Posts Tagged ‘Ultrahistory’
It seems in the late 1800’s , it was not uncommon for people to attempt the walk around the world.
Here is another one that was recorded in the West Australian on the 17 Nov 1898.
Tags: Australia, Pedestrianism, Ultrahistory, Ultrawalking
From the West Australian 22 July 1889
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Tags: Australia, Ultrahistory
From the Argus in 1945
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Tags: Australia, Ultrahistory, Ultrawalking
JOHN BOYD FODEN – Per Ardua Ad Astra
Most people in the Ultra world will have heard of John Foden and his contribution to the sport in Europe and England. John’s biggest claim to fame is the starting of the Spartathlon race. It wasn’t until late last year that I was to learn that John in fact is Australian, he was a member of the RAAF and his contribution to the sport runs much deeper and on many levels.
John is this quarter’s nomination into the AURA Hall of Fame. Rather than rewriting his story, his resume is published here. Reading his resume you will be fascinated by the life that he has led and will see that he is a worthwhile recipient into the AURA Hall of Fame.
John, we salute and thankyou for your contribution to the sport.
Outline of Life
John Foden was borne 7th May 1926 and was educated at Melboune Church of England Grammar School. As an adult he gained a BA (Hons) at the Open University.
Initially he enlisted in 1944 in the Royal Australian Air Force as a trainee pilot, but decided he preferred being a soldier. He was commissioned into the Rajutana Rifles, Imperial Indian Army. When India became independent he obtained a commission in the RAF Regiment in the UK, serving in Kurdistan (insurgency), Hong Kong (civil unrest), Korea (war), Cyprus (rebellion), Suez (invasion), Malaya (rebellion), Aden (insurgency), Oman (insurgency), Cyprus (Turkish invasion), Northern Ireland (civil unrest) and Germany (NATO0. He retired as a Wing Commander in 1984. He then concentrated on sport.
Early Sporting Activities
Australian Rules, boxing and rowing at school.
Polo in Indian Army
Athletics, Military Pentathlon, Rally Driving, Sailing Lasers (RAF Team), Skiing (RAF Team), Subaqua Diving, Surfing and Go Kart Racing
Athletic Achievements
A few of his competitive successes are listed first to show the experience that supports management activity. All records have since been passed by others.
1981 Silver medal for marathon (2:54:45) in over 50 age group at World Veteran Games, Christchurch, New Zealand.
1982 With Flight Lieutenant J Scholtens was the first person since 492BC to run from Athens to Sparta in two days, thus demonstrating that Herodus¹ Histories were not a myth.
1982 1st in over 55 age group at German 100 Kms Championships at Unna (9:10:41).
1983 Gold medals in over 55 age group for marathon (3:08:57) and cross country at World Veteran Games, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA.
1984 1st in over 55 age group at Bremen Marathon.
1985 Set Commonwealth Over 60 Record of 10:40:10 for 100 Kms at Rodenbach, in the combined German and International 100 Kms Championships. 1st British male skier to complete World Loppet (cross country ski ultramarathons)
1986 1st over 60 and thus setting British Male Over 60 Record of 111.7 miles for 24 Hours at RAF Cranwell.
1990 First over 60 at IAU World 100 Kms Championships, Duluth, USA.
1991 3rd over 65 setting British Record of 11:25:17 at IAU World 100 Kms Championships, Winschoten, Holland .
1993 1st over 65 at World Trail Running (80 miles) Championships, South Downs.
1994 1st over 65 at World Trail Running (80 miles) Championships, South Downs. Participant in the Irish Peace 105 Miles Run from Belfast to Dublin.
1995 1st over 65 Malta Marathon (3:32:59).
1997 .1st over 70 May Day 15 Miles.
1999 Awarded Certificate of Honour by Irish Ultrarunners Union in recognition of his support of Irish athletics and peace campaign. Awarded United Nations¹ ³Year of the Older Person² Certificate.
2005 He was the oldest participant in the 300 kms Haervejsvandring Walk from Schleswig in Germany to Viborg in North Denmark in seven days.
Service to the Community as an Athletic Organiser
1982 Organised and led RAF Spartathlon Expedition to Greece. First to run 157 miles over the mountainous route from Athens to Sparta (in 36:58:30) since Pheidippides in 492 BC. Previously this had been consideredd a myth.
