Marcin’s Miles Better

The club’s top racewalker, Marcin Wojtowicz, was in Oxford at the weekend where he took part in a 1 mile race. Despite having back problems, Marcin showed his class, winning in a time of 8:47.30 and beating his nearest rival by almost 15 seconds. He was due to compete in a 10km race as well but pulled out as he didn’t feel well enough to tackle the distance. Congratulations Marcin on yet another magnificent achievement.

Latest Racewalking News

The recent activity of the racewalking group has brought some impressive performances.

At the Hampshire Veterans League meeting in Portsmouth in April, Marcin Wojtowicz set a new all time club record for the 2000 metres event, winning in a time of 10:39.4 in the V35 category. This eclipses the record which was previously held by Ian Leedham. At the same time, Derek Smith, by finishing third in the V50 race, set a new V70 club record with a time of 13:14.2. A week later, at the Hampshire Championships also held in Portsmouth, Derek posted a time in the 3000 metres event of 22:36.4 to secure the bronze medal, and also set another V70 club record in the process.

In other news, a small bit of history will be created shortly, as there will be a 2000 metres racewalking event taking place on the track at the club’s open meeting on Wednesday 16th July. This will be the first time that WADAC has hosted a walking race and it is hoped that, if it proves successful, there could be more races added to the club’s calendar in the future.

A beginners guide to Racewalking and the ‘Challenge’!

Time to step up to a new challenge? 

 Considering trying something new and rising to a new challenge?  Well, look no further! The wonderful world of race walking is here for YOU! 

Give it a go and who knows, you might just discover a whole new passion!  

Here are some friendly tips to help you hit the ground walking (pun intended!): 

 Master the technique: 

Race walking is much more than just fast strolling, it’s got a style all of its own. Keep one foot on the ground at all times (sneaky jogging is seriously frowned upon) and make sure your leading leg stays straight until your body passes over it. It might feel a bit funny at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. 

 Start slow and build up: 

Don’t worry about speed right away. Focus on getting the form right and walk just a short distance, maybe just round the block or a lap of the track. Gradually increase your time and distance. You’re not racing (yet!), so take it easy and enjoy the process. 

 What you need: 

No expensive equipment is required. A pair of trainers that offer support and flexibility will do the trick (definitely NO spikes). 

Swing those arms: 

Your arms are your secret weapon in race walking. Bend them to about 90 degrees and swing them energetically. Think of moving your hands from your sternum to your pocket and rather than punching forward focus on pulling your elbows backwards. Keep your shoulders down and your hands relaxed, don’t clench your fists. This will boost your momentum and make you feel like a pro. 

 Practice: 

Try doing some drills. When I started, I found the YouTube videos posted by Coach Carmen to be invaluable, have a look at Coach Carmen 101. It’s very important to have the right technique from the start as you will quickly develop muscle memory and rather than perfect, practice makes permanent. 

 Join the fun: 

Come and join us at the Bar End track on a Wednesday evening, sessions start at 6:00pm. You’ll be sure to receive a warm welcome. 

 Have a blast: 

Seriously, don’t stress if you’re not perfect right away. Enjoy the rhythm of your steps and the fact that you are challenging yourself and trying something new. You’re already a champion for starting. 

Give it a go and who knows you might surprise yourself with how much you love it. Any questions as you get going? Just ask. Rest assured, we’re here to cheer you on! 

Author: Nick Fleeman 

 NOW TRY THE CHALLENGE 

 If you feel even just a little bit motivated by Nick’s write up, then how about having a go at this. 

 Using the technique explained (as best you can) try doing a self-timed lap of the track. This could as be part of your usual warm up, warm down, separate from your normal session or even as part of a group, and note the time it took you to get around. Most people should be able to manage below 3 minutes 45 seconds, but it is more about enjoyment. If your time is significantly below this or you enjoyed the experience, then we would be delighted to have you join our group. Just for reference, our two senior citizen male walkers consistently go below 3 minutes and another one of our number regularly smashes the 2 minutes 15 seconds mark for a lap. 

