect of David’s life.a young man, David entered a one mile race-walk – “For a lark”, as he told me. He did well and enjoyed the experience. The following year, he won that event, and then another, and decided “This was the sport I had been looking for, in which I could fulfil an ambition to excel athletically.” He became a member of Surrey Walking Club, and race-walking was to be an important part of his life for 20 years, through the 1930s and 40s.
“What fun we had!” David told me, when he contributed his recollections for the book which marked the centenary of Surrey Walking Club in 1999. While David was competitive, it was very clear to me how much the friendship of fellow walkers meant to him. Whatever the outcome of a race, he told me, he liked the satisfaction at the end of the day of knowing that he and others had simply given their best.driven and self-coached in his sport, David reached the top of his game in an age when race-walking was a very popular sport, and Britain’s best walkers were among the very best in the world. Of a strong physique, David thrived on tough and hilly courses like those around Hampstead and Highgate, and Surrey’s own courses.’s walking friends and rivals in the 1930s were, with him, the great walkers of their time and included household names like the 1936 Olympic gold medal walker Harold Whitlock. David never walked in an Olympics. Had the Olympic Games been held in 1940 and 1944, David would have been a near-certain selection.in 1948, he came very close to selection for Great Britain. How did David deal with this disappointment? Let me read his own words. “Could I bear to watch the race, having failed in a life-time ambition [to walk for Britain in the Olympic Games.] I decided my duty was to follow the race on a bike and cheer on my successful rivals at every possible place along the route. I’m glad I did, for, instead of eating my heart out at home, seeing the race in the flesh cured me of all regret and disappointment.”July 1951, David achieved what many still consider as the summit of their walking career, when he became Centurion number 155 – race-walking 100 miles from London to Brighton and back in 19 hours 31 minutes 51 seconds. Fortunately, the 104 miles event ended on Saturday evening, since David, as a Minister of the church, did not race on Sundays. On one occasion, he refused an invitation to race internationally because this would have meant racing on Sunday.
was the 40th anniversary of the Centurions. Next year in 2011, the Centurions will celebrate our centenary, sadly without David there to help mark the occasion. David regarded becoming a Centurion as a fitting end to his competitive walking career. It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Centurions and Surrey Walking Club, to honour a great athlete, much-loved clubman and good sport.


2009

Ron Purkis  C.652
One known and respected by all Essex Walker readers, R.I.M.(Ron) Purkis, died last week at the age of 77 after suffering cancer.

A former Hon.Secretary of Stevenage & North Herts AC he qualified as a Centurion in 1979 at Ewhurst clocking an excellent 19.35.45 in Metropolitan Walking Club's famous colours. Ron only made up his mind to appear 3 weeks beforehand! Ron trained with fellow Stevenage resident Ken Roost (Centurion 557 who had qualified as 4 years earlier and was eager to race Ewhurst again). Having been Ken's training partner he made a late decision to enter and was r Ron ewarded with a wonderful time. Ken and Ron were also colleagues in the Royal Air Force. Ron was a regular attender of RAF reunions. Indeed when I was stationed at Henlow near Bedford (one of few local RAF stations still going) in the early 70s our Physical Training Officer was legendary Centurion (225) Flight Lieutenant "Dicky" Bird who staged many RAF races there. Ron was a chiropodist in nearby Stevenage and often came to help out or walk in guest capacity.
In 1976 Ron (with Ken as his assistant) organised the 1976 RWA National 20 Miles in Stevenage. Ilford's Roger Mills won in 2.32.13 with Sheffield as top team. It was a omen of what was to come, for Ron's course took walkers off public roads and onto cycle tracks, through parks and under subways. Some complained that they couldn't follow the race by car, but Ron was a poineer of what would be the norm. Ken's main task was getting judges to different positions and timekeepers to various intermediate timing points - a task completed successfully as he lived locally and knew the "cut-throughs".
Ron resided in Waterlooville and had served as a Councillor on Havant Council. Ron also put a lot of time into coaching youngsters. He retired - very publicly - a few years ago after being pulled in the BMAF 10K Championship 'A' race on a hot Enfield day. His shouted louder than a Speakers Corner orator in the car park that, having been disqualified, he'd also been branded as a cheat. He'd never cheated in his his life, he boomed, and then severed his connection with active race walking...he upheld his words - never again to step onto a starting line.
Dave Ainsworth

