In June 1907, the record set by H.W. Horton was beaten by more than 2 hours, when T.E. Hammond did the double distance in 18 hours 13 minutes 37 seconds. Pundits of the day thought that this record would be unbeatable. Hammond was followed home by 5 others, one of whom was W. Brown, so far the only true Centurion! He lived to celebrate his 103rd birthday in 1981. In 1908, two Surrey Walking Club members attempted the Brighton and Back. Neither finished!


On September 11th – 12th 1908 the first 24 hour track walking race of the 20th century was held at the White City Stadium in London, when T.E. Hammond created a new track record for 100 miles in 18 hours 4 minutes 10 seconds. He set up many other records and eventually recorded 131 miles 580 yards within the 24 hours. 16 others, 4 of whom already had a 100 in 24 under their belts, also completed the event. In the following year another 24 hour track race was held at the same venue, the winner being T. Payne who had competed the previous year. He covered 127 miles 542 yards in the 24 hours, an improvement of almost 19 miles on his previous performance. He also bettered the figures for several intermediate distances. 24 others, 21 of them for the first time, also completed the event. The popularity of long distance walking, it seems, had taken a hold on the walkers of the day, certainly on the track anyway.


The Foundation Early in 1911, E.R. “Bob” Gillespie, who had walked 106 miles without stopping in the


1908 24 hour race, conceived the idea of forming the Centurions, and as a result of discussions with Hammond and Neville a meeting was arranged of those who were qualified. This meeting took place at the ‘Ship & Turtle’, 131 Leadenhall Street, London, on the 11th May, 1911 which just happened to be the 131st day of the year. One of those present at this inaugural meeting was T.E. Hammond, the 24 hour world record holder, his record being 131 completed miles. The number 131 has no particular significance to Centurions, except for these co-incidences; but it is interesting to note that Centurion number 131 was S.G. Last. (How many Centurions who, when qualified for the first time, have said that it will also be the last?)


At this inaugural meeting it was decided to form a brotherhood to be called


‘CENTURIONS’. James Edwin Fowler-Dixon, being the senior person present and having the longest standing qualifying performance (34 years), was elected president for life, and would bear the burden of being No. 1 (C 1). Fowler-Dixon’s performance has been discussed above, and so in many ways it is fitting that he is distinguished from those who followed from 1902, when events were begun on a regular basis. There were or would have been many others who had walked 100 miles with 24 hours, but they could not be considered for membership as many were professionals or had passed on, and therefore would not be able to take an active role. It also seems that there were some ‘qualified’ walkers who did not take up the option of membership. The reasons why are unknown.


The Minutes of the first 2 meetings of the Brotherhood of Centurions are reproduced on the following pages.


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