We would be interested in seeing your times, so please feel free to let us know how you did by sending an email to derek.smith@wadac.org.uk  

Derek Smith 

Racewalking leader 

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

Nick’s Racewalking ‘Anniversary’ Memoir

Nick Fleeman’s written an article remembering the start of his journey racewalking at the club. Please read below:-

The Pedestrian Chronicles

WADAC Race Walking Reborn: Once more unto the track, dear pedestrians

1. Vagitus (16.11.22) (Vagitus: the first cry of a new born baby)

And they’re off! Race Walking at WADAC is up and – well not running (obviously) but rather propelling itself forward utilising advanced bipedal techniques of locomotion and an inverted pendulum gait in which one foot remains in contact with the ground at all times with the advancing knee straightened from the instant the foot ground strikes until such time as the vertical upright position is reached. In short, walking. And no, it’s not nearly as complicated as I’ve made it sound, that’s just me being grandiose and demonstrating an affinity with circumcursation (feel free to replace ‘grandiose’ with any adjective of your own choosing). Be sure that it is rather different, however, from the sort of stroll you might take to the shops to purchase your morning paper, or back from your hostelry of choice following a convivial evening spent in the company of friends and loved ones.

A latter-day triumvirate of lusty pedestrians representing the nascent group took to the Winchester Stadium track on the evening of Wednesday 16th November to herald the rebirth of race walking at WADAC. The malevolence of the evening’s weather ensured that it did not prove to be the most tranquil of confinements. But with spirits undampened, our heroic amble braved a tempest of freezing rain and driving wind of a ferocity typically confined to the upper reaches of the highest Himalayan peaks. Striking out with the steadfast fortitude of Mallory and Irvine and laughing in the face of the worst the elements could throw at them, their efforts exemplified the aspine swagger of a youthful Alcibiades. Theirs was a noble demonstration of the steely pluck that has characterised mankind’s finest athletic endeavours across the ages; from the moment the virtuous son of Pheidippos cried, “Chairete, nikomen,” to the celebrated day in 2015 when Boris Johnson heroically flattened a 10-year-old Japanese child during a “friendly” game of street rugby.

The evening’s session was masterfully orchestrated by Derek, the group’s doyen and by far the most experienced and proficient walker present. He led a series of warm up exercises (vital to forestall the onset of the worst of hyperthermia’s ravages) followed by a number of drills designed to hone the finer points of technique. The group than moved on to a pyramid session in which efforts were made over distances of one hundred, two hundred, three hundred, four hundred, three hundred, two hundred and one hundred metres. A one hundred metre gentle recovery walk interspersed each period of effort. Participants completed each at a pace of their own choosing.

And so WADAC race walking was reborn. What is sure is that the acorn has been sown and is safely ensconced in the fertile ground of England’s ancient capital. And I for one, can’t wait to watch it grow.

I would have taken a photograph to immortalise the occasion but, alas, I neglected to take gloves and lost all feeling in my hands, sensation not being fully restored until the following Friday.

Thanks for that interesting assessment Nick!

The History Of UK Racewalking By Nick Fleeman

Nick has written a fascinating history of how Racewalking has developed in the UK. Please read the article below:-

Nick F’s Brief (but very interesting) History of Race Walking in the UK 

Origins 

The roots of race walking can be traced back to the early 19th century, where it emerged as a popular pastime in England. The sport gained great traction during the 1860s, coinciding with the rise of pedestrianism, a competitive walking sport that involved long distance walking races. These events attracted substantial crowds and were held in public parks or on the streets of large cities. Pedestrianism grew during the Victorian era when members of the nobility would place wagers on the performance of the footmen they employed to walk alongside their horse drawn coaches. The inaugural Amateur Walking Championship was held in 1866 with J.G. Chambers of Cambridge University winning the seven mile race in a time of 59:32. Following the formation of the Amateur Athletics Association in 1880, track race walks have been included in every AAA championship since. 