J. R. Taylor
Former Centurions President JOHN EDDERSHAW has notified Essex Walker of this gentleman’s death. A Highgate Harrier who clocked 22.04.51 at 100 Miles of the 1955 London-to-Brighton-and-Back 104 miles which he finished in 23.20.20 becoming Centurion No. 250. John advises that in later life he changed his name to WALSH by deed poll.

from Essex Walker August 2009

C-520 Jan van Alfen
†  13th May 2009  (D.O.B. 05-Nov-1939)
Jan van Alfen became to Centurion in Bristol 1973.
Jan was more than 40 years a member of SV de LAT Amsterdam and a former President of that walking club.


C-541 Martin Bruil
 †  14th May 2009  (D.O.B. 10-Febr-1937)
 Martin Bruil became to Centurion in Leicester - Skegness 1974.
Martin has walked the 100 miles races 6 times (pr. 21.43.32)
Martin was an active walker till his death (last year he walked the Coast to Coast in England together with his wife and C-389 Piet Jansens)
C-389 Piet Jansens


Keith Read C. 547
True race walking stalwart KEITH READ took his leave of us on Tuesday 17th February after being admitted to hospital with serious illness. Illness had been part of his life for some while, as his wife had been unwell, so resulting in the now Sussex-based judge reducing his officiating appearances.
A former RWA Southern Area President and long-serving (and also controversial) Honorary RWA Southern Area Area Judges Secretary, he believed passionately in the 'A' race code. However his support for that did not prevent him from adjudicating 'B' races despite considering them not to be proper races (as numerous listeners in his company heard over many years). He won the Postmen's-in-Uniform title and several other Post Office/Civil Service races. In the colours of his former Club (SWC) he became Centurion No.547 at Surrey's Ewhurst 100 Miles in June 1975 when he clocked an excellent 19 hours 20 minutes and 21 seconds. Repeated today it'd make him our UK Champion!
Keith had a soft spot for Essex and despite moving to Sussex he continued supporting races in our County, hardly ever missing a Basildon event. Many readers will have had arguments with Keith over the years, but we're sure that they're now all forgotten - life's too short for rows. At a RWA Southern Area meeting Keith once held up a copy of Essex Walker and tore in it half, denouncing it as " that rag". We turned it into our advantage, for in our next edition, we described Essex Walker as a "ripping-good READ". He later became one of our greatest supporters. Keith actually ran the London Marathon 10 years as "unattached" so proving that he'd retained a fair degree of his noted fitness. To his family we extend our condolence on the passing of one who was a formidable competitor at all distances, from sprints to 100 Miles, who then worked tirelessly for our sport in his officiating capacities.
Dave Ainsworth

He will be sorely missed - Ed Shillabeer


2008

Norman A. Knott C321.
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you, Norman passed away on December 19th, 2008 from a massive heart attack.  I can only thank God that he did not allow Norman to suffer, as he had experienced several scary times since his major heart surgery in 1995.
We had been married 51 wonderful years in October 2008, for which I am most grateful.
He was a truly gentle and loving father, devoted grandad and we miss him terribly.
He was a member of the Woodford, Essex club and also Brighton, Sussex.
Yours very sincerely,
Margaret Knott.


Frits van Duynhoven C-418
Frits died after a hard illness on Saturday the 11th October 2008 on an age of 68 years old.
Frits became to Centurion at Leicester-Skegness 1968 and he did his second 100 miles in London 1995 (3rd place)
Till his illness he was an excellent and friendly long-distance-walker
C-389 P.Jansens

Gerry Rhodes C292
Gerry Rhodes,one of Surrey's oldest and long standing members, passed away on Sunday, 2nd November  2008. Gerry was 92 years old. His election to the Club was 1st November 1935 which means 73 years of membership.

