Course Record Obliterated
Mark Easton crossing finish line in new best time. Photo by local Press
The 1991 edition of the 19.4 miles Church to Church Walk had been given a boost when the organisers, Sarnia Walking Club had obtained a sponsorship deal with Jersey European Airways enabling all finishers to receive a medal for their efforts as well as offsetting some costs for visiting walkers.
The quickest man to enter in 1991 was Surrey Walking Clubs British International walker Mark Easton. He had finished 5th in the previous years Commonwealth Games walk over 30 kms in under 2 hours 15 minutes. This distance is only 0.8 miles shorter than the Church course. He was also the current National 20 kms Champion.
A fast time was on the cards with Mark Easton duly smashing local walker Rob Elliotts course record by seven minutes.
From the start it was a question of by how much he would take the record. He was on fine form only just missing out on selection for the World Championships.
With the company of Jim Ball, who was only going to walk 10 miles, Easton set off to head the field from the start. Easton reached the first mile in 8.20. Not a fast time on paper but a hard climb up Cornet Street and Hauteville demands respect. Ball was five seconds down, followed by twice winner Ed Shillabeer, local 1986 winner Mark Elliott, frequent visitor Colin Bradley, local Rob Elliott and former Great Britain International Bob Dobson.
Easton stormed on to reach 5 miles in 38 minutes with Ball in tow. The other contenders were now spreading out and by Torteval Church (6.25 miles) the leading two were five minutes up on Shillabeer.
Easton went through 10 miles in 75 minutes, Ball in 77 and Shillabeer 83 and a half. Bradley was close at hand but finding it hard, with Rob Elliott less than a minute down and looking good. Dobson seemed out of it pasing in 92 minutes.
At St Andrews Church (11 miles), leading lady Jenny Elliott had been caught by Easton. Ball had now retired from the race leaving Shillabeer in second place. Another few miles and Rob Elliott had passed Bradley and moved into third. It was a short lived third as Bradley responded in the next mile to regain his spot.
Mark Easton moved passed 15 miles in 1 hour 52 minutes, some six minutes faster than Elliott had done in his 1982 record walk. Shillabeer went through in 2.07 with Bradley and Elliott a further five behind. Jenny Elliott at this point was well ahead of her nearest rivals Rose Drückes and Edna Martel as she recorded 2.38.
Admitting to hurting over the final miles, Mark Easton crossed the line in a magnificent 2.25.38, eighteen minutes up on second placed Shillabeer.
In most other Church walks we would be enthusing over Ed`s finishing time of 2.43.16, still one of the best on record, but overshadowed by Easton on this occasion.
Easton shortly after finish with Bob Porter who retired. Photo local Press
Easton was delighted with his afternoons work after looking to walk around 2.30. He said” the first 10 miles were OK………but after 1 hour 20 mins my stomach started churning, with aching legs from 1 hour 40″.
He went on to say he really felt the pressure in the final mile and a half as his calves tied up leading to his slowing down, despite him trying to push on.
Colin Bradley finished a good third, with Bob Dobson storming past Rob Elliott in the final mile and in doing so closed down a 6 minute gap, to take fourth spot.
Jenny Elliott again took victory in the Womens section with a sub 3.38 time, 19 minutes ahead of second placed Rose Drückes. Stalwarts Mick Le Sauvage and Roy Le Marquand both finished their 30th Church to Church walks.
1 Mark Easton 2.25.38
2 Ed Shillabeer 2.43.16
3 Colin Bradley 2.52.26
4 Bob Dobson 2.55.51
5 Rob Elliott 2.56.32
1 Jenny Elliott 3.37.44
2 Rose Drückes 3.57.03
3 Edna Martel 3.58.16
Mark Easton returned the following year to remove another minute of his record time!!