Formalisation and Growth of the Sport 

As the popularity of race walking grew so did the need for formal regulations and governing bodies. In 1880, The National Walking Association (NWA) was established which played a critical role in standardising the rules of race walking and organising competitions.  The influence of the NWA helped to legitimise the sport and attract participants leading to the establishment of local clubs and competitions across the country. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, race walking continued to evolve with events ranging from short distances to ultra-marathon length races. Race walking made its Olympic debut in the 1904 St Louis games when an 800 metre walk formed part of an “All Round Championship” event, a forerunner of today’s decathlon and heptathlon. The sport gained particular recognition, however, when it was included as a discipline in its own right in the 1908 London Olympics four years later. The single “rule” in force at the time of the Games appears somewhat vague, “In Walking Races cautions and disqualifications to be left to the discretion of the Judges.” This inclusion marked a significant milestone for the sport as it provided the top British walkers with the opportunity to showcase their prowess on an international stage.  

The undoubted star of the 1908 Olympic race walking events was the Brighton policeman, George Larner. Having embarked on his athletic career at the age of 28 in 1903, the Highgate Harrier won both the 3500 metre and 10 mile events. In the 3500 metre race Larner finished in 14:55.0, ahead of fellow Brit, Ernest Webb, who won silver and the New Zealander, Harry Kerr who made the podium in third place. GB went one better in the ten mile race completing a clean sweep of the medals. With Larner once again victorious, Webb took his second silver and, on this occasion, fellow Briton, Edward Spencer claimed the bronze. On the day Larner set a new world record of 1 hour 15 minutes and 57.4 seconds. In fact, both he and Webb bettered the previous record. As both 3500 metre and ten mile walking events were discontinued following the London games technically Larner remains Olympic champion and record holder. During his illustrious career he held every world record from two to ten miles and the distance record for one hour (8.249 miles). His world two mile record was set in July 1904 and was to stand for the next 39 years. His book, “Larner’s Text Book on Walking: Exercise, Pleasure, Sport,” was published in 1909. 

Impact of the World Wars 

The two World Wars exerted a profound impact on race walking in the UK.  World War 1 saw top walkers enlisting in the military, leading to a decline in participation and a significant decline in events. The post war period saw a resurgence in interest with race walking becoming a popular recreational activity as servicemen returned home. The 1920s and 30s saw a revival of the sport with increased participation and the establishment of new clubs. World War 2 again disrupted the sport, but the post war era brought about significant changes. The formation of the British Athletic Association (BMAA) in 1946 provided a new governing body for athletics including race walking. The BMAA introduced standardised rules and regulations which professionalised the sport and encouraged greater participation at all levels. 

Modern Developments and International Success 

The latter half of the 20th century saw race walking in the UK reach new heights with British athletes achieving significant success on the international stage. The 1960s proved particularly notable with Don Thompson bringing home medals from the Olympics and European Championships. Having collapsed in the Melbourne heat during the 1956 Olympics, Thompson took an innovative approach to acclimatising for the heat he would encounter in the Rome games of 1960. Thompson boiled kettles and set up paraffin heaters in the bathroom of his parents’ home. He waited until the temperature reached 49 degrees centigrade before entering the room and starting to walk vigorously on the spot. He was forced to stop after 45 minutes feeling nauseous, dizzy and disorientated. The dangers associated with carbon monoxide poisoning were not fully appreciated at the time! Thompson’s somewhat extreme training regimen won rich reward however when he won gold in the 50 km walk in the Stadio Olimpico finishing in an Olympic record of 4 hours 25 minutes and 30 seconds. He was the only British man to win a gold medal at the XVII Olympiad. Ken Matthews won gold in the 20 km event at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and Paul Nihill finished second in the 50 km. Such achievements inspired a new generation of race walkers and contributed to the sport’s growing popularity. 

In recent years the UK has continued to produce world race walkers with athletes such as Tom Bosworth and Callum Wilkinson making their mark in international competitions. Wilkinson, a member of the Enfield and Haringay club, achieved a top 20 finish in the 20 km race walk at the Paris Olympics of 2024 finishing 16th in a time of 1:20:31. At the time of writing Tom Bosworth holds three world best times, for the indoor and outdoor 3 km in addition to the world mile record. Bosworth’s mile time of 5:31.08 was set during a meeting of the Diamond League in London in 2017. Bosworth has participated in two Olympic games and is currently the holder of six British records. He has won multiple medals in British Championships and has a silver from the 2018 Commonwealth Games.  

