Preview of upcoming Australian Centurions Race

By Fred Brooks

Jill Green already an Australian Centurion who hails from the United Kingdom will again try the Coburg 24 Hour race to be held on the week-end of the 16th.and 17th of April 2005,Jill will be trying not only to set a new Australian All-Comers record in the 60 to 64 age group but also will be out to beat Dutchwomans Anna Mansvelds time of 22 Hrs,41 minutes and 07 sec.World record that was set in the English Centurions race in 1987 at the age of 61 years.

Jill will be 63 at the time of the race and if she does record 100 Miles within the 24 Hour Limit not only will she become the oldest female to record this feat but she will set a newWorld record for 100 miles on the track as Anna Mansveld did her 100 miles on the road.

Also in the field will be Fred Brooks who holds the record for being Australias oldest Centurion walker on debut,Brooks walked 100 miles in 22 Hours,31Minues and 15 seconds at the age of 67,he could be the oldest man to record this feat on debut as the other claimant Len Mathews of the U.K. is listed in the English Centurion Handbook as being 66 when he became the U.Ks oldest Centurion on debut,but in a press release for the English Centurion race this year he is recorded as being 67,ironically Len Mathews was one of the four founders of the Australian Centurion Walkers club along with fellow Englishman Fred Redman who was also an English Centurion,Tom Daintry and Brian Parkinson both Australians.

Fred Brooks at 71 will try to set a World walking record for 24 Hours on the track,if he completes the 100 miles he will also break the legendary Cliff Youngs 24 hour Australian running record in the 70 to 74 age group,Stan Miskin at 79 will use this walk to gauge his fitness as he turns 80 in July and then he will be all out to break Drew Kettles 200km and 48 World records in that age group,Stans wife will also be taking part she will walk the 6hour section of the race where she has been placed in the last two years.

Geoff Hain Australias newest Centurion,he walked 100 miles at the Adelaide 24 hour in October 2004 will again try to reach the magical milestone,he has had a good lead up walking 90 km. in a race at Gosford in January this year,Geoff should also stand a good chance of winning the inaugural Australian 100km.Walking Championship held in con-junction with the 24 Hour event.

Fred Baker who lives in Australia 6 months of the year and the other 6 months in the U.K. will try again to become an Australian Centurion his pedigree is impeccable for he has walked the 100 miles in the U.K. on no less than 20 occassions if the weather remains cool he has a very good chance of succeeding.

The three remaining male members in the race are Ron McGregor who last year at his first attempt walked 134km.a very good effort,should do better this year,Don Mackechnie who will be attempting his first ultra at 71 years of age and lastly but not least David Billet who at 34 years of age and has already run the 100 miles on at least two occasions will be trying to get into the exclusive club of people who have run and walked 100 miles.

The other two females apart from Jill Green will be Deborah DeWilliams who last year
Completed an epic walk around Australia and also completed over 448km at the Colac
6 day race last November will try to add a Centurion badge to her already well deserved honours.Sandra Howarth already a seasoned ultra performer makes up the field.

To sum up this the race should have plenty of drama and with 24 hour walking now having all records and performances recognised more and more ultra runners are looking at having a go at this exacting sport especially with them becoming a member of that exclusive 100 mile walking and running club.

Venue - Coburg Harriers Track
Date - 16-17th April 05