1983 Proposer and joint race director of 1st International Spartathlon Race. Subsequently the race promoter.
1984 Race director of Rhiendahlen International 25 Kms Race, Germany. 11,500 competitors.
1988 Race director Heritage Races, Nottingham.
1988 Race director Heritage Races, Nottingham.
1989 Race director RRC 24 Hour Indoor Race Milton Keynes Race director 1st National (AAA) 100 Kms Championships, Holme Pierrepont. Race director Interprint 12 Hour Race, Harvey Hadden Stadium, Nottingham.
Consultant 6th International Spartathlon Race, Greece. Secretary RRC Ultra Distance Running Committee for next ten years.
1990 Race director 1st International 24 Hours Indoor Championships, Milton Keynes. Race director 2nd National (AAA) 100 Kms Championships, Holme Pierrepont. Race director 1st Rushcliffe 100 Kms Relay Race, Holme Pierrepont. Secretary Nottinghamshire AAA.
1991 Race director 3rd National (AAA) 100 Kms Championships, Hole Pierrepont. Race director 2nd Rushcliffe 100 Kms Relay Race, Holme Pierrepont. Joint founder of Trail Running Association and committee member from now on. Member of Midlands Counties AA Road Running Committee for next 15 years. Member of Nottinghamshire AAA Road Running Committee for next 12 years. Secretary Nottinghamshire AAA Road Race League for next 3 years.
1992 Race director 1st British (BAF) 100 Kms Championships, Holme Pierrepont. Race director 3rd Rushcliffe 100 Kms Relay Race, Holme Pierrepont.
1993 Race director 2nd British (BAF) 100 Kms Championships, Holme Pierrepont. Race director 4th Rushcliffe 100 Kms Relay Race, Holme Pierrepont . Race director 1st Rushcliffe 10 Kms Trail Race, Ruddington. Consultant 11th International Spartathlon Race.
1994 Race director 3rd British (BAF) 100 Kms Championships, Holme Pierrepont. Race director 5th Rushcliffe 100 Kms Relay Race, Holme Pierrepont. Joint promoter of the Irish Peace 105 Miles Run from Belfast to Dublin. Joint Promoter 12th International Spartathlon Race, Greece and one of its delegates to IOC and Greek Olympic Committee for the race to be included in the Athens 2000 Olympics. (Atlanta got the Olympics.) Chairman Trail Running Association for next 6 years. Chairman Nottinghamshire AAA Road Race League for next 3 years.
1995 Founder and promoter Anglo Celtic 100 Kms Plate, Holme Pierrepont. Race director 4th British (BAF) 100 Kms Championships, Holme Pierrepont. Race director 6th Rushcliffe 100 Kms Relay Race, Holme Pierrepont. Consultant 12th Spartathlon International Race, Greece. Joint Promoter of Irish Peace Run from Belfast to Dublin. Editor ³Trailrunner². Editor ³RRC & TRA Endurance Running Directory² for next 6 years except in 2000.
1996 Joint Promoter of Irish Peace Run from Belfast to Dublin. Proposer Sacred (425 Kms) Relay, Greece. (Project failed to get enough sponsors.) Consultant 13th Spartathlon International Race, Greece.
1997 Joint promoter Spartathlon International Race and delegate for it to be Exhibition event at 2004 Athens Olympiad. Proposer and author of BAFŒs bid for 100 Kms race at Olympics. Proposer and author of AAA of England¹s bid for 100 Kms race at Commonwealth Games. Founder and Promoter of Anglo Celtic Ladies 100 Kms Plate at Edinburg. Proposer of a British Trail Running Championships
1998 Bid for 100 Kms Race in Commonwealth Games turned down by Federation at Kuala Lumpur, but a Commonwealth 100 Kms Championships authorised. Founder and race director of 1st British (BAF) Trail Running (26 & 8 miles). Championships, Cotgrave. Promoter Anglo Celic 100 Kms Plates. Promoter International Spartathlon Race Greece
1999 Director 1st UK Trail Running (26 & 9 miles) Championships, Cotgrave. Promoter Anglo Cltic 100 Kms Plates.,Cardif. Promoter International Spartathlon Race, Greece.
2000 Director 2nd UK Trail Running (44, 26 & 9 miles) Championships. President of TRA from until 2006. Promoter Anglo Cltic 100 Kms Plates, Dublin. Promoter International Spartathlon Race, Greece.
2001 Chairman of Road Runners Club. Author of ³A Guide for Organising Trail Races². Promoter Anglo Cltic 100 Kms Plates, England. Promoter International Spartathlon Race, Greece.