Future Challenges 

Despite its rich history and many successes, today race walking in the UK faces many significant challenges. The sport struggles with visibility and recognition compared to other athletic disciplines which undoubtedly hinders participation and sponsorship opportunities. Having been established in 1964, in 2024 Guernsey’s Sarnia Walking Club announced their decision to disband. An aging membership and low numbers of competitors and officials underpinned this decision. Other clubs will undoubtedly suffer the same fate or abandon competitive walking to focus on social rambling. The strict technical requirements involved can prove a barrier for newcomers as many find it difficult to master the style necessary for competition. The pressure and cost of travelling significant distances to participate in races only to face the prospect of disqualification can prove extremely off-putting for the novice walker. This is of particular relevance as a high degree of subjectivity is involved. Judgements are made on the basis of naked eye observations without recourse to modern technology. Whilst attempts have been made to introduce a number of initiatives at grassroots level their impact has been limited. The power of social media and digital platforms must now be exploited to raise awareness and attract new participants.  

Conclusion 

The history of race walking in the UK is testament to the sport’s resilience and evolution over the years. From its humble beginnings in the 19th century to its current status as a competitive discipline with international recognition, race walking has undergone significant changes. It is undoubtedly true, however, that the sport currently faces significant challenges that must be addressed to ensure its survival. Efforts must be made to effectively promote the sport and nurture new talent. 

British Olympic Race Walk Medallists 

Year Event Name Position Time 

1908 3500m George Larner Gold 14:55.0 

3500m Ernest Webb Silver 15:07.4 

10 miles George Larner Gold 1:15:57.4 

10 miles Ernest Webb Silver 1:17:31.0 

10 miles Edward Spencer Bronze 1:21:20.2 

1912 10000m Ernest Webb Silver 46:50.4 

1920 10000m Charles Gunn Bronze 49:43.9 

1924 10000m Gordon (Reg) Goodwin Silver 48:37.9 

1932 50km Tommy Green Gold 4:50:10 

1936 50km Harold Whitlock Gold 4:30:42 

1948 50km Tebbs Lloyd Johnson Bronze 4:48:31 

20km Stan Vickers Bronze 1:37:57 

1960 50km Don Thompson Gold 4:25:30 

1964 20km Ken Matthews Gold 1:29:34 

50km Paul Nihill Silver 4:11:32 

• It is 60 years since a British athlete achieved an Olympic podium finish. 

• One third of all the medals achieved were won in the 1908 London games. 

Marcin’s 50k Racewalking Event

The club’s premier racewalker, Marcin Wojtowicz, challenged himself to do a 50k walk at the athletics track in Gloucester on Saturday night. The race was started at midnight with a 10 hour cut off period to complete it. Marcin eventually finished 4th in an impressive time of 7hours 2minutes and 57seconds. All this while most of us were probably tucked up in bed. It is a remarkable achievement and Marcin should be extremely proud of himself. Congratulations Marcin!

Latest Racewalking News

Marcin Wojtowicz will be attempting to complete a 50k ultra racewalk at the Gloucester athletics track on Saturday night. The race starts at midnight and the competitors are allowed 10 hours to complete the event. It will no doubt test the competitors stamina and hopefully Marcin will be in the mix to win it. Good luck Marcin!

In other news, Derek Smith took part in the Aldershot, Farnham & District open meeting last Thursday. He completed the 2k event in 13:37.08 to finish 2nd male,despite suffering the effects of a cold virus and a strong headwind.

Nick Fleeman’s summary of the 2024 Hampshire Vets League Racewalking Efforts

Nick Fleeman has written this fascinating and somewhat humerous account of the club’s racing efforts in the recent Hampshire Veteran’s League. Although the club has done very well, especially in the men’s event, it would be great if more people (seniors & juniors) got involved in the sport generally. Anyone who had the chance to see the marathon mixed relay which took place in the Paris Olympics recently would surely appreciate how exciting and demanding racewalking can be. If you would like to learn more about the sport and get involved, please let me know. My email address is derek.smith@wadac.org.uk

Training sessions normally take place on Wednesday evenings at the track commencing at 6p.m.

