The Early LDWA Trail 100-milers held in England 1973-1979

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By Davy Crockett

Trail 100-milers started to be held in Great Britain in 1973, four years before the Western States 100 was established in America. This piece of ultrarunning history is largely unknown to Americans who have been told for decades that trail 100-milers began first in the U.S. In reality, trail 100s were also known to be held in Mexico among the Tarahumara as early as 1867. Thus, recognition is deserved among several cultures and countries to those who dared to head out into the rural wilderness to achieve the distance of 100 miles on foot. See the new book: Running 100 Miles Part One: A History (1729-1960).

The Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA)

In 1972, a British association was founded named The Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA). The LDWA started with 355 members. Eventually, the organization grew to more than 9,000 members.

The LDWA defined a “long distance walk” as any walk of 20 miles or more. They wanted to concentrate on rural walks. Local groups were created, a journal eventually called Strider was published, and group walking events were established, referred to as “social events.” In the very first issue in 1972, it was written, “Although our title includes the word ‘walkers,’ this is not intended to preclude those who trot around the course of an organized walk. Some organizers specifically say that competitors must not run, but there can be no real check when most walks go over remote areas and of course when going down a 30% gradient, it is often impossible not to run.”

The LDWA 100-Milers

Formal “challenge events” were established that were up to 100 miles. These trail and cross-country events were marshaled with checkpoints to ensure walkers followed the route. Finish times were published and ordered by finish time. Finishes under a “first-class time” were recognized, but “winners” were not emphasized or awarded. They were not called “races,” but had nearly every attribute of a race. Competitive athletes quickly treated them like races. During 1973, at least 20 ultra-distance trail events were held, supported or publicized by the LDWA.

Sandra Brown (1949-) from England, who by 2020 had finished more than 200 100-milers and dozens of LDWA walks commented, “Some of these LDWA runners and walkers are, year after year, completing 100 miles or more, largely off-road, usually with thousands of feet of climbing over quite remote hills and mountains, and with route-finding on the UK’s quite complex historic footpaths network, in around 24 hours. Events like the LDWA’s annual 100 and other distances (50 miles, 100 km) have since the 1970s been the precursor of today’s popular trail runs.”

Starting in 1973, annual LDWA trail 100-mile events were hosted each year at different locations on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. These trail 100s, could be classified as mountain trail 100s. They were mostly off-road hikes that did not have to walked according to racewalking rules. Running or jogging was permitted, so they were not Centurion walking events. Finish cutoff times for the 100-milers were eventually established at 48 hours. Some elite British ultrarunners would take part running, seeking to be the first to the finish line.

Each walker (or runner) was required to walk with small packs containing certain items, such as the course description, maps, waterproof jacket, clothing layers, hat, gloves, compass, whistle, flashlight, bivi bag, and a first aid kit. Many checkpoints (aid stations) were set up with food and drink between about 5-10 miles apart. At the checkpoints along the course, marshals checked the walkers and could pull out anyone over-fatigued or behind schedule. Medical staff were at checkpoints to evaluate runners and help them fix their feet. All such conventions were devised years before the Americans established their trail 100-milers and aid stations.

The founders of the LDWA were Alan Blatchford (1936-1980), Barbara (Rhodes) Blatchford (1941-) and Chis Steer (1919-1992). Richard “Dick” Crawshaw (1917-1986) was chosen at the first president of the organization. He was a member of parliament and an experienced climber, parachutist, and long-distance walker.

Founder Profile – Alan Blatchford

Alan William Blatchford (1936-1980) was born on August 23, 1936, in Surrey, England. He was employed as an aircraft design engineer and first became interested in walking after seeing a film of the 1948 Olympic Marathon.

The LDWA provided this sketch on Blatchford: “Alan’s first athletic activity was football, but rambling and road running gradually took over and in 1960 he organized the first Tanners Marathon walk. He did many other challenge walks himself and became Centurion number 350 (London to Brighton and Back in 1963).”

He organized other Marathons and by the mid-1960s became interested in orienteering and organized those types of events too. He had goals to walk every long-distance footpath in England and to compete in the London to Brighton race 25 times. By 1973, he had 12 finishes of that historic race.