2002 Director renamed UK Trail Runnig Championships. Proposer and Designate Director Commonwealth 100 Kms Championships
Director 100 Mile Race at Christall Palace National Sports entre. New World 150 Km and 100 Mile Records set by visiting Russians
2006 Having reached his 80th birthday resigned as chairman of the Trail Running Association, chairmam of Rod Runners Club, Member of Midlands Counties Road Running Commitee and desifgnate direxctor of the the Commonwealth 100 Kms Championships. But continues to be promoterof International Spartathlon and Anglo Celtic 100 Kms Plates and becomes presiden of the TRA.Promoter Anglo Cltic 100 Kms Plates, Dublin. Promoter International Spartathlon Race, Greece.
Tags: England, Ultrahistory
Where is She Now?: Chasing down Ultrarunning’s Lady Pioneers
by
Siri Terjesen
This is the second edition of updated profiles of pioneering lady ultrarunners from all over the world. Join us as we chase down terrific runners from Japan, the US & the UK. . . we find an FBI agent, an entrepreneur, an HR manager and nuclear radiation scientist and policy-maker.
Tomoe Abe: Tomoe surprised the ultradistance world by setting a new ladies 100K world record of 6:33:11 on June 25, 2000, in Lake Saroma, Japan. She had previously won the World Marathon Championships in 1993 and the Osaka International Ladies Marathon in 1994. Since that amazing day in 2000, little has been heard of Tomoe. Souhei Kobayashi, organizer of the 2005 World 100K, was wonderful to help us locate, interview and translate for Tomoe Abe.
Tomoe recalls when she first started running, “When I was ten years old, I won the running race in the girl’s category of my primary school. At that time I felt that running was very exciting and I decided to become a marathon runner in the future. I started running full scale when I was 12 years old and in middle school. Before this time, I sometimes ran relay races and played other sports.”
She reflects on her decision to run an ultra, “In the year 2000, I ran the Osaka International Ladies Marathon in 2:28:01 and then three weeks later I ran the Senshu International Citizen Marathon in 2:29:09. After that, I wondered how much stamina I could keep up during the race. At that time, the coach of the running club of my company, Director So of the Asahi Kasei corporation, asked me ‘Would you like to run an ultramarathon?’ I didn’t hesitate for a moment—I said ‘yes, I’d like to run an ultramarathon.’”
When asked how it felt to set the 100K world record, Tomoe shared, “I am quite surprised by how fast I was able to keep running at that time! It was a very challenging goal to try to set a new world record and to keep an even pace. I am so glad that I attained my goal. I know that someday someone will break my record, but I am very proud of having set it.”
Tomoe is close to her father, mother and sister, but lives on her own. She works in the Payroll Services Department of the Human Resource Division of Asahi Kasei Corporation. She is a clerk and is involved in calculating salaries and compensations and handling documents related to the employees’ salaries. Tomoe continues to participate as a guest runner in fun races all over Japan. She says that now she “runs only for fun,” and that the distances range from ‘very short’ to a full marathon. Tomoe reports that, “at least in the meantime, I don’t have any plans to run any ‘serious’ races, including an ultramarathon.”
Donna Aycoth: Donna, originally from Hagerstown, Maryland, was the first ladies champion of the JFK 50 Mile, a race in which she racked up eight total victories. Donna started running while a student at Shephard College in Shephardstown, West Virginia. Donna remembers the early days for women athletes, “They didn’t allow women to run except for the 1500 meters. When I was going to college, I trained with the guys. But they were getting four year scholarships and I had to work my way through. I met Buzz Sawyer who asked me to join a track club in Hagerstown, Maryland, which was all male. At the Hagerstown YMCA, they allowed women to come in on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9pm, and they had an indoor track where I used to run. Buzz trained me and put me on the JFK 50 miler. It’s a beautiful course, running the Appalachian Trail and the canal.” Donna recalls her last ultra, “The last race I ran was when my mom was waiting for me at the finish line. We didn’t know it at the time, but she was sick. She had been misdiagnosed and by the time they diagnosed her properly, she died in 2 months. The very last JFK 50 miler, she crossed the line with me. After she died, that was it. I didn’t want to run it without her.”