Thank you Nick for this article.

Hampshirevetsleague 2024

Nick F’s reflections on the season that was

The opening match of the 2024 Hampshire vets league was held on Monday 29th April when the Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club welcomed athletes from across the county to the Down Grange Stadium. A sizeable field of twenty six competitors took to the track for the combined men’s and women’s 2000 metre race walking event and fabulous performances by WADAC athletes saw us storm to victory in both categories. The women’s race was won by Vicky Gill who left many much more experienced walkers trailing in her wake finishing in an excellent time of 13:38.7, a full twelve seconds ahead of her nearest rival.

In the men’s event, our newest recruit, Marcin Wojtowicz, destroyed the field coming home in an outstanding time of 10:48.7, the second fastest time ever achieved by a WADAC athlete. The club 2000 metre walk record (all categories) of 10:44.0 was set 16 years ago by Ian Leedham who has since relocated to Cornwall where he continues to compete for the Newquay Road Runners. The League record of 8:59.3 was established in 2008 at the Mountbatten Stadium, Portsmouth, by Fleet and Crookham’s Nick Silvester; this on the same night that Katy Perry kissed a girl and found she liked it and The Dark Night featuring Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker premiered in New York. In the intervening years Marcin’s time has been bettered in the League on just two occasions. When he breaks Silvester’s record, as he surely will, his efforts will certainly be rewarded with a bottle of a high quality ethanol based beverage distilled in his homeland, provided courtesy of his fellow race walkers.

Also taking part in Basingstoke were WADAC’s Head of Walks, Derek Smith, along with yours truly. We both succeeded in posting times that bettered our best efforts of last year with Derek completing the course in 13:03.8. I managed a sub thirteen minute finish with 12:53.5.

The final League meet of the season, held at the Military Stadium, Aldershot on July 8th was the second match to include race walking in the programme. On this occasion Marcin was unable to represent the club as he was busy elsewhere, tearing up the track in the Polish National Championships winning silver and bronze medals in the 5000 metre and 3000 metre walk events. The old war horses, Derek and Nick, vacated their respective pastures to pull on the black and gold vest and both proved that they can still raise a gallop when the occasion demands. Both beat the times that they had achieved earlier in the season with Derek coming home in 13:02.670 and me in 12:45.534. I don’t know about Derek but this is the first time I have ever received a finishing time correct to a thousandth of a second!

The table below provides a summary of the walking points we amassed:

Men’s Results Overall

Club

Total points

Southampton

31

WADAC

26

Overton

23

Basingstoke & Mid Hants

19

Havant

15

Aldershot Farnham & District

13

Fleet & Crookham

3

This marks a significant improvement on our 2023 performance when we achieved a total of just 18 points. This season race walking points accounted for 9% of the WADAC men’s total points score; no mean feat considering the fact that race walking is included in just two of the four matches that are held.

Women’s results overall

Club

Total points

Aldershot Farnham and District

29

Fleet & Crookham

23

Havant

22

Southampton

18

Basingstoke and Mid Hants

14

WADAC

8

Aside

Speaking of record attempts in 2008:

Iran made a valiant attempt to break the world record for creating the world’s largest sandwich. This was to be an impressive 1500 metres long. Unfortunately, the attempt failed as the crowd who had gathered to watch history made ate the sandwich before it could be measured.

Ah, they were heady days.

Nick F.

July 2024

Marcin wins two medals in Poland

Club racewalker, Marcin Wojtowicz, returned to his homeland in Poland to take part in the Polish Masters Athletics Championships. Racing on Saturday in the 3000m event he finished in 3rd place in his age category, thus securing a bronze medal. The following day he went again in the 5000m race and achieved one better, grabbing 2nd place and a silver medal. A brilliant effort and very many congratulations on these achievements.

A Tale Of Two Walks

Club racewalker, Nick Fleeman, has an inspirational book published interlinking two major events in his life. One being a life saving operation a few years ago, and the other representing his country earlier this year. It is a remarkable story and well worth a read and currently available to buy on Amazon in either paperback or Kindle format. Please click on the link below.

