Prestigious race walking event with international competitors held in Bury St Edmunds

The 100 mile national race walking championships in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: PHIL MORLEY (Image: Archant)

The 94th Centurion Race was held at Moreton Hall with walkers racing around a two-mile loop to complete either 100, 50 or 20-mile distances.

The 100 mile national race walking championships in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: PHIL MORLEY (Image: Archant)

International competitors from as far afield as Australia were joined by participants from France, Belgium and Holland.

The 100 mile national race walking championships in Bury St Edmunds. Race organiser, Kevin Marshall. Picture: PHIL MORLEY (Image: Archant)

The event took place between midday on Saturday, August 5, and midday on Sunday, August 6, and 41 walkers took on the 100-mile challenge in a bid to become centurions by completing the distance in 24 hours.

The 100 mile national race walking championships in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: PHIL MORLEY (Image: Archant)

Kevin Marshall, race director, said: “It was great to have the mayor Terry Clements along to start the race and it was nice that he hung around to watch people complete their first lap, particularly as the heavens opened just before we started the race.

The 100 mile national race walking championships in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: PHIL MORLEY (Image: Archant)

“We had a brilliant international class field for the race, with some really remarkable people walking.”