Nonagenarian Gerry was the son of HAROLD RHODES who had become Centurion No.52 in 1912.
When Gerry became Centurion 292 in the 1959 London-to-Brighton-and-Back race he passed 100 Miles in 20.42.42, being 1 of 4 newcomers from his Club on the day. That 1959 race was extended to 106 Miles (from 104) as the A23 was rerouted around the newly opened Gatwick Airport. Gerry did the full journey in 22.02.49. Of 52 starters 20 completed 100 miles in under 24 hours with 15 doing so for their first time.
from Dave Ainsworth

Anton Bruël  C-440
4th September 2008.
 
 C-440 Anton was living for many years in France and was a friendly and warm personality. C-440 Anton was the brother of C-443 Jan Bruël.
C-440 Anton Bruël became to Centurion in the 100 miles of Bristol 1969. He was 5 times succesfully in a 100 miles race.
1969 Bristol,  1970 Leicester-Skegness,  1971 Ewhurst,  1972 Leicester-Skegness and 1973 Bristol.
C-389 Piet Jansens

Harry Zegular DORRAS C.409
Harry Zegular DORRAS C409, Metropolitan W.C., died in his sleep on Friday 30th May 2008 after a long battle with cancer. He was 86 years old. The funeral took place on Friday 6th June.
 
He leaves a wife, Betty and two children Ross and Joanne.
He became a Centurion during the 1967 London to Brighton and back, in a time of 20.05.02.
Bob Porter C721 attended the funeral.

2007

Chris Clegg C135

Centurion 135 CHRIS CLEGG has bowed out.    He qualified in the 1947 London-to-Brighton-and-Back event and also repeated that feat later in his career.    He was still attempting 100 Miles racing when Hon.Ed. qualified in 1974!    
Chris was a member of Leicester's winning National teams in the 1946 20 Miles at Coventry and the National 50K at Bradford.    You might have read about Mr.Clegg's death before in various publications, for it was reported (in error) a short while back.   Chris found out and write to let us know that he was still alive but was not very well.   Well sadly, in the this occasion, the Grim Reaper has caught up with him.
from Dave Ainsworth

2006

Boyd Millen C.930
1995: British Centurion 930 | Continental Centurion 289 | Australian Centurion-41,  22:28:25
1999: Battersea Park, London; 23:13:25
2000: Weert, Netherlands Melbourne 23:25:43

Lilian Millen made the following brief announcement to notify fellow walkers that her husband Boyd Millen had finally lost his battle against cancer. The brief details were as follows:
I am sorry to tell you that Boyd died peacefully on the 26th January. He celebrated his 70th birthday in the Hospice surrounded by many friends and family on the 25th. His condition deteriorated very quickly, we feel he was waiting for his birthday. He fought so hard all the time and we did everything we could in the last year. He walked 20 miles cross country using his crutches and even went climbing on the high fells. He also did a 68 mile cycle ride over the fell roads. He will be missed by many. There is a tribute on www.ldwa.org.uk
from Essex Walker:
not one with Essex connections, as far as we know, but one who many readers will have met and will be sorry to hear of his departure during January at the age of 70 years.  Wenew him as a distance walker, both in the UK and on mainland Europe and as a Centurion (No. 930).  Before striding out, he made his name as a top class fell runner.  Indeed he was the first to complete the Bob Graham run twice – back-to-back.  That’s a double 70 miles run visiting every Lakeland peak over 3,000 feet!  Boyd had not been well of late, but still got out onto the fells with his crutches.  You just can’t keep a good man away from his chosen activity!  We extend our condolences to his widow LILLIAN, who is also a Centurion (No. 907) as is well known in walking circles in her own right..

