Centurion race attracts the world to Owego

Appealing weather conditions greeted more than 20 competitors from different corners of the world to Marvin Park in Owego, N.Y. on Sept. 24 and 25 for the “Not Just a Walk in the Park” 100 mile Centurion and 100K USATF Eastern Regional and the Niagara Association Championship.

Members of the community were encouraged to register for the “Community Challenge” and walk along with the racers. Proceeds from the event benefit local scout troops.

Owego residents Dave and Erin Taylor-Talcott, professional race walkers and record holders who compete all over the globe, and known locally as the “race walking couple,” decided to hold the event in Owego as a way to promote their sport and also to invite their race walking peers to their hometown.

The Talcott’s are thankful for the support they received from local sponsors, along with the Village of Owego, who agreed to excavate and pave a new path, and provided extra lighting and use of the bathrooms and showers at the park’s pool area, among other items.

Race walkers from the U.S., Belgium, Australia, Sweden, England and Isle of Man, among others, participated in the event. Village of Owego Trustee, Phoebe Morris, welcomed competitors before the official start.

“I’m ready for the 161 laps,” said Taylor-Talcott of a race, which challenges competitors not only physically, but mentally as well.

Race walking owns a chapter of history amongst extreme endurance events, the first of which was held in New York City in May 1878. It re-emerged in 1967, and since then, only 87 individuals have earned the U.S. Centurion honor.

Those competing in Owego were eager to share their U.S. Centurion number, including Bob Keating from Nashua, N.H., number 35, who achieved the honor in three different years.

Seventy-five-year-old Pat Bivona from Clifton, N.J., Centurion number 58, joked that many Centurions are also expert sleep walkers.

Bivona explained that it is not how fast they all walk, but what excels is, “The strong-mindedness and comradery.”

For Caroline Mestdagh of Geel, Belgium, Owego was her second U.S. race and she cited completion of eight international races. Mestdagh, Centurion number 72, did ultimately make Owego her tenth Centurion finish in 22 hours and 46 minutes.

“My best ever time was 21 hours and 30 minutes,” Mestdagh said prior to the Owego race.

Along with Rudy Schoors, the couple planned to stay in New York for three days before returning to Belgium.

Schoors, who did not compete in the Owego race, is Centurion number 73, and explained, “On Monday we will check out Owego, Tuesday we plan Niagara Falls and then Wednesday we will be off to the wine trails.”

When asked if another Centurion race will be scheduled in Owego, Dave Talcott shared, “We are discussing every other year,” and added, “We could’ve seen more come to Owego this time, but some chose an event in South Africa.”

Erin Taylor-Talcott has broken barriers in the sport, most recently competing in a 50K IAAF race in Rome, Italy earlier this year, after winning a petition to be allowed to enter the men’s race. Taylor-Talcott was also the first woman to compete at the men’s 50K Olympic Trials in 2012. In 2014, she successfully petitioned USATF to award equal prize money for women’s events, and continues to advocate for other changes.

Taylor-Talcott shared, “The lack of a women’s 50K event is the last inequality in the Olympics.” It is hopeful the event will be introduced at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Taylor-Talcott can now add one more race walking accomplishment to her list, completing the Owego event in 23:31:05, which is her first Centurion badge.

A total of eight athletes reached one hundred miles in less than 24 hours at the Owego event, including Taylor-Talcott. She’s Centurion number 85.