A Tale of Two Walks: Amazon.co.uk: F, Nick: 9798323294794: Books

If you wish to contact Nick regarding his experiences, his email address is: njfleeman@gmail.com

Walkers shine at Hampshire Championships

Congratulations go to Marcin Wojtowicz who won the Senior Men’s 3000m race in a personal best time of 16:47.7 and setting a new club record in the process. Sadly, because he is not Hampshire qualified he was unable to receive a medal for his achievement. In other results, Derek Smith posted a season’s best time of 20:03.0 in the same event.

A Dogged Performance At Battersea By Nick

Nick Fleeman braved some very wet conditions on Tuesday evening to compete in the 1st Veterans AC 5k open walk at Battersea Park in London. He put in a sterling performance posting a time of 34m34s, finishing 5th overall in the Men’s race and third in the V65 category. Very well done Nick!

Derek Walks Eastleigh

Racewalking leader, Derek Smith, joined the 2000+ field for the Hendy Eastleigh 10k road race on Sunday. However, he elected to walk the course instead of running it, finishing in a chip recorded time of 1h10m13s. This time far exceeded his expectations and he was delighted with his performance.

Nick Fleeman Selected for GB Racewalking Event.

Nick Fleeman has been selected to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the forthcoming European Indoor Masters Championships at Torun in Poland. Nick will be competing in the 3000m racewalk on Monday 18th March in the MV65 category. His selection comes as a result of impressing the selectors at the British Masters track and field championships last September with a bronze medal winning performance. Many congratulations on your selection Nick.

Results From The Ray Hall Memorial Racewalking Event At Aldershot

Three WADAC walkers took part in this 5k event on Sunday 28th January at the Military Stadium in Aldershot. Newcomer Marcin Wojtowicz in his first race for the club won the Men’s V35 category in a very impressive time of 29:45.16. Derek Smith won the Men’s V65 category with a new personal best time of 36:03.73. Unfortunately Nick Fleeman, who was still suffering from the effects of a cold virus which probably resulted in him losing his form and technique, was disqualified from the race after accruing too many violations of the rules. It is fully expected that Nick will be back to his best in no time at all.

Racewalking Training

Just a reminder that Racewalking training takes place at the track on Wednesday evenings commencing at 6 p.m. If anyone is interested, please contact Derek Smith on email: derek.smith@wadac.org.uk

This may be of particular interest to any parents whose children attend training sessions on Wednesday evenings. However, we would welcome anyone (Seniors or Juniors) to join us. Basically, all you need is a pair of trainers and suitable clothing, and we will teach you the Racewalking technique when you attend.

Aldershot Open Track & Field Meeting on Thursday 17th August (includes Racewalk event)

Full event listing

The third of the Summer open series takes place on Thursday 17th August at the Aldershot Military Stadium and includes a 2000 metre Racewalk.

Event schedule is as follows:-

18:00 2000m Walk U13 and older age groups

18:15 150m U11 only

18:30 200m U13 and older age groups

18:55 1000m U11 only

19:00 1500m U13 and older age groups

20:00 3000m U13 and older age groups


18:00 Javelin U13 and older age groups

19:00 Shot Put U13 and older age groups

Under 15s can enter either the 1500m or 3000m but not both

Entries close on Monday 14th August or when events are full

Entries via race-results.co.uk

Aldershot Open Track & Field Meet on Thursday 27th July (Includes Racewalk event)

The second of the summer open series takes place on Thursday 27th July at the Aldershot Military Stadium and includes a 1 mile Racewalk.

Event Schedule is as follows:-

• 18:00 1 mile Walk U13 and older age groups

• 18:15 75mtr U11 only

• 18:25 100mtr U13 and older age groups

• 18:50 600mtr U11 only

• 19:00 800mtr U13 and older age groups

• 20:00 3000mtr U13 and older age groups

• 18:00 Hammer U13 and older age groups

• 19:00 High Jump U13 and older age groups

Under 15s can enter either the 800 mtr or 3000 mtr but not both

Entries close on Monday 24th July or when events are full

Entries via race-results.co.uk

Race walking

This post uses a new race walking category