“Alan decided it would be useful to have a newsletter to give details of such events and thus the LDWA was born. Alan was always clear that the LDWA was for runners as well as walkers but not about racing. Alan continued as an active runner, helped set up the MABAC Fun Run League and initiated and organized the Masters and Maidens Marathon, the first all-comers marathons in the country. He had many other interests, too. He helped coach a local Boy Scouts Cub pack in football and became a football referee. Alan was a sociable and pleasant companion with many friends.”

Blatchford shared his views on endurance walking in 1977. “To many people, walking is still regarded as little more than a method of progressing from bed to the breakfast table, or from car to the office and back. Walking as a recreation may seem absurd to them. When it is discovered that a person is a ‘walker,’ he is often looked upon as some sort of keep-fit-fanatic. Walking for pleasure can assume a great number of variations. On one side of the coin are the competitive types ranging from athletic speed walkers, through the slower, long-suffering Centurions, down to those who enjoy the popular challenge walks. On the other side are local group walkers, occasional weekend ramblers and marchers. Maybe there are relatively few of us who believe we could attain Centurion status, but the completion of most challenge walks is within most people’s scope.”

Founder Profile – Chris Steer

Chris Steer (1919-1992) was from Woking, England. He left school at age 14 and worked in plumbing and heating. From 1940 to 1945 he served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), stationed in Persia (Iran) where he walked the Elburz Mountains and Cyrus where he walked the Kyrenia Range. After World War II, he went into business with his brother in a plumbing and heating contracting firm in Surrey. He married Margaret in 1948 and had three children. “He has always walked but took up eventing about 1968 after seeing a Tanners Marathon poster in a village shop window.” The event was for a 30-miler in ten hours. He met Blatchford, who put on the event and thus started their long association. He was a tall walker, 6’3”. By 1973 Steer averaged 30 miles per week, 1,500 miles a year, and competing in eight events.”

Founder Profile – Barbara Blatchford

Barbara (Rhodes) Blatchford (1941-) was married to Alan Blatchford. In school, her main sporting interest was lacrosse, but on weekends she took part in cycling. While attending Oxford, she was on the ladies’ cycling club and obtained a degree in botany. She became a schoolteacher. She was one of only two walkers that finished the first Tanners Marathon. Despite being very busy raising her children, she remained active in various walking events. She had ambitions to walk in all areas of the British Isles and visit remote places in the world.

First LDWA President – Dick Crawshaw

Richard “Dick” Crawshaw (1917-1986) was the first president of the LDWA. Before he was five years old, he had pneumonia three times, and during one case was in bed for three months. The doctors advised that he be kept away from any activity, but he did the opposite growing up, swimming, climbing and running.

He trained as an engineer in his teens. During World War II, he was a paratrooper. Their motto was, “The impossible is done immediately. Miracles require 24 hours’ notice.” He accomplished his first ultra-long-distance walk in 1956 when he organized a 107-mile walk from Goole to Liverpool in full battle gear while he commanded a parachute battalion.

Crawshaw went on to attend college and became a lawyer. In 1964, he was elected a member of England’s parliament, representing Toxteth. In 1970, at the age of 52, he walked 100 miles in under 24 hours, raising £100 for Toxteth Community Centre. About 100 people accompanied him at some point of his 100-mile walk. He accomplished another 100 miles walk the next year.

In April 1972, at the age of 55, he broke the Guinness Book record for “non-stop walking,” reaching 255.84 miles in 76 hours, 21 minutes, at Ainstree Race Circuit. He ended up with bleeding, bandaged feet and nearly lost two toes. Two months later, he finished another sub-24-hour 100-mile walk at Toxteth’s Sefton Park, during a walking festival. “Mr. Crawshaw said before he started, that his feet were still not right after he broke the world record in April, but he had promised to take part in the Great Walk, and he was determined to do it.” His record was broken in 1973 by Jesus Jesse Castandea (1940-) of Mexico, with 302 miles in 102:59 at the Albuquerque Academy track, in New Mexico, although he took some authorized stops along the way. (The “non-stop” Guinness Book walking/running record continued to be sought after but was always a problem because more and more stops were allowed.)

Crawshaw shared some thoughts about his walks, “I believe that as one gets older, provided one keeps exercising, one becomes fitter. Stamina increases with age, together with the mental ability to face up to challenges which would daunt one at an earlier age. Do a lot of training alone. Set yourself a challenge and never cheat yourself.” He served in parliament until 1984.