from Sandra Brown:
Boyd Millen died on Thursday, 26th January 2006.  He had been unwell for some months, but showed characteristic spiritedness, courage and humour throughout.
He continued to walk his beloved Lakeland fells on crutches, determined to fight the good fight. I shall cherish very fond and happy memories of the many walks we enjoyed together, including Centurion events in the UK and abroad, LDWA walks, and Paris - Colmar walks on which Boyd was a great team member. Boyd always kept everyone smiling, through highs and lows.
Before becoming a Centurion, Boyd was for many years an outstanding fell runner, and was the first to accomplish a double Bob Graham round - the circuit of all the Lakeland tops over 3000 feet, over 70 miles, twice, back to back. Life shouldn't be measured in years but in what you do with it. It would be hard to live a fuller life than Boyd did.

from Kathy Crilley:
I have some extremely fond memories of Boyd which I shall always cherish. Supporting at the 48hours race in Blackpool in the early 1990's with Boyd sporting my dainty aquamarine skiing jacket, (very not Boyd!) then feeding myself and Hilary Walker with marmalade sandwiches on the Manchester to Blackpool and (grudgingly!) following Boyd around Battersea Park for 100 miles in 1995 where we both became Centurions. Boyd completed his first 100 miles in 22 28 25. He was a great team member - even though he wasn't in our team - but he was always there to encourage the flagging spirits of everyone, chivvying us all along when we felt low and always bringing a smile to our faces. God bless.

Vale Boyd MILLEN
from Tim Erickson, Australian Centurions
It was a sad announcement but not unexpected by those of us who knew of Boyd's battle. Lilian and Boyd had made the decision to share their remaining time to the full and not to publicly announce the details of Boyd's condition. During the year since the initial diagnosis, Boyd deteriorated gradually but relentlessly but he continued to lead a full life and do what he loved most – enjoy the wild country he had so often walked in healthier times.
 I well remember Boyd's trip to Australia in 2000 when he became Australian Centurion number 41 with a fine walk under adversity. He was unable to really eat or drink anything during the whole 24 hours and had to dig deep into his own reserves to somehow keep the pace going and keep on schedule. With this walk, Boyd became a triple centurion, adding to his 1995 British and 1999 Continental Centurions finish.
At 64 years of age, he was second oldest person to have achieved the feat in Australia. (the honour of the oldest Centurion finish belonged to Merv Lockyer (C30) who achieved his membership at 65 years of age).
Boyd came to Australia specifically for this event and his single minded determination paid off. He confided to me after the event that this might be his last Centurion race due to his feeding problems. He planned to restrict himself to the various Fells events and Long Distance Walking Association events and this proved to be the case.
 To say the Boyd was as tough as nails was an understatement. He had worked as a stone mason, a specialist field that meant days on end spent in inhospitable conditions refurbishing old stonework - he worked for 19 years on Liverpool cathedral and the memorial service was held for him there. He loved stone work and did stone carvings as a hobby. When I noticed that he did not wear socks in our event and commented that he should perhaps rug up a little for the cold night conditions, he confided to me that this would not be necessary – it was not really cold and he never wore socks. He was as good as his word, walking consistently through a cold Melbourne night with seeming nonchalance.
 We pass our deepest condolences onto Lilian Boyd will be sadly missed by us all - walking has indeed lost a wonderful ambassador.


J.R Reed C.419
Mr J R Reed of Southampton who qualified at the 1968 Leicester-to-Skegness 100 Miles in 21 hours 58 minutes and 38 seconds (a race won for the 3rd time by Karl Abolins 233, from new  qualifier John Hedgethorne 413 who was just 1 second in front of Mark Kasteljins 387 after an almighty sprint finish).