Donna was a state police state trooper in Maryland from 1975-1978, mostly in Frederick; and then in 1978 she joined the FBI as a special agent, retiring in November 2004. In the FBI, she worked for 4 ½ years in Pittsburgh and 23 years in New York City, during which she ran the New York marathon. Donna recalls that the demands of her career limited her running, “When I was working with the bureau, I didn’t have the time to train. It just got crazy, especially in New York. It was not conducive to training. I trained to keep in shape, but not what you needed to compete.” Donna worked with the FBI in NYC before and after September 11th. Donna still runs but says “I don’t compete. I am just running to run.” She also reports being “heavily into cycling” and would like to do cross-country trips and also start lifting. Donna enjoys living near where she grew up and is very close to her father, brother, sister, uncle and nephew.
Judy Ikenberry: Judy’s race victories include the first US Marathon championship in 1974 and the US 50 mile championship in 1977. She also finished 5th in the half-mile in the Olympic Trials in Texas in 1960 and has completed the 166 mile Capital to Capital (Carson City to Sacramento) race twice.
Judy started running at age 13 in 1956 in a community outside Los Angeles with a girlfriend named Karen. Karen’s mother had been an athlete in Germany and encouraged the girls. By 1959, Judy’s mother thought sought a coach for her daughter. Judy recalls, “One of her good friends had a son in college who had a roommate named Dennis who ran. And he said ‘sure, why not?’ I have known him for 46 years and we have been married for now over 40.” Judy graduated from UC Riverside in 1965 with a degree in Math and a minor in Physics and got a secondary teaching credential (a year of graduate school) the following year. She taught high school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry for five years. In 1979, together with Dennis, she founded Race Central, a race timing company which now has seven employees. Race Central ties events such as PF Chang’s Rock & Roll Marathon and the Carlsbad 5000. Judy continued to compete throughout the 1980s but an aggravated knee forced her to stop running in 1996. She is an avid cyclist and also reports “some very good cardio workouts living up here in the mountains at 5000 feet.” Judy has three children (Richard, Shelly & Becky) and four grandchildren. Of her grandchildren, Judy reflects, “Being a grandmother has been just such a revelation. I had done all this stuff—national championships and international teams—but actually having grandchildren is the most incredible.” Every December, Judy makes 75 gingerbread houses for family and friends.
Hilary Walker: London-based Hilary Walker[1] has held seven world records, of which the 150km and 200 mile track are still on the books. Hilary was the first lady to go under 15 hours for both the 100 mile road and track, both in 1988. Now age 51, Hilary is still running, and has completed over 130 marathons, 130 ultramarathons on road/track and 50 off-road events. Hilary began running in May 1983 as she said she felt quite fit after a trek to the Himalayas. Two years later, she ran her first ultra—a 24 hour race.
Hilary completed an undergraduate degree in zoology (Bristol), and a Masters and PhD in radiation biology at the University of London. For two decades, Hilary has balanced her ultrarunning with her career as a medical researcher and later a senior civil servant heading a group that deals with toxicology, radiation and public health. Her responsibilities include forming UK public health policy on nuclear discharges, mobile phones, power lines, sunlight and other types of radiation. She also inspects medical radiological facilities and helps with preparedness for terrorist incidents involving chemical, radiological or nuclear weapons. Hilary still runs 20-70 miles per week and reports that she is now competing in ultramarathons “just for fun.” She is very excited about triathlons and has just purchased a new bike and learned to swim freestyle using the total immersion methods. Hilary is also very active in the national and international ultrarunning bodies, as General Secretary of the IAU and secretary of the UK Athletics’ Road Running Policy & Support team. She is a past President of the Road Runners Club (which stages the London-Brighton race) and a president of the Serpentine Running Club, the largest running club in the UK. The club is based in London’s Hyde Park, which is about a half mile jog north of her home.
[1] I met Hilary Walker at my first marathon in the UK, the 26-lap Sri Chimnoy held September 16, 2001 in Battersea Park, London. We chatted in the early stages of the race. I was especially curious about why she was running this 26-lap race with a mobile phone strapped to her shorts. Surely she could just leave her mobile with a friend and pick up any important calls at the mile checkpoint/drinks station? Hilary informed me that this was not possible as her job in the government required her to be on call in case of a terrorist incident happening in London or the UK, as had sadly taken place in New York just five days prior. While I tried, in vain, to keep up with this quick Brit in a red and yellow Serpentine Club vest, a male runner jogged alongside and told me this might prove fruitless as she had held many world records for ultramarathons. ‘What’s an ultramarathon?’ I asked him. Sure enough, at 15 miles, Hilary turned to me and said, ‘This is about where I start to get comfortable.’ She went on to win in 3:13.
Tags: Add new tag, Ultrahistory