The 1973 Downsman 100

In May 1973, the first LDWA cross-country trail 100-mile walk was organized from Winchester to Eastbourne, England, called the Downsman Hundred. “It promises to be the greatest test of endurance for walkers since the John O’Groats to Lands End Walk of 1960.” On that occasion, to walk the length of Great Britain (more than 1,000 miles), more than 3,000 walkers set off. There were 150 finishers, including 25 women.

The event was organized by Blatchford. A four-page event instruction guide with course directions included, “Before descending from hills, check that you are going the right way. In case of retirement, try to get to a checkpoint. In an emergency, phone headquarters at Eastbourne 20291. It is essential that you inform the organizers in case of retirement.” Since all this was new, many requirements were discussed to put on a safe event such as what must be carried in each walker’s kit (pack), the right distance between checkpoints, whether mandatory rest periods would be needed, and if support crews show be encouraged. It is interesting to consider that this was in stark contrast to the first 1977 Western States 100 when checkpoints were very far apart without aid stations and the staff had very little experience knowing what runners would need for a safe event.

Thirteen checkpoints were set up along the way where walkers consumed 300 gallons of drinks, eggs, bacon, sausages, rice, fruit and chocolate. The course climbed about 6,000 feet along the way, up and down the rolling hills of South Downs. For much of the course, they didn’t even go on trails, they went cross-country. For example, “After 4 ½ miles, the track (trail) apparently finishes at a ploughed field but continue on straight across the field. Later cross a grassy field, descending down a hill. If two red lights are visible, make towards these.” There were 125 starters, ages 18-67. Only eight walkers had previously completed a 100-miler. Most had never walked over 50 miles.

Entrants needed to have completed at least a 30-mile walk. One entrant was 64-year-old Harold Martin, a chief car park inspector, of Yeovil, England. He had trained by walking 25 miles every weekend. “I usually spend about four or five hours training on weekends. I find walking keeps me fit. Obviously, I’m not as fast as I was, but my age does not hold me back.”

The Start

The 100-mile walk/run started at noon on May 26, 1973. Chris Steer gave a blast on a whistle from high on the old Winchester city wall to signal the starters to begin. Alan Blatchford, wearing a conspicuous red jacket, was the pilot for the first 20 miles. He led the main group at an average pace for a while to help them navigate the right course. But alas, after four miles, he led the group down the wrong way, ending up at a “keep out” sign. He then led them back to the course and most didn’t even know he made an error. Even though everyone packed rain jackets, they were never needed because of the wonderful weather.

“At checkpoint four (35 miles), they set up a real haven for tired walkers with a bank of beds and chairs from which to partake all manner of delectable foods. This proved too much for some walkers and they succumbed into retirement.” Harold Martin quit at this point after about ten hours.

Stanley Jewell, age 33, a Chorley postman, walked the entire way in his working uniform. Alan Phillips, who had held the 50-mile world record of 5:10 for several years, did not finish the difficult course, quitting at mile 35.

The first finisher was David Rosen (1953-) age 20, from Stanmore, Middlesex, England, with a time of 22:20. He was the first in the world to finish a modern-era 100-mile trail race in under 24 hours. Rosen went on to finish London to Brighton (52 miles) 22 times, his last in 1996.

Peter Dawes, age 34, (1938-2018) of Ambleside, Westmoreland, England, also finished under 24 hours with a time of 23:30. In all, 65 runners finished within 48 hours and 57 quit along the way. Three of the seven women finished. Dianne Yvonne Pegg (1941-2012), of Chatham, was the first woman finisher in 34:30.

Race director Blatchford said, “I think this is the longest properly organized cross-country walk ever held in Britain. Although there have been many races of the same distance on the road, I believe the Downsman Hundred is the first event of this distance to be held over a cross-country course. It is a very complex thing to get the right people at the right place, at the right time.”

A long survey was sent out to the participants of this first trail 100-miler. The chief causes for retirements (DNFs) were blistered feet and the effects of hot weather. Among all participants, an equal number wore boots vs. shoes. Many treated their feet with talc and Vaseline. A few did preventative taping with stretch cloth tape. Very few had ever walked 100 miles, but half had reached 50 miles before. The majority of participants did not have a support crew meeting them at checkpoints. The most popular drink was tea with orange juice a close second. “A lot of walkers reported that they felt some ill effects including sore or swollen feet, hallucinations, nausea, sunburn, thirst, stiffness, etc.”

