Bradford Walk Exhibition opens on June 10th at the Mechanics Institute in Bradford.

This exceptional Northern classic, which had been held annually for over 100 years since 1903, featured some of the worlds finest athletes and Olympic Champions.

The walk was the oldest amateur race walking event in the world. On Whit Monday 1st June 1903, an enormous crowd gathered in the centre of Bradford to witness the start of the first Bradford Walk. There were stirring scenes in front of the George Hotel, Market Street when at six-thirty five, the 92 competitors stepped smartly across the start line to head for the finish at the Windmill Hotel York, a distance of 39 miles by way of Shipley, Otley, Harewood & Tadcaster.

www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/2105787.A_brisk_walk_through_the_pages_of_club___s_history/

A picture of Race Walking in Bradford from the past.  

Kind permision has been given to use excerpts from the book "The Whitsuntide Walk" written by Geoff Dowling, President of the Yorkshire Race Walking club.