Fellowship
Race the World
fellowship of international centurions
Centurion walking has been officially recognised globally since at least 1911 when the UK Centurions was established. Since then, events have been established in the Netherlands (Continental), Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, United States of America and Africa (South Africa).
The Malaysian centurion is no longer held (races were held between 2001 and 2007) and the African centurion has not been held since 2019 (held between 2016 and 2019).
Prior to the establishment of this international committee, there was no central body with a goal of ensuring that events were undertaken in a manner that would uphold the integrity of this prestigious sport.
In October 2022 a German event was held which arguably was not conducted in a manner considered appropriate to uphold the integrity and expectations of international centurion qualifying events.
Whilst some members of the Fellowship currently have rules in place for their own annual events (UK, US and Australian requirements are available on their respective websites for example), there is no requirement for new events to adopt these or any other rules or standards.
That German event highlighted the need for a single international committee to be initially responsible for establishing clear minimum expectations for future events, and to ratify any application for a future event to join the Fellowship.
This process is expected to lend confidence to potential entrants, and also help event organisers to understand and meet minimum obligations for a successful international event.
Purpose of the committee:
- To establish and maintain rules for the conduct of new international centurion qualifying events.
- To provide general support and assistance to event organisers who are applying to become formally recognised as an international centurion event, and wish to join the Fellowship of International Centurions.
Read the full document Committee role and objectives
The formative committee of the Fellowship of International Centurions is (alphabetically):
Kathy Crilley (GBR)
Richard McChesney (NZL)
Jantinus Meints (NDL)
Gijs Den Ouden (NDL)
Rob Robertson (USA)
Justin Scholz (AUS)
David Sim (NZL).
*Note - no representative from the African or Malaysian centurion countries has been included as these events are not currently being delivered.
Enquiries and contact can be made through messages here on Facebook, or via email to fellowshipofcenturions@gmail.com. An email sent to the address above will automatically send to all members of the committee.
Together this committee formalised some general principles on race rules and the organisation of a Centurion qualifying race:
This group is for all persons interested in ensuring that the integrity of International centurion walking events is maintained. This group page, will be used as a repository for documentation relating to the Fellowship of International Centurions (Fellowship).
Specifically, new events that desire to become a part of the Fellowship will act in the spirit of the Fellowship and adhere to the criteria listed in the "Event qualification and application" process.
This group may also be used freely to promote and discuss all aspects of any current or proposed International Centurion walking events.
The rules established by the committee do not propose to replace any rules that existing Fellowship centurion countries already have in place. The rules only apply to new events with a desire to seek official Fellowship status.
Tim Erickson has also published useful guidance for race organisers on what their race participants can do and expect in a 24 hour race.