Don Thompson C631
It was reported this week that Don Thompson MBE, at the age of 73, had died in Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey after suffering an aneurysm. Don, who was one of the elder statesman of English walking, will be forever remembered for winning the Gold Medal at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games - and of course for his unique training methods prior to this race!
Don, born on Friday 20th January 1933 in Hillingdon in London, was not your typical Olympic champion. Standing 5 feet 5½ inches (1.68m) and weighing only 120 lbs, he must have looked a scrawny specimen when he first took up racewalking in 1951 at 18 years of age. He joined Metropolitan Walking Club, the same club where Harold Whitlock was a member and, although he had no formal coach, he was happy to receive advice from Whitlock throughout his career.
It did not take long before people started to notice the young walker. In 1954, he suffered through his first London to Brighton walk (52 miles) and had truly found his calling. By 1955 he was amongst the leading walkers over the 50 km distance and in the longer ultra walking distances. During that breakthrough year, he was 2nd in the R.W.A. 50 km championship in 4:34:39, won the London to Brighton in 8:06:24 and won the Milan 100 km championship in his first international event. People quickly realised that an indomitable spirit made up for his small stature and unsophisticated technique.
The next year, he improved one place to win the R.W.A 50 km championship in 4:24:39 and then won the London to Brighton classic with 7:45:24, breaking Harold Whitlock's 1935 race record of 7:53:50. These performances catapulted him into world class and he was rewarded with selection in the 1956 Olympic 50 km event. Alas, things did not go according to plan in Melbourne and, in hot conditions and on a tough course, Don collapsed when placed 5th with just 5 km to cover. It was a salutory lesson which he did not forget.

From then on, he was unbeatable over the longer distances in England. In 1957, he defended his R.W.A. 50 km title with 4:41:48, won the Hastings to Brighton classic (38 miles) in 5:45:22 to break Tommy Richardson's 1936 course record by 7 secs, and then won his third London to Brighton in an unbelievable time of 7:35:12. In fact an alteration to the Brighton road had increased the distance by 1195 yards to 53 miles 129 yards but Don still broke his record by nearly 20 minutes! This record still stands today, nearly 50 years later.
In 1958, he improved his 50 km time to 4:21:50 in winning his third R.W.A. Title at Wimbledon and came a great 5th in the European 50 km championships in Stockholm in 4:25:09. Of course, it goes without saying that he also defended his London to Brighton title.
1959 saw a special performance when he set a huge PB of 4:12:19 in winning his fourth R.W.A. 50 km title at Baddersley. This event also saw the first 3 places going to Metropolitan walkers (W Misson was 2nd and N. Thompson was 3rd). He also came within a whisker of his own London to Brighton record after fading in hot conditions to win in 7:35:28.

He was now ready for his second Olympic attempt and, remembering how he faltered in 1956, he decided to prepare as well as he could for the conditions he would probably encounter in Italy: searing heat and high humidity. His solution - he sealed his bathroom, heated it, filled it with steam and started vigorously exercising during the weeks leading up to the Games. "There was an electric heater attached to the wall and I thought, 'well, that won't provide enough heat,'"
Thompson said last year. “I had to boost the humidity, too, so I got a Valor stove and put that in the bath. Half an hour was more than enough; I was feeling dizzy by then. It wasn't until several years later that I realised I wasn't feeling dizzy because of the heat; it was carbon monoxide from the stove." Thus did he prepare, in addition of course to his regular road walking.

He returned to a hero's welcome as befitted Britain's only 1960 athletics gold medallist and promptly got back to 'basics' by winning yet another London to Brighton race within days of his triumph. He finished off the year with a second win in the prestigious Milan 100 km event.
The next couple of years saw him continue on his merry way, fresh with the confidence of knowing he was an Olympic champion. He won the 1961 and 1962 R.W.A. 50 km championships, the Hastings to Brightons and the London to Brightons. He also participated in the inaugural Lugano Cup in 1961, taking silver in the 50 km event in 4:30:35 and took bronze in the 1962 European 50 km championship in 4:29:02.