Stewart Dutfield (1955-) was there and shared these memories. “Alan Blatchford and Chris Steer both have places named after them along the North Downs Way. From the event report: ‘Now that the barrier is down, perhaps we may see this inaugural ultra-long-distance walk as the forerunner of many more.’ Every ultrarunner, usually more than once, has stood at the start line of something bigger than they have ever done before. On that morning in Winchester, 125 starters were taking that leap into the unknown. I shall never forget what it was like to be there.”

On August 11-12, 1973, another version of the Downsman Hundred was held for the organizers and helpers who put on the original race. Chris Steer led the walk. Four finished. With the success of the Downsman Hundred, some wondered if a “super, super-walk” of nearly 200 miles would soon be organized.

The 1974 Peakland 100

On May 25-27, 1974, the Peakland Hundred was held. A circular course was used in the “Peak District” organized by the High Peak Group over the peat bogs of Derbyshire, led by Dick Chell.

Before the event, contestants gathered at the Village Hall in Hayfield, England, where their equipment was inspected, and they were given checkpoint cards that would be stamped upon arrival at each checkpoint. “All checkpoints will be able to supply water or orange squash. Tea, soup, bread, glucose and salt tables will be available at most checkpoints.” Other checkpoints provided tinned fruit, rice pudding, sandwiches and chocolate. They certainly understood what runners would like at aid stations. Drop bags were collected and delivered to one of the checkpoints. “Entrants without a support party should ensure they will have sufficient warm clothing, emergency rations, torch and spare batteries.”

The course was not marked, but each entrant received very detailed directions to navigate the course. The event started at noon. It was a great day weather-wise, with a moderate temperature and partly cloudy skies. There were 74 starters. “The first half-mile was along a rising road from the town and about a dozen super optimists were soon running at a pace that would surely see them home by midnight. Soon the route climbed away from civilization and out over the moors, forcing all to assume a more judicious pace. Due to the prolonged lack of rain, the normally strength-sapping squelchy bogs were remarkably dry, and some stretches were crusted over, thus giving good footing.”

Michael Gregson recalled, “Eleven miles remained, no problems on the next section until we had to find the bridge across the Goyt with no energy to squander looking for it. ‘Ask at that house,’ I suggested, knowing there wouldn’t be anyone in. Wrong, there appeared a most attractive girl who gave detailed instructions, then recognized us as imbeciles and escorted us to the bridge.” After getting lost a couple more times, he finally made it to the finish at Hayfield Village Hall. “I collapsed into a chair, surrounded by helpers offering food and drink. I felt in need of a wash, but it was too far to the sink. A first aid man gently removed boots and socks. The final act of the hundred was the agonizing ascent to the loft of the hall–ten steps of ten seconds each.” He drove back to London with the radio blasting out to keep him away. “‘Do anything over the Bank Holiday?’ asked a colleague at work the next day as I staggered down the corridor. ‘Well, yes, as a matter of fact….’”

33 finished. The first finisher was Peter Dawes (1938-2018) with an impressive time of 19:13. David Rosen (1953-) finished second with 20:34. These two were also the first two finishers in the inaugural LDWA 100-miler in 1973. Alan Blatchford, showing his running skills, finished third with 20:45.

1975 Downsman 100

There were more than 500 enquiries received and 230 entries were accepted for the third LDWA 100, and the second running on this undulating cross-country point-to-point course from Winchester to Eastbourne, England, with 26 hills. Besides all the Brits, a small contingent from Holland and Belgium took part. The “first-class time” was set at finishing in 32 hours or sooner. The standard time limit was 48 hours, and the cutoff time was set to 50 hours. Finishers would be awarded a Downsman cloth badge and a commemorative certificate. The entry fee was only £3.

Philip John Storor (1951-2001), a 24-year-old high school physical education teacher from Hinckley, England, was sponsored by his students to take part in the event to raise money for outdoor sports equipment. He had already run in a 50-mile race and won a 20-mile race. Leading up to the 100-miler, he ran a total of 150 miles. “He was grateful to one Coventry Road resident who administered first aid to him when he had a ‘double barrel’ nosebleed during one of his evening training runs. Mr. Storor hopes to complete the distance in 20 hours.”

