It has long been proven that Walking is great exercise. A lot of us enjoy racing. Walking a race gives us a chance to mix two activities we love. If you are interested in taking your walking and racing up to an extreme level. Be recognized around the World for your hard work. A Centurion Walk could be for You.
CENTURION 100 miles walked in a JUDGED SANCTIONED event within 24 Hours. Rules.
Sound impossible? Not only is it possible but several people do it every year all over the world. Great Britain, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the United States host Centurion races every year. Each club holds the same high standard. You must walk 100 miles within 24 hours.
With a slow build up in walking mileage. A lot of time on your feet. Almost anyone can work up to a 100 mile walk. It will not be easy. It will take a lot of time away from your television. You might feel the urge to start a healthy diet. Weight could just fall off of you. You could feel the best you have felt in decades. This is the price paid for such an extreme challenge.
Walk 100-miles within 24 hours here in the United States you will be added to the list of United States Centurions. It will change your life. You will be a new person. A healthy fit You. The person you were meant to be. A CENTURION!
“People who don’t do this think it’s easy. That’s because they haven’t tried it yet.”
– Alan Price – United States Centurion C23
Hello Mike,
I found the Centurion Walk a worthy goal. As to a training plan. I found our feet to be the weak link to walking 100 miles. It is a bunch of steps. I could not recover walking more than 55 miles per week. I would walk 4 days just short of 5 miles each. A 12-mile day and a 24-mile day each week. I found walking fast (12-minute miles and faster) to be the best training for a Centurion walk. Not my Centurion race pace but my training pace. Marathons are perfect long day training walks. A 5-hour walked Marathon was always my goal. A 6-hour walked 50K is very close to how your body will feel at the end of a Centurion walk. I did keep a blog about my training and races. https://www.walk100miles24hours.com/
You will find your endurance experience a big advantage. Train Well. Keep it fun!
Rob Robertson
U.S. Centurion C78
Hello, I’m interested in the 100 mile centurion walk. As a marathon and ultra runner, I’m an experienced endurance athlete, but a novice to walking. Do you have any walking training plans for aspiring centurion walkers? Thanks!
Hello Susan,
I am excited to hear You will attempt a Centurion at FANS this year. Already two Centurions from Europe have entered the race. Centurions are more fun with other seeking the same goal.
I saw the hill in question when I helped judge the race in 2019. Looking on alltrails the hill in question is about 150yards long at a 3% grade. Not much of a hill. Hills do add up after you climb them 50 time. In 2019 a lady from the Netherlands. A lady I have raced with all over the world was not able to finish her U.S. Centurion. I attribute that to the hill. I have attached one photo from the top looking down at the walkers coming up. The hill will not make the Centurion impossible. Training for it is a must.
Arriving the day before is plenty. I also am walking and arriving the day before.
See You at FANS.
Train well,
Rob Robertson
U.S. Centurion Walkers
https://www.unitedstatescenturionwalkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hill.png
Hi! This will be my first attempt at a centurion! I am wondering how long the hill is and % grade? Would arriving there the day before be adequate? I will be coming from VT! Thanks so much, Susan
Good Morning Bruno,
I found the Centurion Walk to be a worth goal. You are already off to a great start. The best advice I have is, Time on Your Feet. Walk as much as you can, and still recover. But most of all train those feet. 50 miles is a bunch of steps. 100 miles are that many more. Also train to walk faster. I like to train fast so my slower race pace feels easy.
I also will be at FANS this year. I have switched to walking trail races. Another 100 miles at FANS would be perfect training for my Goal 100 mile Trail race in October. I hope that FANS will move their race back to the first weekend in June.
Train well, Look forward to walking with you at FANS.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurions (keeper)
Hi Rob!
My name is Bruno Bornsztein – I’m turning 40 next year and my goal is to walk the 100 mile FANS race in Minneapolis in August (I live in St. Paul). I love to walk, and started walking my age on my birthday at 35. This year I upped it to 50 and finished in 13:05.
