the new breed, a small band of ultra distance specialists who, with travel becoming so much easier, would race on the continent 4, 5 or even more times a year. The leaders of this group were Richard and Sandra Brown, who because of their success in the French Cir-Select races, were invited to complete in the Paris - Colmar race, the revised version of the Strasbourg- Paris event in which Colin Young C317 had been successful 20 years earlier. Both managed to complete this most gruelling of walking challenges, Sandra finishing second in the ladies race. A few weeks later on the 27th-28th July, they would finish 1st and 2nd in the biennial Leicester race. Because of major road works on the Congerstone course and the dangers walkers faced in


getting to it, Leicester Walking Club decided to move the event to a new course at the small village of Hungarton to the east of the city. The circuit was 18 laps of just over 5 miles on undulating country lanes - a true test. 55 started and 31 finished, 13 of them for the first time. In winning the race, Richard Brown C760 notched up his 3rd victory, while his wife, Sandra C735 notched up her 5th ladies win. Jan Vos C369 became the 5th Dutchman to reach 10 completions. At the A.G.M. held in October, two new elections were made. John Hedgethorne C413 was elected as a vice-president and Piet Jansens C389 was elected as a vice-captain to represent the 180 Dutch members. At the end of October, Colin Young, Sandra Brown and Bob Dobson C786 took part in a 24


hour track race at Etrechy in France. Although it rained throughout the race, both Colin and Sandra set new world best figures at 100 miles (specially recorded) and 24 hours. Colin’s records were in the M55 age group, and Sandra’s were obviously ladies records. In June 1991, Richard and Sandra Brown were once again invited to compete in the Paris to Colmar race, Sandra repeated her second place of the previous year, while Richard was forced to retire at the half way (155 miles) point. He made up for his disappointment the following week by winning the Ewhurst 100 miles in 17 hours 52 minutes 47 seconds. 45 had started the race, 31 finished, 10 of them for the first time in what was a fairly uneventful race, that is until the end when the Watts brothers, Bob C838 & Ken C859 who had unintentionally walked the whole race together and were safe in 3rd position, were doing battle against the traffic in the last few hundred yards, only to see Per Pedersen C800 sweep past them and steal 3rd place by just 13 seconds.


On the inspired suggestion of Peter Worth C491, the Centurion’s meeting was held in October before the start of the Chippenham to Calne race. As had so often happened before, the secretary opened the meeting by reading the roll of honour of those that had passed away during the year. One of those on the list was former captain, Vice-President and the incumbent R.W.A. President Peter Worth. Another was the much respected administrator and organizer Lionel ‘Timber’ Woodcock C144. The secretary informed the meeting that 1991 marked the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Dutch Centurions and displayed a shield that would be presented to them to mark the occasion. He also informed the meeting of the very generous offer from Richard and Sandra Brown to provide a new base and bring the engraving up to date on “The Hammond Cup” at a cost of nearly £300.00. It was noted that there was no record of assets held by the Centurions and that a list should be prepared. One important item that had just come to light was the original minute book. (The second minute book is still missing). Notification was given of the possibility of a 100 mile race in Central London, organised by the Metropolitan Police. Richard Brown suggested that it could be extended to include a 200 km and 24 hour event which would become a qualifying event for Paris - Colmar if the French Authorities were in agreement. On the 31st July 1992, the second 100 mile race was held on the undulating Hungarton course, 59 started and 28 finished. They were led home in 18 hours 50 minutes 29 seconds by the seemingly unbeatable Richard & Sandra Brown who crossed the line hand in hand. The victory, however, was awarded to Sandra who had led all the way, the first time a woman had


45


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