Centurion (racewalking)
Encyclopedia
The Brotherhood of Centurions is a club
for which racewalkers are eligible who have completed a distance of 100 miles (160.9 km) in Britain
within 24 hours. Its name derives from a popular title from those competitors achieving the feat in the 19th century British long-distance walking sport, called Pedestrianism
.
Pedestrianism was to be a popular spectator sport during the 18th and 19th centuries, as equestrianism
still is, and bicycle racing
became afterwards. Among the most famous professional pedestrians of that time was Robert Barclay Allardice
, who completed one mile (1.6 km) in each of 1000 sequential hours.
In 1911, the Centurion title was set up as an award for amateur racewalkers. The first number was awarded to James Edwin Fowler-Dixon for a performance in London
in 1877, and who was also elected the first president. Since 1902, 100 miles (160.9 km) racewalks were performed on a regular base. Centurion qualifying races are held annually in the United Kingdom
and the Isle of Man
, generally on roads. In addition to the British Centurions, Centurion clubs with their own qualifying races exist in the Netherlands, the United States
, Australia
, New Zealand
, and Malaysia.
Club
A club is an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to hobbies and sports, social activities clubs, political and religious clubs, and so forth.- History...
for which racewalkers are eligible who have completed a distance of 100 miles (160.9 km) in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
within 24 hours. Its name derives from a popular title from those competitors achieving the feat in the 19th century British long-distance walking sport, called Pedestrianism
Pedestrianism
Pedestrianism was a 19th-century form of competitive walking, often professional and funded by wagering, from which the modern sport of racewalking developed.-18th- and early 19th-century Britain:...
.
Pedestrianism was to be a popular spectator sport during the 18th and 19th centuries, as equestrianism
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
still is, and bicycle racing
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
became afterwards. Among the most famous professional pedestrians of that time was Robert Barclay Allardice
Robert Barclay Allardice
Robert Barclay Allardice , the 6th Laird of Ury, generally known as Captain Barclay, was a notable Scottish walker of the early 19th century, known as the celebrated pedestrian. His most famous feat was the walking of in 1000 hours for 1000 guineas in 1809...
, who completed one mile (1.6 km) in each of 1000 sequential hours.
In 1911, the Centurion title was set up as an award for amateur racewalkers. The first number was awarded to James Edwin Fowler-Dixon for a performance in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1877, and who was also elected the first president. Since 1902, 100 miles (160.9 km) racewalks were performed on a regular base. Centurion qualifying races are held annually in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
, generally on roads. In addition to the British Centurions, Centurion clubs with their own qualifying races exist in the Netherlands, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and Malaysia.
External links
- British Centurions Website
- Dutch Centurions Website Centurion Vereniging Nederland
- Centurions USA Website
- Australian Centurions Website
- New Zealand Centurions Website