I’ve looked through your site, in particular the training schedule, and just wanted to reach out and see if you had any tips or advice for someone who’d like to become a Centurion!
Thanks in advance,
Bruno
Hello Keith,
I found training for a Centurion Walk a worthy goal. Best advice I have is to increase training miles slowly. I walked 4 miles every day six days per week. Don’t forget to take a day off each week. Increased my Wednesday and Sunday walks to 8 miles. After another month increase my Wednesday and Sunday walks to 12 miles. After that each month I increase my Sunday walk another 4 miles. When I train I still want to walk fast. 12 or 12:30 minute miles are perfect. When I get up to 56 miles per week I stay at that mileage the rest of my training. One day five weeks before Owego you will want to walk 45 miles at your Centurion pace (13:55) per mile. A chance to test shoes, socks, clothes and any food you might eat during the race. Do a taper in mileage starting three weeks before the race. Cut mileage not speed. We train fast so the Centurion pace feels easy. You want your race to feel easy for as long as possible. The more time on your feet training the better for your feet racing. I find most people are limited by their feet in Centurion races. Train those feet. Recognize foot problems early (blisters. hot spots) stop and fix them. Eat and drink a little the whole race. Start early and don’t stop eating and drinking. Every race will have a low spot. A time in the race when your mind and body want to quit. To become a Centurion You will have to overrule your mind and body. Become mentally Strong.
Good Luck. Excited for You.
Rob Robertson
U.S. Centurion C78
United States Centurions (keeper)
hello rob! i have been thinking on doing the owego,new york 100 mile walk.i have been race walking for quite some time,the farthest distance i have gone is 1/2marathon that was about 10 years ago still walking some but i am tired of the same races all the time, is it possible you can give me advice on this task? keith
Hello Mike,
To earn a United States Centurion Badge and number you will have to walk 100 miles at one of our Centurion Qualifying races. Right now the only U.S. race scheduled is FANS in late August. https://www.unitedstatescenturionwalkers.com/?page_id=1717 Hope to see you there.
Walk Well
Rob Robertson
U.S. Centurion (keeper)
Hi
The centurion 100 miles 24hours
I am from ireland
How would I get around doing this for the centurion medal
Many thanks
Mike.
Hello Veda,
I am so excited to hear from you. Thank You for the race report. Loved hearing about your Centurion experience. Congratulations Centurion. I will order your Centurion badge tomorrow. Depending on how busy the lady is it can take up to five weeks. I will email you when the badge arrives for your address. I would like to add your report to the past race and results page. Any photos you might have would also be great. https://www.unitedstatescenturionwalkers.com/?page_id=123 I have the following information about your race.
1989 United States Centurion Qualifier Columbia, Missouri September 30, 1989
New Centurion C44 RAY FRANKS
New Centurion C45 DAVE THORPE
New Centurion C46 VEDA ROUBIDEAUX
Alan Price 19:54:11
Dale Sutton 20:21:43
Ray Franks 22:40:19
Dave Thorpe 23:14:43
Veda Roubideaux 23:21:06
Steve Pinto 80.75
Doug Brown 77.75
Bruce Etherton 70.0
Jack Blackburn 68.0
Niall Mandal 65.5
Tim Phillips 62.0
Bob Chapin 56.25
Don Kinney 50.25
Congratulations and Thanks again Centurion.
