US Centurions
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US Centurions
The US race venue for the Centurions qualifying race has moved around the USA over the years - Colorado, Texas, California, Minnesota, New York State....
Over the decades over 90 walkers have achieved Centurion status including many existing British, Dutch, Belgian and Australian Centurions.
Erin and Dave Talcott along with Rob Robertson took over the race organisation in 2016 and the venue changed to New York State.
However, there is a second qualifying race held within the F.A.N.S 24 hour race in Minneapolis.
The title of US CENTURION was introduced in 1967 by the Colombia Track Club when sixty-year-old, Larry O’Neil walked the “100” in 19 hours 24 minutes and 34 seconds.
This was an American outdoor record for the distance that stood for eleven years. Thus began the modern-era 100-mile racewalking championship for America.
60-year-old Larry O’Neil, a “lumberjack” from Montana went to compete. He said, “I figured they were handing out six trophies so I could probably take sixth. I just wanted to see if I could do it, go 100 miles.”O’Neil surprised everyone and won - his last lap being faster than his first and established a modern-era American 100-mile walking record. A few days later, O’Neil, with sore feet proclaimed, “That was the last one I’m going to be in.” However, he continued to dominate and finished at least six more 100s, including one at age 70 with a time of 21:55:23.
However, the records show that in 1878 three walkers were awarded Centurion status:
C1 J.B. Gillie 21.00.42
C2 M.J. Ennis 23.31.56
C3 J. Schmidt 23.46.15
As usual, the 100 miler attracts existing Centurions from Europe and beyond.
In 2018 Andrew Titley (100 Miles 22:27:32 Total 106.8 Miles) set a new course record
2022
December 28 -29 Across the Years Race, Phoenix, Arizona
report from Erin Talcott
It has become a well established race, the Across the Years multi day race in Phoenix, Arizona in the US. Runners come from all over to test their metal from a marathon up to a 6 day race. Held in the spring training grounds of various baseball teams such as the Dodgers, the course is on a 1686.218 Meters (1.0477 miles) loop. On “Main Street” is the start/finish line area along with the race aid station and the tent city for people who wish to rent tents. On the “South side” is a long stretch where RVs can be parked for people who have them. The course is a mixture of sand and fine pebbles (I can’t quite bring myself to call it gravel.) and concrete. The majority of it is the sand/pebble mixture, which is great for not pounding the pavement step after step, hour after hour and day after day. But, if it were to rain it turns into a bit of a muddy mess.
Unfortunately that is just what happened for the first day of the six day competition. Starting about 10 PM the night before it rained, so by the time the start rolled around at 9:00 AM the rain had made a big of a mess. This didn’t deter the runners or the 5 competitors entered in the inaugural Across the Years Centurion event.
Three of our competitors were complete newbies: Greg Salvesen, age 36 is a well known ultra runner in the area. The locals were very excited to see what he could do walking since he’s such a strong runner. Mary Cole was celebrating her 50th birthday on race day and was incredibly nervous as she didn’t know what would count as running versus walking. After some advice and coaching she got in a good, and walking legal, groove. Kelly Henkel, age 27, was giving ultra everything a try, giving the Centurion walk a try and entered in the 6 day competition for after her first 24 hours were over.
Greg’s 100 mile time of 22:59:11 earned him US Centurion number 101. He is a fantastic addition to the brother and sisterhood of Centurions and I can see him achieving much more in the world of ultra walking.
The race organizers were very enthusiastic about the Centurion competition.
Full report on the US Centurions website
June 4-5. Minneapolis
"The United States Centurion qualifier was walked alongside the F.A.N.S 24-hour race at Normandale Lake Bloomington MN. The race was a huge success. Thank You F.A.N.S for allowing us to include our Qualifier with your race. Thanks to Bruce Leasure for judging the walkers and about 100 more things Bruce does behind the scenes."