Don's list of achievements makes for awesome reading
8 R.W.A. 50 km championship wins (1955-1962, 1966)
9 London to Brighton wins (1955-1962, 1967) and a course record that still stands today
4 Hastings to Brighton wins (1957, 1960-62) and a course record that still stands today
2 wins in the Milan 100 km (1955, 1960)
3 Olympic 50 km appearances (1956, 1960 and 1964) with a Gold medal in 1960
3 European 50 km championship appearances (1958, 1962 and 1966)
3 Lugano Cup 50 km appearances (1961, 1965, 1967)
1 Commonwealth Games 20 Miles appearance (1966
He won the prestigious Edgar Horton Cup (R.W.A award for best individual performance during the Association year) on 4 occasions (1956-1958, 1961) and in the early 1960s, he was the British record holder for 20, 25 and 30 miles, 3, 4 and 5 hours, 25, 30, 40 and 50 km.

Yet Don was an unassuming person, lacking in the airs and graces one might have expected. He was willing to talk to anyone and was indeed a credit to the sport of racewalking and to the great English tradition. We will sadly miss him but will always remember his wonderful feats and achievements.
Tim Erickson
Sat 7 October 2006


2005

Frank O'Neill C.136
FAREWELL TO A GOOD OLD BOY
Blackpool resident FRANK O’NEILL (aged 88) who was Centurion No. 136, having qualified in the 1947 London-to-Brighton-and-Back. Ron Wallwork knew him better than most, and remembers that Frank used his house as the changing room for Lancashire Walking Club races from Swinton (his lounge being the changing room) using roads that could never be walked upon these days owing to traffic levels. This year was the first that anybody could remember him not being recording at the Lancashire long-distance classic (Once the Manchester-to-Blackpool, but nowadays the Blackpool 50 Miles). We say farewell to another worthy who has served the sport both long and well.

Thanks to Essex Walker for this report

Bill Symes C216
15th April 2005
With regret you are informed of the sad death of Bill SYMES, aged 92, who died on Friday, 15th April 2005, after a fall in  hospital.    He was a member of Queen's Park Harriers and London Vidarians (2nd claim).  Bill was elected as a Centurions Vice-President in 1982.  He qualified as a Centurion (No.216) in the Birmingham-to-London race in Coronation Year in a time of 22.34.03, and during his racing career completed the Sub-24 Hours 100 Miles on 8 occasions.   He was also Don Thompson's attendant when Don himself first achieved the feat in 1978. Bill was also a prominent police athlete who was also a marathon runner of some note.


2004

Cliff George Rushton C539
Cliff completed the Leicester to Skegness 100 miles in 1974 in 22 hours 43 minutes 11 seconds.  64 started and 40 finished, so Cliff did well.
In Remembrance,
Chris Flint C.849
Secretary, Centurions.

 Phil Hastings C.632
Phil and Anne Hastings were tragically killed in a car crash on a visit to the Eastern Cape on 13 July 2004.
Phil's daughter, Juliette, wrote to Hans Rennie who forwarded the news.
We have very little information of the circumstances, other that both died on impact. Apparently, the weather in the Eastern Cape that day was appalling,  with snow and heavy rain.
A memorial service was held in Cape Town on 23rd July 2004.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to Juliette.
We are all the better for having Phil come into our race walking lives.

Roger Le Moine. C802
22nd April 2004
Roger was having treatment for cancer of the liver, and was on his second course of chemotherapy when his body had a re-action to it, and suffered a heart attack whilst having an x ray. It was his wish that he would be just be cremated and without any funeral service.
Everyone will have their own memories of Roger and how he helped each and everyone us at sometime during our walking careers. Roger qualified as Centurion in 1986 at the Leiceter 100. Also, not forgetting that Roger set up the first Centurions UK web site. 


Geurt Reeringh C-412.
CENTURION VERENIGING NEDERLAND
Centurion 412 Geurt Reeringh (86 years)
Geeurt became a Centurion in 1967 in the London - Brighton race

Dennis Vale C.549
Isle of Man. Surrey Walking Club
Denis became a Centurion at the Surrey Ewhurst 100 in 1975 in  a time of 19h43m 30s