Rob Robertson
Centurion C78
United States Centurion Walkers (keeper)
I was just remembering the time I did the 100 mile and wondered if there was a record of who had done it on line and came across your site. I did the 100 mile in 1989 I am number C46. My time was 23:21:06. I don’t remember just where it was held. I went with two other guys. Dale Sutton C32, he had finished it in 1980 and again in 1989 and Dave Thorpe C45 who finished just before me. Dale was our coach and mentor. His first rule was start eating right away, if you wait until later you will get sick and be off the track throwing up. Which is what I saw happen to several people. What he had us eat starting off was a mixture of cottage cheese for protein, pineapple juice to digest the cheese and apple sauce for sugar, all mixed together. And it worked great. After that we ate different things we had brought. I was uncertain just what to bring so I brought baby food custard and that worked well. I always thought I should do a commercial for Gerbers saying, “Hey Gerbers is not just for babies I walked a 100 miles eating it”. I also brought some M&Ms, I would tell myself OK “twenty fast lapse and you get M&Ms”. As I am sure you well know this walk is half fitness and have mental desire. We had gone to I think Montana the year to try to do the race but the weather was so bad, cold, rain and horrible wind. They called it off a 5am. So we tried again in1989 and this time we had good weather. The people who were the organizers got very excited when they could see I might make it in under 24 hours as I would only be the 5th women to have done it. Every one was so supportive and encouraging. I then I made that last extra lap past the official last lap just in case they had missed one. I was of course so happy and so tired. I remember sitting down in a chair but then was not able to get up on my own. It was a great achievement I have been very proud of. Thank you for having this web site I hope it was OK to share something of my story of becoming a Centurion and I would love to get one of the badges if you could let me know how I get one I would appreciate it so much. Thanks for having this site and so glad this wonderful opportunity to experience the joy of this accomplishment is continuing. Wish I could try again but at age 74 with a not so good back I guess I will have to settle for just doing it once. Thanks so much I look forward to hearing from you.
Hello William,
Sorry about your running injury. Successful distance walk training is not much different than run training. Build mileage slowly. Bend those arms. The faster you can move those arms the faster your feet will be. Good luck with your recovery. I think you will enjoy walking. I know I have.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
I kept a blog when I was racing Centurion walks around the world. Tells how I trained and raced. Some Of the information you might find useful. https://www.walk100miles24hours.com/
I’m very interested in shifting to walking (as I sit her in my cam walker boot recovering from a running injury), but I have no idea hope to get started. I would love some advice.
Hello John,
Thank You for the e-mail. You have to be in your 50’s to understand life is about slowing down and working hard to the finish. It is the same with a Centurion walk. It is all about having the discipline to train and race smart. Your experience on the Appalachian trail will go a long way on your Centurion prep.
The oldest United States Centurion finisher was Larry O’neil. He finished six times and was 70 years old on the last one. Oldest ever was Australian Derrick Skinner. Derrick walked a Centurion twice. Once at 73 and the last time at 74 years old. Currently British allstar Sandra Brown has walk more than 200 -100 mile walks. She is still racing strong at 70 years old.
Train well and hope to see You at a United States Centurion Qualifier.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
Hi Rob,
My name is John Sullivan. I live in Connecticut. I just came upon your site. I’m a hiker and love walking.
I just searched for long distance walking on the web and came across your site. I never realized there was a club for this. The Centurion club sounds interesting and fun.
Ive done large section hikes of the Appalachian trail in my 30’s. And I take a pilgrimage to a shrine in Stockbridge Mass every year. Its 59 miles from my house in Ct.
I’ve done 42.5 miles in 13 hrs on my first day (with many breaks and stops) since it wasn’t a race.
But I’ve often wanted to try to make it in 1 day. Now you’ve got me thinking this is very possible. I don’t think I’m any where near ready for the Centurian challenge but lets see where this leads…..!? Your passion for this has got me pumped up. I’m 57 yrs old now and grateful to see its possible for someone in thier 50″s. Anyway, I just thought I’d reach out and say hello.
By the way, what is the oldest Centurian to compete/ complete the challenge ?
Hello Christy,
Excited for you. A Centurion walk is a worthy goal. Six miles per day 5 days per week is perfect training. Along with a long walk every two or three weeks. A marathon or similar distance. Centurion training is really feet training. We train our feet to walk 100 miles. Lots of steps. The more miles you can walk the better for your feet. They are the weak link in a Centurion attempt. Any walking technique is legal for a Centurion walk. I myself am more of a Power walker than race walker. Good luck with your half and later full Marathon. Let me know how you do.