Two hundred athletes showed up at the start line on May 24, 1975. The weather was cold, and a heavy downpour of rain hit some of the field. Race Director Alan Blatchford (1936-1980) reported, “A number of the more experienced leaders went adrift in the later stages, but our last finisher claimed to have gone the furthest out of the way, to the tune of 20 miles. The Steyning Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade spent many hours repairing walkers’ feet so that they might resume battle.”

Despite the challenges, 125 walkers and runners finished, a record at the time for finishers in a 100-mile race. Storor quit after 43 miles. Eleven women finished. Eleven men finished in under 24 hours. John Offley (1939-2020) of Richmond, Surrey, England, was the first finisher with a time of 18:58. He was running so fast that several of the final check points were not ready for him. David Rosen (1953-) finished second with some navigation problems near the end, with a time of 20:05, claiming his third top-two finish in all three of the LDWA 100-milers so far. Dianne Pegg was again the first lady finisher, with a time of 29:47.

“The goal of completing the magic 100 miles is capturing the imagination of more and more walkers as they realize that an almost impossible task is within their reach.” With the popularity growing, they predicted that a lottery would be needed in the future.

The 1976 Cleveland 100

The 1976 Cleveland 100 along the Cleveland Way National Long Distance Footpath in North Yorkshire, England, was the fourth annual trail 100-miler put on by LDWA in England. That year, it was organized by Peter J. Sleightholme (1937-) of Bradshaw, England, and was held on May 29-31, 1976, with 200 starters. The route was point-to-point from Scarborough to Malton, England. The race director was not pleased with those who wanted to run instead of walk, fearing for their safety, not understanding how much more fit and prepared they were than the walkers. He even wanted participants to group together at night for safety. Several of the 16 checkpoints that year included ham radio coverage.

The route was truly rugged, and at times there was no trail. “After passing through a gap in the stone wall, bear diagonally left across the pasture to find a wooden footbridge over the beck. Go straight up the hillside and cross the ridge track. Carry on up the hillside and after a half mile on this bearing, pick up track on the moor top marked with a series of posts.”

About the race, Tony Cresswell, on the event committee said, “We really scored for bad weather. Conditions were severe for walkers and for the checkpoint staff. The entrants were the most experienced and strongest bunch ever to assemble for any walk of comparable toughness and duration. Because of the dreadful weather, only 70 made it to Malton within 48 hours. Another 13 were brought in by the sweeper.”

A participant said, “Everyone was dropping out because of the bad conditions. We were walking in torrential rain for about 12 or 13 hours, and this meant we had to battle through thick mud all the time.”

Peter Dawes was the first finisher with a time of 24:14. It was his second LDWA 100-miler win. David Rosen again finished in second place with 25:10. Five finishers had finished all of the first four LDWA 100s, including Tom Beattie of Kettering, Roger Cole (1938-2022), of Dunstable, David Rosen, of Stanmore, Gordon Smith of Wellingborough, and Dianne Pegg, of Chatham.

Sleightholme reported, “On the Tuesday after the walk, I visited some of the farmers and residents on the route. I found admiration for the conduct of the walkers and the checkpoint staff. I could not answer the question, ‘Why do they do it.’”

There was some pressure among LDWA members on the leadership to be more accepting to those who wished to run. Roger Cole, wrote in early 1976, “We are mainly in the Association because we like a challenge, and having completed a long-distance walk, will enter again to do it faster the next time. This is how I got into jogging. On the first Downsman I walked all the way and so the next time I had to jog some of the way to see if I could be faster. I find jogging more economical of energy, especially when gravity assists downhill. However, I know a lot of walkers who could cover the distance quicker than I could when jogging. I believe that the majority of the walkers like to see their finishing position even though each event is basically an individual challenge, not to beat the other fellow.” Others were proponents of establishing a maximum walking pace to weed out the runners. But the majority seemed to agree, “People tend to do their own thing, which is what matters.”

Roger Cole went on to finish all of the first 41 LDWA 100-milers. “After the first event, the 1973 Downsman, when he walked in heavy leather boots and carried a large rucksack, he vowed never to do another one but was back with lighter weight walking gear the next year and the rest was history. His final 100 was in 2014, with deteriorating eyesight, he finished with his son and received a standing ovation. He passed away in 2022.

