entry list, 32 toed the line at the start of the race, only 4 of them Dutch, their smallest turnout for many years. Whether it was the lack of facilities, the toughness of the course (is there an easy 100 miles?), a slackening of interest in long distance racing or the hot July weather that caused the low turnout, nobody knows. 27 minutes after the start, the field was increased by 2 when the Watts brothers who had transport problems were given permission by the referee to start late, they would not however be allowed any extra time. The combination of hot weather and a hard course certainly took their toll as only 13, the lowest number in a road race since the pre-war days, managed to complete the course with only 3 becoming new Centurions. This situation was a matter of great concern to Leicester Walking Club who had promoted 19 races since 1958. Would they have to find yet another new course? Would they continue to promote 100 mile races? Only time would tell. The race was won once again by Richard Brown C760, his fifth 100 mile win, or sixth if you include the joint victory with his wife Sandra, on the same course two years earlier. Sandra C735 finished second in the race, it was her eighth time as first lady. At the A.G.M. held at Leicester after their 7 mile race in October, a report was given on a discussion between the Centurions and the R.W.A. trophy secretary in respect of the “Sunday Dispatch” trophy. While it was generally agreed that the trophy was the property of the R.W.A. it was not listed on their register. The plinth was in a rundown condition and there was no space for any additional shields to update it. It was agreed to investigate the possibilities of restoring or replacing it, with some financial assistance from the R.W.A. Surrey Walking Club announced that due to the growing safety problems encountered at the last Ewhurst race, their 1995 promotion would probably be held in Battersea Park. Earlier in the year a unique event took place. The long awaited channel tunnel (it was first planned some 150 years ago) was finally completed and before it was opened for business the Daily Mail sponsored a charity walk through its 50 km length. 100 celebrities and others were chosen to take part in this never to be repeated event. Two of them were Centurions, Alec Ross C854 who kept popping up on the television reports in his police uniform, and vice- captain


Charlie Weston C584 (the similarity of their Centurion numbers is just a


coincidence), who was the first person to come into the daylight in his union jack shorts, until he was required to fall behind the ‘celebrities’. Charlie actually walked about 70 km in order to cope with the dreadfully slow pace. He would race ahead and then double back behind the main party so that he could catch them up again. Both men were excellent ambassadors for the sport of walking. In February 1995, the secretary, Freddie Baker C266 emigrated to Australia with his promise to return for a visit whenever possible. His last action after handing over the reins to his assistant, Bill Sutherland C890 with his much regretted letter of resignation, was to visit the printers and deliver the pre-addressed envelopes for the Christmas letter. The Surrey Walking Club race was held as expected in Battersea Park on August 5th-6th


1995 amid very hot and humid conditions. The race had been moved from Ewhurst for safety reasons but with hoards of people in the park taking part in various competitions and the constant threat of being run down by roller skaters, one wonders if even a park circuit can be called safe. 65 walkers faced the starter, many of them experienced Centurions, some for the first time and some having yet another try. 32 completed the course and for only the third time in our history, one walker was disqualified. The winner of the race in what for him was a slow time of 19 hours 23 minutes 16 seconds, was once again Richard Brown C760, equaling the record of 6 wins by Dave Boxall C464. Finishing some way down the field but still first lady (9th time) was his wife Sandra C735 also in a slow time. Both of them joined the list of those with 10 British completions. The reason for their slow times is that earlier in the year they had both set new best times for the journey from Lands End to John O’Groats! Of the 13 new Centurions the performance that surely have been most pleasing, was that of Pam Ficken


47


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