I will see you at FANS 2021.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
Hi Rob,
Hi from Chicago! I’m going to train for the Centurion but for next June of 2021. I want to give myself more training than what I currently have under my belt. Right now I consistently walk 6 miles a day 5 x a week. I’m going to train for a half marathon in early summer and a full marathon in the fall. Along with training mileage in general (so non-races) do you think that is enough build up before the FANS race in June next year?
My second question is can I successfully walk the FANS race without using the actual race walk technique? So more like just a power walk?
Thank you very much!
Christy Nielsen
Hello Christa,
Congratulations to you and your race success. I am aware of Jersey. Several of my English walking friends have gone to the Channel Islands for Holiday. With your current training and past success, prep for your next challenge will go well.
I find training for a 24 hour walk is really just training ones feet. Success will depend on those feet. I feel prepared when I get around 56 miles walking per week. I like one long day per week (28 miles). A medium long day per week (12 miles). Four short days per week (4 miles each). One day off each week. I like to increase my long day five weeks before my event to a single 40 mile walk. This walk helps humble me and prepare my mind. I don’t start with this mileage. I build up to it over several months.
On the day of your walk. Be sure and eat a hand full of something every 30 minutes. I mix it up. Some sweets, some salty. About every 6 hours something more solid. I like a burger, pizza. Don’t eat to much. Don’t stop eating. You will need the calories. I also drink something twice an hour. If your body gets behind on food or drink catching back up is almost impossible. Pay close attention to your feet. If you feel a blister stop and fix it. Sometimes changing shoes or socks can make your feet feel like new. Success will depend on those feet. Every long walk I have done has had a low place in it mentally. A place where I was so tired or felt I could not finish. Success will only come if you fight through this low spot. Just remember the people that your charity helps. You are doing it for them.
Train well, Good Luck. Let me know how you are coming along and any details about you challenge so I can follow and contribute.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
Firstly congratulations on all of your many achievement they are phenomenal. I have completed a local 48 mile walk over 7 times however this is very difficult terrain with 75% of the walk being on steep cliff paths and up and down thousands of steps to just add to the difficulty level. The quickest time I did it in was 10 hours 32 and was very pleased to be second female over the finish line.
I run 3 to 4 times a week as well and walk countless km’s too. However I have set myself a challenge to raise money for a local charity who provide employment and life skills to people with learning disabilities and autism.
My plan is to walk for 24 hours on a pre-planned repetitive route that is a safe environment and allows those that work with the charity to come up and join in. I was actually just wondering if you had any tips for me in terms of training and also on the day itself of the challenge
Thanks very much
Christa
Jersey, Channel Islands (the original Jersey not the one in the US)
Hello R,
A Worth goal to attempt a Centurion walk. For me personally I work up to walking 56 miles per week. I break my miles up into four miles on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. 12 miles on Wednesday. 28 miles on Sunday. A one day walk of 45 miles five weeks before the attempt. I have an old blog about my personal training. https://www.walk100miles24hours.com/ You must train your feet to become a Centurion. You train them with lots of miles.
I have raced Centurion walks all around the world. Almost every person that trains and races can walk 75 to 80 miles or about 18 hours. At this point the race changes from physical to mental. Only about 10% can push through this barrier.
There are two ways to be disqualified. Have both feet off the ground at the same time (running). Cutting the course (making the distance less than 100 miles). Also having people not entered in the race walk along with you is not allowed (Pacers).
Train well. Any way I can help just let me know. Hope to see you at one of our Centurion qualifiers.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurions (keeper)
Hi, I’m interested in attempting centurion walk. What kind of training is needed and what is the success rates of participants? How do people get disqualified?
Hello Vance,
Congratulations on your 100K Finish. Excited for you and your Centurion quest. Most likely your Australian Centurion walk will be in Coburg 2021. If so Tim Erickson will have you in one of the middle or outside lanes. You will have to adjust your lap time according. In the meantime we have plenty of time to train. I feel the most confident when I train faster than 12 minute miles (7:27 per km). I won’t walk a centurion race that fast. Training fast make the centurion pace feel easy. You want the walk to feel easy for as long as possible. I like a pace just fast enough for about an hour cushion at the half way mark. An hour to use for anything unexpected in the race. For me the second half is much tougher than the first half. The last four hours even tougher. Part of the training will be a mental build up for the end of the walk.