The 1977 Downsman Hundred

By 1977, the LDWA 100-mile events were well established. On June 4, 1977, the fifth annual 100-miler was held, hosted at Downsman Hundred for the third time. Sketched maps were provided for certain sections, although Ordnance Survey maps were still encouraged to be used.

All entrants had to have completed at least one 30-mile walk recently and nearly 100 had previously completed a 100-miler. A “runner’s start” wave was implemented for the first time to let the walkers get on the trail first. There were 251 starters, including 15 women, making it the largest LDWA 100-miler to date.

LDWA co-founders Alan Blatchford and Chris Steer walked in the event, thanks to Barbara Blatchford, who took over many administrative duties. Alan described the start, “The starting arrangements for the walkers went very well and lacked the previous chaos in the youth hostel. Just before noon, I performed the duty of the starter. In brilliant sunshine, nearly 200 people, with ages ranging from 18 to 72, set off eastwards to attempt to reach Eastbourne within 48 hours. Six hours later, two dozen ‘runners’ were set off, all optimistically expecting to complete the same course, but in a rather shorter time. Many of the leading walkers became joggers and thus arrived too early at a few checkpoints, with the result of having to wait until opening time.”

Soon after dark, the leading runners began to pass the back-of-the-pack walkers. The checkpoint at Coking, in the dark, was described as “reminiscent of a Hogarth picture, with lanterns lighting the barn and walkers either resting in straw or ravenously eating food.” At other checkpoints, the participants could take refuge in athletic clubs and enjoy a hot meal. A nearly full moon made navigation on the course a bit easier during the night until a steady drizzle set in until dawn.

A strange event took place when setting up Checkpoint 9, at Ditchling, reported by Bob Ball. “We made our way up onto the checkpoint. On arrival, we were greeted out of the dark by ‘Rent-a Mob’, all armed to the teeth with pickaxe handles. This unexpected reception turned out to be a guard for the Jubilee Beacon that we were to share our checkpoint location with over the weekend. Once satisfied that our intentions were in the very least harmless, we became quite friendly neighbours.”

Blatchford reported, “At the finish, the first to complete the long journey were two of the noon starters, who finished the job in just under a day. An hour later, came the first of the runners and then it was a steady procession of arrivals until just before midday on Monday.”

Boyd Millen, of Keswick, Cumbria, England, and Keith Arnold, of Wareham, Dorset, England, finished first in 18:31, for a LDWA 100-miler record. There were eight other runners who finished in under 24 hours. In all, there were 143 finishers, including eight women, with a 67% finish rate. The oldest finisher was Bill Stirling, age 69, of Romford, Essex, England, with a time of 43:07. Walkers had an average age of 39.4, while runners averaged 36.6 years.

The 1978 Cleveland Hundred

On May 27-29, 1978, the Cleveland Hundred and held again. It was recognized as being the toughest LDWA 100 up to that point, not only because the course was tough but also the weather was usually severe in that region. Fewer walkers showed up than usual, but there were still 212 starters, including 26 runners. To put on the event, required well over 100 volunteers and the cooperation from various agencies.

There were sixteen checkpoints along the way, including one major rest stop at mile 64, Fangdale Beck. Times were meticulously recorded for each participant. Many walkers, in over their heads, did “retire” along the way. There were several very difficult sections.

At the major rest stop at Fangdale Beck, mile 64, walkers were not allowed to stay there for more than two hours and all who arrived there met that cutoff. The first finishers were Roger Baumeister and Brian Harney who came in at 21:16, both members of the Dark Peak Fell Runners. Frank Thomas was third with 22:44. The first walker and 11^th overall was Martyn Greaves in 31:32. In all, 111 runners/walkers reached 100 miles, the last arriving at 47:14.

One walker, Peter Parker, wrote a letter of thanks to the LDWA staff that included, “The pains have left my feet and I’m writing to tell you how very much I enjoyed this year’s Cleveland Hundred. As I climbed up Baysdale, I was aware of a feeling of supreme happiness. I cannot ever recall such blessedness as in the superb dawn in that beautiful place. For me, C100 1978 will have the fondest memories in my life, and I want to thank you and your team for making them possible.”

