timers, 12 of them Dutch, bringing their numbers up to 175. At the A.G.M. held in October, the secretary reported that the Centurions trophy, The Hammond Cup had been mislaid and that urgent action should be taken to trace its whereabouts. He also reported that owing to severe back problems, the captain, Peter Worth C491 would be retiring from active long distance walking and would be standing down as captain. John Eddershaw C299 was elevated from the vice-captaincy to take his place. John was also elected to the restored list of Life Vice-Presidents as were Piet Jansens C389 and Ann Sayer C599. Colchester A.C. had planned to hold another track race in 1989 but unfortunately it was not possible. In its place and to maintain the continuity of a race each year, the Metropolitan Police announced that they would be staging a 100 mile race at the Hendon Training Centre. It would be a memorial race to Arthur Eddlestone C531 who had died in a climbing accident in 1984.
The fears and concerns for the safety of walkers in road races that had been expressed over the years, were overcome on 29th-30th July 1989, by staging the Arthur Eddlestone Memorial 100 completely within the grounds of the Metropolitan Police Training Centre at Hendon. The precisely measured 1 mile circuit was a mixture of roads with ramps to prevent stepping up to pavements, a part of the athletics track and a slalom course through the car park. 77 walkers were set on their way by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Peter Imbert Q.P.M. in fine bright conditions which later gave way to high winds and squally showers which lasted for most of the race, and led to many of the 35 retirements. The winner of the race in 18 hours 11 minutes 8 seconds was Edmund Shillabeer C590. Several excellent performances were recorded, including Sandra Brown C735 in 8th place and getting back to sub 20 hour form 2 years after the birth of her daughter. Gerrit de Jong C456 and Geoff Tranter C507 both completed their 10th British 100’s. Exactly half, 21 of the finishers became new Centurions, 8 of them policemen. One of the new police Centurions was Peter Addison who did an extra lap, just to be certain. Another first timer was Reit Horber who became the first lady Centurion from Switzerland. Her husband Eric C809 had qualified in 1986. For several of the finishers, this was their 2nd or 3rd 100 of the year, having competed at Rouen or St. Oedenrode. Most of this new breed of distance walkers would also take part in the Roubaix 28 hours a few weeks later when the biggest party ever went over for this classic event. At the A.G.M. the secretary informed the members that The Hammond Cup had been returned but it had not been engraved since 1965 and was missing its base. It was agreed that it should be restored to its former dignity if the money could be found. The ongoing problem with the “Sunday Dispatch” trophy was also raised. It had been generally agreed that it was the property of the R.W.A. but was for the exclusive use of the Centurions. The biggest problem would be that when it was won by a Dutch team, (as it so often was) they were unable to take it back to Holland due to the insurance arrangements. The matter was to be taken up again with the R.W.A. to see if a solution could be found. In these days of high interest rates and rising inflation such matters were likely to be expensive and so once again an appeal was made. The Centurions responded in their usual generous way.
The Unstoppable Browns
Since the heady days of the mid seventies and early eighties when fields of up to 100 would start the annual race, the numbers were now dropping to more manageable proportions, generally being contested by the same band of enthusiasts and occasional newcomers, plus those who would not give up in their attempts to achieve Centurion status. There was also
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