IN 1923 two Keighley fishermen were drowned in Morecambe Bay in a fishing disaster and Antonio Fattorini, of the well known Bradford jewellers and silversmiths, suggested a charity walk, with proceeds going the men's dependents.

“Tony was a keen fisherman and president of the Bradford and County Walking Association, promoters of Bradford Whitsuntide Walk,” says Geoff Dowling. “At 6.30am on Saturday, September 22, 55 competitors lined up for the first Bradford to Morecambe Walk, outside the Turf Tavern, adjacent to Lister Park's Norman Arch. The 64-mile course ended on Morecambe Promenade. Collections were made en route for the fishermen’s families.”

The race coincided with Morecambe Carnival and thousands lined the Promenade to welcome winner Frank Holt, a Bradford postman. "The following year it went from Morecambe bandstand to Bradford's Norman Arch. This September marks the 94th anniversary,” says Geoff, former president of the Bradford & County Walking Association, who is compiling an anthology of the district's race walking. “It was a massive sport 100 years ago. The Bradford & County Walking Association promoted it, and races were held almost every weekend."

In 1923 Herbert Redgrave, of the Bradford-based Yorkshire Walking Club, claimed to have set a record, walking from the former Bradford Daily Telegraph offices in Piccadilly to Dick Hudson's on the edge of Ilkley Moor via Manningham Lane, Saltaire, Shipley Glen and Eldwick Beck. Redgrave walked it in 62 minutes 43 seconds.

"With local interest high, a Dick Hudson's race was held on Easter Monday 1923, sponsored by the Bradford Telegraph with changing facilities provided in its Drake Street premises," says Geoff. "Half-an-hour before the start a crowd gathered in Piccadilly.. CH Derwent, general manager of the Bradford and District Newspaper Company, pricked a large balloon as a starting signal. Crowds of people lined the route and thousands made their way to Dick Hudson's for the finish.

"Frank Holt, one of the North's leading walkers, won it in record time of 59 minutes 20 seconds, followed by Willie Hall, Jack Wagenheim and Stanley Kershaw. Herbert Redgrave finished fifth.

"In 1929 a change was made to the route on Keighley Road, through Bingley and along Park Road to Eldwick. The race became one of the best known events on the race walking calendar, attracting top walkers nationwide. The Telegraph and Argus provided a fish and chip meal afterwards for officials and competitors.

"In 1971 the walk was at risk, with no sponsor, but the club held it as club and invitation race. Inevitably it became victim of road safety regulations, which beset many traditional race walking events on main roads, and the final Dick Hudson's race was held in December, 2008."