Emma Sharp - Pioneer of Racewalking?
Nick Fleeman’s interesting article on Emma Sharp, who was arguably the first woman to take part in racewalking (known as pedestrianism at the time).
Pedestrian Chronicles: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
The Remarkable Emma Sharp
Pedestrianism is as much a test of mental strength and resilience as it is of physical endurance. Walkers must overcome fatigue, pain, doubt and frequently self-pity in order to push through the miles required to achieve their goals. Throughout history the triumph of the human spirit has been exemplified during many incredible feats of pedestrianism. There are few finer examples of this truth than that afforded by the exploits of the remarkable Emma Sharp.
Robert Barclay Allerdice was born in Stonehaven, Scotland, in 1779. A landowner, who was also known as Captain Barclay, Allerdice was a true Renaissance man and a notable pioneer of pedestrianism during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The feat for which he is chiefly remembered today involved his successful completion in 1809 of what became known as the “Barclay Challenge” or “Barclay March.” To accomplish this, it was necessary for him to walk one thousand miles in one thousand hours. Allerdice’s outstanding achievement cemented his reputation of being perhaps the greatest walker of his day.
Little is known of the early life of Emma Sharp. What can be said is that she was born into a modest working class family in Bradford in 1832. The precise date of her birth has, alas, been lost in the mists of time. Her early life was unremarkable in every respect, and she would certainly have remained invisible and been long forgotten had she not made the momentous decision in 1864 to tackle the epic challenge named in Captain Barclay’s honour herself. With no background in athletics and having undertaken absolutely no training we may only guess at what motivated a working class housewife from Yorkshire to embark on what was described in the newspapers of the day as such an “arduous task.” Her granddaughter, Kathy Nicol would later postulate, “I think she did it to show that she could do it and to put women on the map.”
Emma, who was said to be of “slight build,” set out on her attempt on the 17th of September. Using the Quarry Bank public house in Dick Lane, Laisterdyke as her base Emma’s aim was to complete 14,600 laps of a 120 yard course that had been measured and roped off, covering two miles every 90 minutes day and night for the next 42 days. Upon finishing she would have completed the equivalent of over 38 back to back marathons. The publican of the Quarry Bank, clearly an enterprising gentleman, received a percentage of tickets sales for the event and in all at least one hundred thousand spectators attended at some point to observe the proceedings. Emma’s husband, the mechanic John Sharp, was not among them, however. Although he stayed at the Quarry Bank such was his embarrassment that he was unable to join the crowd who came to witness his wife scandalise polite Victorian society as she attempted to gain a place in the pages of history.The dress of the day for women would have proved far too restrictive and impractical for her exertions so instead Emma chose to wear a man’s suit described in the Bradford Observer as being comprised of a “red and black coat and inexpressibles.” The “inexpressibles” in question refer to trousers she wore, Emma was riding roughshod over the genteel sensibilities of the day by daring to wear such an item. She also sported a hat that was said to be decorated with “feminine adornments.” Photographs taken at the time show these to be flowers.
Emma’s exploits were widely reported in the press and they became the subject of heavy betting, particularly in the areas surrounding Bradford and Leeds. As the event progressed many “sporting gentlemen” who had placed a wager in the belief that it was impossible for a member of the fairer sex to succeed in such a physically demanding enterprise decided that they needed to take steps to protect their investment. Consequently, in addition to the jeers and catcalls that greeted her every step attempts were made to drug Emma’s food, burning embers were thrown in to her path and she was attacked with chloroform and, on multiple occasions, by men wielding sticks.
As Emma continued to make relentless progress towards the realisation of her goal the threat to her personal safety became so extreme that she took to carrying a loaded pistol. It is reported that she was required to discharge the weapon on no fewer that 27 occasions when the members of the crowd became particularly threatening. As the walk neared its conclusion and Emma showed no sign of stopping, efforts to sabotage her endeavour became increasingly desperate. Instances of aggressive and violent behaviour gained in frequency and gravity to the point that it became necessary for plain clothes police officers to be stationed in the crowd with a number of their uniformed colleagues accompanying Emma on the track. During the final day and night, a man armed with a loaded musket was employed to walk in front of Emma to ensure her safety and to keep her path clear of those who sought to thwart her attempt at the eleventh hour.
At approximately a quarter past five in the morning of October 29th an exhausted Emma triumphantly completed her challenge. A crowd of 25,000 spectators braved the inclement weather to gather at the finishing line to witness the culmination of not only an incredible feat of athletic endurance but also the shattering of the cultural perceptions of the age. Later in the day a band was commissioned to entertain the crowd and the Quarry Bank put on an ox roast in her honour.
Emma’s efforts were rewarded with £500 of the profits the event generated. She used her prize to open a successful rug making business in Laisterdyke. Her husband, John, was able to overcome the feelings of shame he had experienced during his wife’s endeavours and assumed a significant role in the running of the enterprise.
The great feats of pedestrianism throughout history serve as a powerful testament to the indomitable spirit of the human race. Emma Sharp provides us with a striking example of a woman who defied the limitations placed on her by a male dominated world and achieved the truly extraordinary. Today all who pull on club vests owe much to pioneers such as Emma Sharpe. We are undoubtedly standing on the shoulders of giants.
Nick F
November 2024
Emma Sharp