I have taken some time off. About to start back training. I have a couple of 100 mile walks coming up in 2020 here in the States. Let me know anyway I can help.
Train well,
Rob
Hi Rob, Vance Hall here from Australia.
Firstly congratulations on some amazing Ultra walking results.
I would like to tackle the Australian Centurion event in 2021 and was wondering if I could employ you as my mentor to help me achieve this challenge.
I’m not an Ultra Marathon Walker so I would be starting from scratch.Having said that,I wasn’t an Ultra Trail walker either but successfully accomplished 100km through the Nerang State Forest which is quite a brutal track.I now have my sights set on getting my hands on a Centurion Medal in 2021.
Firstly I need to work out the pace I would have to go at and then Secondly,can I maintain that pace for 24 hours.
I’ve read in your blog where you mentioned a 400 metre lap in 3:20 to Complete 403 laps in 22:41..
I’m looking at using most of the 24 hours available to me and maybe use about an hour worth of rest stops which includes toilet and drink stops.Based on this,what training speed will I be looking at per 400 metre lap to help me achieve success in the big dance?
Thanx mate
Hello Jim,
Only Larry O’Neil U.S. Centurion C4 has walked 100 miles within the 24 hours in the United States at the age of 70. He did it in 1977 Columbia, MO in a time of 21:55:23. It was his 6th Centurion walk.
You will be up there in rare company. Train Well. Look forward to walking with you in Owego.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
hello rob, i would like to try the 100 in owego this coming september. i have walked 97 and 98 in two previous attempts. not easier as i get older. simple question. any statistics on persons age 70 or older who have done the 100 under 24 hours? i will be 69 years old for owego,2020. thanks,jim gawle
Hello Gregg,
Have a great ruck walk in November. If you can walk 50 miles with ruck you are well ahead of the game for a Centurion attempt. Any of the 100 mile training plans are good for Centurion training. For me personally when I can walk around 55 miles every week (Plus a one day walk of 45 miles five weeks before the attempt.) I am ready.
I have taken a year off. About to get back into form. I will be racing in Owego. Hope to see you there. A Centurion Walk is a worthy goal.
Train Well. Good luck in November,
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
Hello Rob;
I’m training for a 50-mile ruck in November and the Bataan Death March in March of 2020. These are forced march events with 35+ pounds in my rucksack.
I want to take my walking to the next level, so this seems like a tremendous challenge.
I’m thinking the New York event in September of 2020. Could I use a 100-mile run training schedule for my training ?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Best;
Gregg Seltzer
Thanks Rob for the info
That’s very much appreciated and very kind.
I will keep an eye on the web site over the next coming months
Wait till I see Mr Bonney !!!!
Regards
Chris
Hello Chris,
Congratulations on your Centurion success around the world. I followed your races in Australia and The Netherlands on the internet. Well done. Yes entries will be on the FANS website and I will put a link on the U.S. Centurion site. I expect entries to open up in early fall.
Michael is keen on a trip to FANS in June. I have offered assistance of a ride to and from the race, A steak dinner the evening post race to Michael. I extend the same to You. Hope to see you in the States. Expect entries opening soon.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
Hi Rob
Looking to enter the US Centurion event on the 6th and 7th June 2020 at Lake Snelling
I am already a multi badge holder UK1126 (2013) on the Isle of Man / Australian AU72 (2018 also winning the event) and C475 (2019)
I live on the Isle of Man and am keen on getting my 4th badge next year
Are entries open yet?
would it be the FANS website?
I also see Michael Bonney has posted a interest 🙂
Many Thanks
Chris
Hello Michael,
Congratulations on your two Centurion badges. A lot of great history with Centurions and The Isle of Man.