24 Hour Walk
1 Kim Janssens 101.72
2 Susan Grimes 100.07
3 Martin Vos 100.07
4 Bruno Bornsztein 69.05
5 John Greene 58.13
6 Annette LeDuc 53.38
7 Jerry Young 49.02
8 Rob Robertson 43.56
9 Michael Price 41.74
10 Bruce Leasure 23.87
2 Susan Grimes 100.07
3 Martin Vos 100.07
4 Bruno Bornsztein 69.05
5 John Greene 58.13
6 Annette LeDuc 53.38
7 Jerry Young 49.02
8 Rob Robertson 43.56
9 Michael Price 41.74
10 Bruce Leasure 23.87
Perfect weather for this year’s Centurion qualifier. Not too hot and no rain. Everyone is in agreement, the lake Normandale course has the most hills of any Centurion worldwide. In the first 8 hours there were six walkers with a shot at Centurion. By nighttime there were four. When you think about it, Centurions are made at night. For most walkers nighttime is the low point of the race. Something is hurting. Eyes get heavy. Energy in short supply. When first light broke three were still on track. Right after sunrise Kim Janssens finished his Centurion. A well walked race and respectable time of 22:29:00 in the small mountains around Lake Normandale. Makes Kim the ninth person worldwide to have membership in six Centurion clubs. Mutiple Badge List Martin Vos and Susan Grimes still with a chance. With one hour left in the 24 hour time limit Martin and Susan moved to the short course. Attempting a last lap around the Lake only counts if you finish the lap. On the short course you cross the timing mat every eighth of a mile. All of us watching had our watches, slide rules, calculators and fingers crossed. No matter how you added everything up it was going to be close. A real nail biter. It was scream at Susan and Martin then calculate, then scream some more. When the gun went off Susan and Martin had walked 100.07 miles. Susan crossed the mat the last time 23:58:33. Martin Crossed at 23:58:53. What a photo finish. Well Walked Centurions.
C98 KIM JANSSENS BELGIUM 22:29:00
C99 SUSAN GRIMES USA 23:58:33
C100 MARTIN VOS NETHERLANDS 23:58:53
Like so many athletic events around the world, the 2020 US Centurions was cancelled.
Six Days in the Dome
August 2019
Report from Rob Robertson
What a weekend. I was invited as a Centurion judge for the first 24 hours of Six Days in the Dome, Milwaukee.
To qualify as a Centurion the walkers had to walk 100 miles in the first 24 hours. Who besides six badge Centurion Australian Justin Scholz would want to do that?
We had five walkers. US Centurions C34 Mario Escobedo, C48 Ivo Majetic. Multi World walking Record Holder Yolanda Holder. Multi day walker Anthony Culpepper, Long distance walker and almost Centurion Bob Davidson.
So here we all are inside a giant ice rink. A three lane track around all of it. Constant 55 degrees. Anthony was a pleasant surprise. Spends his days in the Colorado Rocky Mountains checking trees. Thin air and mountain hiking is good Centurion training. Ivo had stomach problems but vowed to gut out his hundred. Yolanda had one of those late hard up and down races. One hour you are on top. The next hour you think you are not going to make it. An emotional roller coaster.
The result. Three 100 mile finishers.
NEW Centurion C93 Anthony Culpepper 22:11:56.
Centurion C48 Ivo Majetic 22:57:01.
NEW Centurion C94 Yolanda Holder 23:51:32.
C34 Mario Escobedo and Bob Davidson with a great mileage start to their 6 day race.
US Centurion qualifier in Minneapolis, June 2019
Report from Rob Robertson 2nd June 2019:
"As a result of spring flooding the United States Centurion qualifier FANS race was moved to Lake Normandale in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
While only ten miles from the traditional site and paved completely around the lake, there were several hills on the 1.85 mile loop. The kind of hills that look like mountains late in the race. 18 walkers signed up for the 24 hour including four U.S. Centurions.
John Green C70, Joe Roche C74, Rob Robertson C78, David Holmen C91.
Rob returned as apprentice judge to Chief Judge Bruce Leasure. David ran with the runners.
Other known walkers were Gertrude Achterberg (NED). Gertrude returned to FANS from The Netherlands, looking to complete her collection of six World Centurion Badges. Experienced long distance walkers Paul Terbrack, Ray Sharp, Karen Kramer. Canadian long distance runner Scott Burton switching to walking this year. Retired FANS race directors Paul & Pat Sackett. Long time distance walker with a new knee this year Dave Daubert. Long time race participant Gene DeFronzo. Judy Altman, Kate Rinke, Kendra Martin, Mike Price and Robert Schnetzler rounding out the list.
The race started at 8am sharp. Early Ray Sharp put on a race walk clinic. Gertrude Achterberg not far behind. By the twelve hour mark only Ray, Gertrude and Paul Terbrack were over 50 miles. Joe Roche and Karen Kramer needing a small negative split for success. The hills and hot afternoon took there toll. At 20 hours only Gertrude had a chance at Centurion. Sadly it was not meant to be this year. No New United States Centurion.
Visit the US Centurions website for more information, previous reports and results (external website)
List of US Centurions (2022)