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MASTERS ATHLETICS SPRING 2013.

Whilst I am not able to outline the problems that apply to LES D’ARCY
Torino for the Masters Games, I think that a short
message is needed for the athletes that are looking to go You may well have heard that one of the oldest British
there. Athletes competing Les D'Arcy from Wakefield has died age
91.
Presently the event has become a money making thing
and FIDAL are not involved in the Athletics programme, He was passionate about sports all his life and maybe even
so there is no guide as to who will be running the more passionate about sharing his knowledge to others and
Athletics and what officials will be on duty, and whether getting them interested in keeping fit and competing at
they will be proper FIDAL officials. whatever their skill level. Although Table Tennis was his
main sport winning over a dozen World Titles in the Veterans
As no one knows who is running the event neither categories he was an avid weightlifter all his life also
FIDAL or WMA have sanctioned the event, and without competing in World Championships events. Although coming
the WMA/IAAF sanction the meeting will not be late to Athletics when he was over 80. After I had acquired a
recognised. (WMA Sanctions these events on behalf of shot from the Royal Navy for him, he subsequently broke the
the IAAF) as we do not know under what rules the event British Record on his first throw.
will be run, no records will be accepted by WMA.

The need for their medical certificate with exercise ECG,
etc is not a Masters dictate and is not a specific FIDAL
or WMA requirement.

Unfortunately there has been no communication by the
organiser with WMA so we would ask WMA Affiliates to
make it clear to their athletes that should they compete
in the Masters Games in Torino, they do so at their own
risk.

Winston Thomas.

OBITUARIES I accompanied him to the World Athletic Champions in
Sacramento where he was the oldest British Competitor and
BRIAN SCRIVENS R.I.P. picked up 3 bronze medals and three British records in the
throwing events.
Brian, aged 78 years, has passed on the 4th December after Les served in the RAF in the Second World War and went on
a very long period of ill health, during which he remained
enthusiastic about race walking and life in general. He to become a PT teacher. He carried the torch at the
willingly donated to our sport, including sponsorship of an Olympic relay last year. I belive he currently holds nine
award to recognise Sandra Brown's meritorious contribution
to long distance walking. Representing the now defunct British records.
Royal Sutton Coldfield Walking Club, he became Centurion
337 in the 1962 Leicester-to-Skegness event clocking Eamon Fullen
23.45.30 in a race which is still talked about as its winner -
1960 Rome Olympic 50K walker, the late Frank O'Reilly, We were sad to hear the news of the
became the first walker bettering 17 hours for 100 miles death of Mike Barratt who once held
when clocking 16.58.16. the M45 10,000 World Record. He
was a member of Easling & Southall
For many years the BMAF 20K was held at Sutton Park and
it was usually Brian at the numbers table warmly greeting We have just been informed that Derek
walkers from all around the Country. Despite great difficulty Howarth, who won the M80 cross country race
in getting about Brian made considerable effort to attend in Sunderland, suffered a serious stroke last
Centurions AGMs. Centurions Captain Sandra Brown wrote: weekend whilst in Poland to watch his
Very sad news. Brian was a lovely gentleman, his great granddaughter Lauren run in the IAAF World
kindness and generosity combining with an indomitable cross country championships. Apparently he
spirit. Brian bore his health problems, which would have has recovered sufficiently to be able to ask his
beaten a lesser man, with a good spirit and was always family to relay a message to his training
positive and optimistic. A very special Centurion whom we companions to tell them he will not be joining
remember with great affection, and great respect. them for their Wednesday run. Derek did

A small group from the Race Walking Association, Midland
Masters and the Centurions attended the funeral service at
Streetly. A memorial service being held later at Chasetown
Methodist Church.

Our thanks to Dave Ainsworth and Eric Horwell for these
details.

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