Centurions1911

The Netherlands

Dutch Centurion Association

After Lieuwe Schol, Centurion 291, had become the first Dutch Centurion, more and more Dutch men and women travelled to Great Britain to obtain the Centurion title. Besides the British Centurions, the largest group of foreign Centurions are the Dutch.
To stay in contact with each other and to represent the Dutch contingent of Centurions the Centurion Association of the Netherlands (Centurion Vereniging Nederland, C.V.N.) was founded on the 12th February 1966. The C.V.N. spreads news about past and future races amongst its members, organizes trips to the British races and has a Centurion reunion each year. The CVN also looks after the interests of Centurions not only in the Netherlands, but Belgium and surrounding countries.
Each year, the C.V.N. hosts a Centurion meeting in October or November. During this meeting the finishers in the previous Centurion event are celebrated and, if necessary, Centurion pins and certificates are handed to the walkers. The meeting is also a popular opportunity to keep in touch with the other walkers, to buy some Centurion merchandising and to have a pleasant day out.
For many years, British Centurions have attended the Dutch annual meeting to hand out certificate and trophies won at the British event. Similarly, Dutch Centurions have attended our own Reunion Dinners.


The board of the C.V.N. currently consists of chairman Gerrit de Jong, Centurion 456, secretary and treasurer Piet Jansens, Centurion 389, and second secretary and webmaster Frans Leijtens, Centurion 949. Due to the large number of Belgian members, there is also a Belgian board members: at the moment, this position is not filled. The C.V.N. also has an honourary chairman, Lieuwe Schol, Centurion 291, and an honourary board member, Hans Leendertse, Centurion 427. Our secretary is also a Vice-Captain in the Brotherhood of Centurions.

Continental Centurions established themselves in 1973

Continental Centurion 1 is Jan Vos.
The rules to obtain this title are roughly the same as for (UK) Centurions. You have to walk 160.928 kilometres within 24 hours at a race on Dutch soil. Normally these races are organized by the O.L.A.T. one year, followed by the R.W.V. the next year (in Weert and Schiedam respectively). Just like a Centurion, a Continental Centurion receives a number which he or she will keep for the rest of his or her life (and beyond).  Continental Centurions are mainly Dutch, but there are also some German, Belgian, British or Danish Continental Centurions.
The Continental Centurion title is handed out by the R.W.V. as it is the most active race walking club in the Netherlands. For the record: C.V.N. has nothing to do with the Continental Centurion title. The Continentals currently have about 300 members.


Australian Centurions



The Australian Centurions, established in 1971, are a very active group with 57 Australia Centurions (2009)
The founders decided that the positions of President and Vice President would be for terms of 2 years and would rotate through the membership in order of Centurion number. That would ensure that all members had the chance to serve the club in an official capacity.
Tim Erickson is the Secretary and he produces an excellent and informative Newsletter each month.

New Zealand Centurions

The New Zealand Centurions, full name New Zealand Centurions Endurance Walking Club, is a young organisation, having been founded November 29, 1998. As well as recognising centurion status, the New Zealand Centurions recognise the achievement of walking 100 kilometres in 14 hours 30 minutes.

Like many other national bodies in New Zealand representing minor sports, they are currently looking at ways to attract more people to centurionism and ultrawalking. One possibly being considered is to recognise other achievements such as walking 80 kilometres in 12 hours or 40 kilometres in six hours, two achievements recognised by the Australian Centurions.

They do not usually organise their own events. Instead, members enter events organised by other organisations, such as by the New Zealand Sri-Chinmoy marathon team. Their  website has recently been updated.


American (USA) Centurions

Also, there is an American Centurion title. The title was introduced in 1967 by the Columbia Track Club. They have become active once more, so check out the links page for the latest news or links. The last new American Centurion (57) is Geoff Tranter from Great Britain (in 23 hours, 49 minutes and 52 seconds).
UK American Centurions

Brown, Richard 49 24-Sep-00 Golden, CO 20:29:45
Brown, Sandra 50 24-Sep-00 Golden, CO 21:50:57
Bhatti, Parminder 52 24-Sep-00 Golden, CO 23:05:10
Green, Jill 53 24-Sep-00 Golden, CO 23:35:07
Tranter, Geoff 57 24-Sep-00 Golden, CO 23:49:52


Malaysian Centurions

The Malaysia Centurion Club was formed in Malaysia in 2001 and held their first 24 hour walk in August of that year. The inaugural race saw 11 new members. The next event was held in August 2003 and saw 12 centurion finishers to make 23 Malaysian centurions in total - from 15 countries.  Interestingly, organiser Khoo Chong Beng had decided that each finisher would be awarded a Malaysian Centurion number even if it was a second finish. This is the only Centurion Club which operates in this fashion. The other clubs only award a centurion number on the occasion of the first finish.

In the 2005 event, 12 finishers meant a further 12 centurion numbers were added to the list with the 12 representing CZE, ESP, BEL, FRA, RUS, GER, NED, AUS, MAS and BLR. No race can claim to be more world-inclusive than the Malaysian event.

While the first 3 events had been held in the relative coolness of the Genting Highlands resort, their most recent event, in August 2007, was staged in central Kuala Lumpur. The tough conditions ensured that only 5 walkers reached the 100 mile target.  Of the 5 successful walkers, 3 were Malaysian, indicating the increasing standard of local ultra walking within that country.  The other interesting note is that Kenyan women finished 1st, 2nd and 4th in the women's division, definitely another first in the world of ultra walking. Is this perhaps the first sign of an African interest in the ultra running and ultra walking disciplines.

Overall, the number of Malaysian Centurions stands at 40. The club has grown quickly and is one of the real success stories in ultra walking.

This event is unique in a number of ways
- it has a great mass participation and is a much bigger event numerically than other centurion events around the world
- it has firm Government support and offers cash prizes and subsidises overseas participants
- it regularly attracts large numbers of entrants from around the world
- any judging infringement incurs a 1 lap penalty, yet another innovation unique to this event.

As well as the 24 Hour event, Malaysia plays host to the very successful Penang International 12 Hour event which is also held every 2 years.


More long distance races are held in France, Germany, Spain and Belgium although no Centurion titles are awarded.