Yes next years FANS race will start on June 6th. I will be there. This years flooding was unusual. I expect the race to be at Lake Snelling again for 2020. The course at Lake Snelling has a couple of small hills. Training on the Isle of Man will have you prepared. Almost half the course is on packed dirt. I always wear gaiters.
Any way I can help just let me know. In 2018 we were the taxi for Andrew Titley. This service included a post race steak dinner.
Train well, hope to see you at FANS.
Rob Robertson
Hi Rob I am keen to enter the USA centurion in 2020, I hope to do the fans event next June if it is the 6th of June?, I live on the Isle of Man and have two badges already UK c1135 and cn429 and would love to add to this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, cheers.
Congratulations George on your United States Centurion. I will order your badge on Monday. The lady makes them one at a time by hand. It can take up to five weeks depending on how busy she is. I will send you an email when I receive the badge with the tracking number to your home. Congratulation again.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
Back in 79 I was able to finish 100 miles within 24 hours to become Centurion # 30. This was possible due to the outstanding support of the good people of Columbia Missouri. I would really love to receive one of those medallions to show my kids.
Hello James,
Almost everyone with training who attempts a Centurion race all around the world is able to walk between 70 and 80 miles. Less than 10 percent will be able to push through beyond that distance and finish. At that point the race becomes more mental than physical. Comes down to just how bad do you want it.
Rob
Hi Rob, curious to know what you would estimate the failure rate is of those who attempt the 24 centurion challenge? Thanks.
Hello James,
Congratulations on your Unbreakable 24 hour challenge success.. As you already know the only sanctioned United States Centurion qualifier for 2019 is in Minneapolis in June. There will be two U.S. Centurion Qualifiers in 2020. Minneapolis again in June. Owego, New York in late September. We are limited on qualifying races because well, not many people walk 66 miles and then want to go even farther.
Keep walking. Keep it Fun. Hope to see you at one of the United States Centurion Qualifiers.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
Hi, my friend and I completed the Unbreakable 24 hour challenge created by retired Navy Seal, Thom Shea last November. The goal was just to survive and did not have any mileage goals. We managed to complete 66 miles and it was quite an accomplishment. Wow were we beat up at the end of it. We did not go out with any groups or as an organized event, just the two of us on a 10 mile loop around my community in Wesley Chapel, FL. I wanted a new challenge this year and thought it would be great to see if we could do 100 miles in 24 hours and then came across you when I googled it. Unfortunately with my work schedule and family trying to attend your event in MN is not an option for me. Any plans to spread the events anywhere in other parts of the U.S………or Florida??? 🙂 My friend and I are planning on trying to get 100 in 24 sometime this November.
Hello New Zealand Centurion C26 Joanne Aitken,
Thank you for the upgrade. Looks very nice. I trust you have recovered from your great walk last October. My it seems like ages ago. I have updated the New Zealand Centurion link on the United States Centurion site.
Sad that I won’t be returning to New Zealand this year. Loved both of my visits to paradise.
Your Brother Centurion,
Rob Robertson NZ C25
Kia ora Rob, I hope you’re recovering well from your 6th Centurion achievement: so incredibly impressive and inspiring. Hey, just letting you know that the NZ Centurion site has had a revamp… please could you kindly update the links on your website to: https://www.nzcenturions.nz/
Thanks heaps and happy walking …
Hello David,
Walking is a Great exercise. Walking changed my life. Most likely saved my life. The United States Centurion walkers is a great group. We have brothers and sisters all around the world. Every Centurion accomplished the same goal for membership. Walk 100 miles within 24 hours.
In 2019 there is one Centurion qualifier in the United States. FANS June 1st in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For 2020 there is the race at FANS in June. A qualifier in Owego, New York in September.
Walk Well. Keep it fun. Hope to see you at one of the United States Centurion walkers races.
Rob Robertson
United States Centurion (keeper)
I would love to join your group. I am a serious walker. Thanks