IN the early 20th century the phenomenon of race walking was gripping the nation.

“It was a sport that appealed to the working-class,” says Remember When? reader Geoff Dowling.

“It was affordable and some contestants excelled at the sport. Many Northern industrial towns and cities formed walking clubs and there were regular race walking events organised.

“The spread of race walking was phenomenal - from Bradford to Brighton in the south, every body was walking mad.

“It was recorded that in 1928 R Woolley of Wibsey won five 20-mile walks in succession at Bingley, Oakenshaw, Gomersal, East Bierley and Cleckheaton.

“Wibsey Park Harriers Walking Section was formed on July 17, 1923 at the Alexandra Hotel and produced some fine individual walkers.”

Geoff has sent in this photograph of Charlie Colman, later to make history by dead-heating in the Bradford Whit Walk with Olympic champion, Harold Whitlock.

“Harry Barraclough is in the photo front central with his son, John. Other known well known pedestrian performers on the photo are Joey Joy, Harry Kirkbright,Willie Hall and R Woolley.

"The club was disbanded in 1952 due to lack of officials and most members joined the Yorkshire Walking Club,” says Geoff, who is currently working on an anthology of race walking in the Bradford district.

Geoff Dowling is the former president of the Bradford & County Walking Association, takes up the story:

Among those who left their mark on the district's race walking legacy were the Fattorini family.

“Tony, a watchmaker, jeweller, inventor, trophy designer, was the benefactor of numerous amateur sporting clubs and one of his main interests was race walking," says Geoff.

"Early in 1903 he had the idea of a long distance walk and, with a number of prominent fellow businessmen, organised a 40-mile walking race from Bradford to York. The Bradford & County Walking Association was formed to promote race walking, leading to the Bradford Walk, held for 111 years.

“Bradford was at the centre of race walking mania in the early 20th century. It vied with cricket and rugby as one the most North’s popular sports.

"On Saturday, July 11, 1903, five weeks after the initial Bradford Walk, won by Baildon’s Len Atkinson, the Bradford Telegraph reported on the Manchester to Blackpool Walk.

"A Lister Park Walk was won by Atkinson and Bingley Cricket Club promoted a 20-mile race to Uttley.

"The Wyke Junction pub had a nine-mile race, and there was a Bradford City Walk for factories and firms attracted 98 entries, with teams from the police and technical college, and Thornton’s Harrison Hanson coming second. Gold and silver Alderman medals were provided by Fattorini’s."

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