The 1979 Dartmoor Hundred

In 1979, the LDWA 100-miler was at Dartmoor, England. A record 275 runners and walkers entered. A ten-page booklet of directions for the giant loop course, including compass readings, was given to the entrants.

“After a slight delay waiting for the Deputy Lord Mayor, the walkers were loaded onto the double deck buses for transportation to the start at Cadover Bridge several miles away. The steady drizzle and mist looked a little ominous, and just about everyone donned full rain gear. Once out of the buses, the gaudily clothed crowd listened to a few words of advice from the starter and then at 12:15 p.m. they set off on a giant anti-clockwise circuit of the Moor.”

Things didn’t start out smoothly as the crowd went a bit off course on the first hill and then screeched to a stop at a water-filled trench of unknown depth. “Where the bridge mentioned in the route notes was, nobody knew. After various sorties to left and right, long jumping skills were tested with the result that most people prematurely wetted either one foot or both or, in some cases, a more extensive area.”

Gradually, the walkers were strung out over many miles. After only ten miles, some quit. “As darkness approached, the number of retirements increased. Fortunately, the rain had ceased and, apart from two heavy showers that had caught some of the backmarkers, the weather was ideal for such an epic journey. Well before halfway, the leading runners, who had started six hours after the walkers, began to pass the slower midday-starters.”

Navigation problems were many. “At one stage, about twenty walkers were struggling through bog and tussock grass, searching in vain for the path alongside the River Plym. Eventually, some decided to bed down until daylight. Others thrashed about in aimless circles, and a few went on to find the ford to Cadover Bridge.”

“Back at the finish, Don and Barbara Allen stood by to greet the first arrivals with a well-earned meal. Heading the long and well-spread-out line of finishers was 52-year-old Ernie Bishop from Tonbridge, Kent. He started out with the walkers but confessed to jogging a bit of the way. His time of 25:37 was a remarkably good performance. Next to complete the journey were the two leading runners, Keith Arnold and Roger Baumeister.” They finished in 20:30. About a half hour later, the first walkers arrived with a total time of 27:11. Three other runners finished in less than 24 hours.

“That it was a physically tough course, there can be little doubt when one realizes that one out of every two starters failed to finish. It must be mentioned that about half the retirements came from one overall group, the Royal Air Force, whose members were perhaps not quite prepared for the rugged terrain.” But there were also some veteran 100-milers, including four who had seven LDWA 100 finishes. The oldest finisher was 69, and the youngest was about 19.

Death of Alan Blatchford

In 1976, after a checkup, a doctor told Alan Blatchford that he would live forever. The walking world was shocked when he died unexpectedly at the age of 44 in 1980. After his death, some of his friends got together and collected donations for a suitable memorial. The money raised was given to the National Trust to clear and fence an area of downland, for sheep grazing, and to be called Blatchford Down.

LDWA Into the Future

In 2022, the LDWA celebrated 50 years. The LDWA Hundred has continued annually to the present day with up to 500 participants each year and an average finish rate of 70%. It is the oldest 100-mile annual series in the world. Only two years were canceled, 2001, because of foot and mouth disease in the countryside, and in 2020 because of COVID-19. The 2023 Elephant Bear & Bull 100 was their 48th 100-miler. During that event, Leonard Fallick (1943-), age 79, finished his 41st LDWA 100, tying Roger Cole (1938-2022) for the most ever. Len’s first finish came in 1976. The only other person in the 40-finish club is Martyn Greaves (1956-2021).

Steve Charleston (1956-) gave a recent description of LDWA events, “The routes are always off-road and mainly by narrative instruction, so you can easily get lost and end up doing an extra 5 miles or more. A lot of the checkpoints are in church halls, village halls and ancient sports pavilions – a step back in time to the 1950’s! You get fed at the checkpoints with sandwiches, cakes etc and at the end you get a hot meal. Membership is cheap and the challenge events are less than £20. I’ve used these events for ultra training for nearly 30 years and can’t recommend the LDWA highly enough. Great fun – try it out!”

This LDWA history is included in the new books: Running 100 Miles Part Two: A History (1961-1976) and Running 100 Miles Part Three: A History (1977-1979)

146: The Early LDWA 100-Milers (1973-1979)