temperature touched 25oC and conditions were very trying for the first few hours. Although no one managed to reach the 1000 furlong post, 22 of the 55 starters reached 100 miles, Ian Statter C968 led the 10 new Centurions to the finish in a convincing time of 19.11.12. Of the 6 new British Centurions, three (Maureen Latham C974, Dave Eldridge C975 and Norman Smith C976), were from the Isle of Wight. The last of the Centurion finishers, Piet Van de Kroft C977, made his objective with 4 minutes 33 seconds to spare. Everyone involved in the weekend's proceedings seemed delighted at the success of the event and happy for the organiser, Ron Wallwork C893 and 1966 Commonwealth Games champion, who had worked tirelessly for over a year to make sure the Millennium Challenge was truly a memorable occasion. All participants received a pin (Millennium Member of the Racecourse) and a beautiful engraved medal (Captain Barclay Challenges). The new millennium saw the Centurions embrace the brave new online world with Roger Le Moine C802 announcing a Centurion’s website. The year also saw Club Vice Captain Sandra Brown become the first person to qualify for all 5 Centurion badges, completing her set with a sterling performance, along with husband Richard and Jill Green, through snow and blizzards in Colorado in the U.S.A. In February 2001, the Centurions were informed that the Coventry Godiva Club would not


The year 2000 began with the sad news that one of the most well known and active Centurions, John Hedgethorne C413, had died in sudden circumstances in January. John was one of the stalwarts of racewalking. From his first involvement in athletics to his final days, his story his involvement was non-stop all-round commitment. He was an international walker and winner of the 1969 Bristol 100, a race organiser par excellence including ultra- distance events, editor of our sport’s Race Walking record publication, and held many positions of office at the various clubs he belonged to. The 2000 Centurion event, billed as The Captain Barclay Millennium Challenge, offered distances of 50 miles, 100 km, 100 miles and 1000 furlongs (125 miles). It was held on an excellent course adjacent to the Rowley Mile racecourse at Newmarket on 12-13 August. A memorable reception attended by the Mayor of Newmarket and other local dignitaries and superbly organised by Ron Wallwork C893 the evening before the race, marked it out as a special occasion, plus the race began by walkers starting from the centre of Newmarket and following the historic route to the racecourse. The start time of 3pm on Saturday 12th August was perhaps fortuitous as the afternoon


be able to promote the annual Centurion qualifying event as previously arranged, meaning that for the first time since 1950 there would be no 100 mile race. To resolve the situation and maintain tradition, Chris Flint, the Vidarians President, suggested the London Vidarians might promote the event on the 1996 Colchester course that John had helped to arrange and that it be held in his memory. With limited resources and a maximum of 6 months to make arrangements and promote the


event, it seemed an impossible dream, but with assistance from Bob Watts C838, Ken Watts C859 and Ron Wallwork C893 the project got off the ground. The event was titled the 'Hedgethorne Hundred' but it was actually a 24 Hour race. It turned out to be a great success despite inclement weather and a few hiccups along the way. The field contained 2 Ukrainian athletes, neither of whom were successful. With 3


attendants, they remained in Colchester and ran up large accommodation/food bills before leaving without paying, stating that race organisers would settle such accounts.


This resulted


in over £600 of loss. However, showing the best side of Centurionism, an appeal among members and the wider walking fraternity saw this amount recouped by generous donations. The race turned into a battle of between Richard Brown C-760 and Bob Dobson C-786 who were never more than a few minutes apart. There had not been a race of such drama since 1955 when Hew Neilson raced Vic Stone, and


in 1986 when Richard Brown raced John 51


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