Owego man is keeping the pace; maintains walking record for second straight year

Fifty-eight-year old Dave Talcott, an Owego native, produced the fastest time in the world for 100 miles walking for the second year in a row. His latest feat was performed on the Isle of Man, a small island between Ireland and England.  

On Aug. 18 at noon, the gun went off and 22 competitors circled a standard outdoor track hoping to finish 402.139 laps (100 miles) in under 24 hours. Those who could do so would earn the title of Centurion and be listed on the British Centurion list, something you can only do on British soil.  

In 2017 Dave became US Centurion #88 when he walked in the 100-mile race held in Marvin Park in Owego in September. There he recorded a time of 18:53:10, the fastest time of anyone of any age in the world last year and the third fastest time by an American of all time.

This year on the Isle of Man the next Centurion number available was #1188, a number that would pair very nicely with his US Centurion #88, so Talcott made it his goal to earn that number. However there would be many challenges to overcome.

First was a strong field of walkers from around the world. There are six active Centurion lists around the world and there were multiple walkers who had their badges from other areas, walkers who had proven themselves strong competitors. In fact two competitors started off quite quickly, lapping Talcott six times in the first few hours of competition. But Dave stayed patient, knowing that 100 miles is a long, long way.  

And his patience paid off. One competitor had to retire and the other slowed down so that Dave un-lapped himself, going into the lead.

There were still more challenges to be faced, namely Tropical Storm Ernesto who decided to appear about 11 p.m., and after the competitors had been walking for 11 hours. Ernesto brought with him pouring rain and blustery winds, blowing a constant 45 miles per hour.  

When asked what was the toughest thing about the race, Talcott responded, “The mental frustration with the winds and rain in the night. Tromping through the puddles, the elements really slowed me down.”  

The elements took a toll on other competitors, causing hypothermia in some, including Dave’s wife Erin. While she was not able to complete the 100-mile event, she was able to finish 100 kilometers, setting U.S. records in the process.

All things will pass, and with the coming dawn saw Ernesto heading away from the race and giving the remaining competitors a much needed break from the relentless winds and rain.  

While many of the racers had slowed considerably, Dave had only slowed some and had extended his lead over second place to well over an hour.  

But the damage of the weather was done. Chasing the American record for the fastest 100 miles on the track, Talcott missed the record by less than five minutes, finishing in 18:55:41 to the amazement of everyone present. He would end up winning the race in a world leading time for 2018 and finishing almost two hours faster than second place.  

“Dave really won the race when night fell and the weather turned foul. His pace and action never wavered, grinding out the infamously difficult small hours in metronomic fashion,” said Isle of Man resident and competitor James Bassett.

For many the idea of circling the track over 402 times is almost unimaginable. But for Talcott it was a whole lot easier than he thought it was going to be. 

He stated, “In your mind you know you’re going to be going around and around and around. You don’t even think about it, you just go.”  

“I was so proud of him,” said Erin Talcott, Dave’s wife, adding, “He just kept going and going and going like the energizer bunny. The other competitors and volunteers were in complete awe of what he was doing. He was so strong and so focused and so determined. I know he was hoping for the record, but with the weather how it was it really stole time from him.”   

She also stated that Dave is not satisfied with how he did and is looking forward to another attempt. Either way, he is only the sixth American in history to be on multiple Centurion lists.  

“He accomplished so much and has really solidified his place in the history books with his performance,” Erin added. 

Dave and Erin will be hosting another 100-mile race in Marvin Park in Owego in September 2020, where people from near and far will have a chance to walk 100 miles in under 24 hours and earn their U.S. Centurion badges. And if that sounds like a bit too much of a challenge, they are also hosting a 50-mile event.  

In 1962, President Kennedy challenged Americans to be able to walk 50 miles.  The Dutch took up that calling and have a race each year called the Kennedy Friend March. If you can walk 50 miles in under 12 hours you will be put on a list and earn a uniquely numbered award.   

If you are interested in more information about the race in 2020, contact Erin Talcott at oboebassoon@yahoo.com.