Issue 803 - April 2010 - Race Walk UK

and European Masters events. He was veryproud of his medals!A successful self-made businessman, hewill be remembered as an enthusiasticathlete, coach and organiser as well as areal character, not forgetting his famouswhiskers!We offer our sincere condolences to his wifeand family.Denis Withers 1927-2009From Eric HorwillMasters Athletics has lost one of it's bestknown and popular stalwarts who wasinvolved as a successful competitve athlete,a technical official, an administrator, as wellas an event organiser.As an athlete, Denis began his career as asprinter with Smethwick Harriers. Hecompeted for Harborne Harriers, HalesowenAC (he was a life member), and BirchfieldHarriers, as well as Midland Veterans AC.He gradually converted to race walking andcompeted regularly until about December2006. His achievements in European andWorld Masters Championships were quitememorable.As an organiser he masterminded not onlymany race walking events, but was heavilyinvolved in the BMAF Road Relay RunningChampionships held regularly in SuttonPark.And he still found time to officiate regularlyas a qualified field official. He was also formany years a keen member of the MVACcommittee.Denis, despite his 80+ years always lookeda lot younger than many of hiscontemporaries. He enjoyed good healthuntil the final 2 years. Away from athleticshe was a keen family man with a wide rangeof interests, including gardening, music,politics, travelling, and adult learning.He is survived by his wife Yvonne whoshared many of his interests, includingathletics. She also has competedsuccessfully in many European andWorld events. We offer our sincerecondolences to Yvonne and all theirfamily.Denis passed away in late December.Despite severe weather and deep snow,there was a huge turnout at the funeral,demonstrating how much he will bemissed by all of us.Bill Maxwell R.I.P.Bill was known to many as he was a truecharacter. Bill, who died age 76, walkedfor the now defunct Leyland Motors ACand when that folded he donned the vestof Lancashire WC. He qualified asCenturion 509 in 1973 at the toughBristol 100 Miles (20.52.29) and achievedthat feat 4 more times. He travelled allover and came south with LeylandMotors to race against Ford & VaxhallMotors in British IndustriesChampionship races organised by PatFurey and staged in Luton by the lateJohn Telford. We express condolence tohis family.Reverend David Christie-Murray R.I.P.The Reverend David Christie-Murray(SWC & The Centurions) a former winnerof the Enfield Open 7 Miles Walk hasdied at the age of 96. He scored two wartimevictories in 1940 and 41 with timesof 55:25 and 55:05 and attended theopen at Donkey Lane a few years ago.FeaturesParish Walk Preview 2010by Dave Mackey1,710 nervous walkers awaiting the gunat 8am on June 26th , preparing to takeon 85 miles of the most picturesque,demanding and hilly road race courses in