By Davy Crockett



Trail 100-milers started to be held in Great Britain in 1973, four years before the Western States 100 was established in America. This piece of ultrarunning history is largely unknown to Americans who have been told for decades that trail 100-milers began first in the U.S. In reality, trail 100s were also known to be held in Mexico among the Tarahumara as early as 1867. Thus, recognition is deserved among several cultures and countries to those who dared to head out into the rural wilderness to achieve the distance of 100 miles on foot. See the new book:  Running 100 Miles Part One: A History (1729-1960).

The Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA)



In 1972, a British association was founded named The Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA). The LDWA started with 355 members. Eventually, the organization grew to more than 9,000 members.



The LDWA defined a “long distance walk” as any walk of 20 miles or more. They wanted to concentrate on rural walks. Local groups were created, a journal eventually called Strider was published, and group walking events were established, referred to as “social events.” In the very first issue in 1972, it was written, “Although our title includes the word ‘walkers,’ this is not intended to preclude those who trot around the course of an organized walk. Some organizers specifically say that competitors must not run, but there can be no real check when most walks go over remote areas and of course when going down a 30% gradient, it is often impossible not to run.”

The LDWA 100-Milers

Formal “challenge events” were established that were up to 100 miles. These trail and cross-country events were marshaled with checkpoints to ensure walkers followed the route. Finish times were published and ordered by finish time. Finishes under a "first-class time" were recognized, but “winners” were not emphasized or awarded. They were not called “races,” but had nearly every attribute of a race. Competitive athletes quickly treated them like races. During 1973, at least 20 ultra-distance trail events were held, supported or publicized by the LDWA.

Sandra Brown (1949-) from England, who by 2020 had finished more than 200 100-milers and dozens of LDWA walks commented, “Some of these LDWA runners and walkers are, year after year, completing 100 miles or more, largely off-road, usually with thousands of feet of climbing over quite remote hills and mountains, and with route-finding on the UK’s quite complex historic footpaths network, in around 24 hours. Events like the LDWA’s annual 100 and other distances (50 miles, 100 km) have since the 1970s been the precursor of today’s popular trail runs.”

Starting in 1973, annual LDWA trail 100-mile events were hosted each year at different locations on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. These trail 100s, could be classified as mountain trail 100s. They were mostly off-road hikes that did not have to walked according to racewalking rules. Running or jogging was permitted, so they were not Centurion walking events. Finish cutoff times for the 100-milers were eventually established at 48 hours. Some elite British ultrarunners would take part running, seeking to be the first to the finish line.

Each walker (or runner) was required to walk with small packs containing certain items, such as the course description, maps, waterproof jacket, clothing layers, hat, gloves, compass, whistle, flashlight, bivi bag, and a first aid kit. Many checkpoints (aid stations) were set up with food and drink between about 5-10 miles apart. At the checkpoints along the course, marshals checked the walkers and could pull out anyone over-fatigued or behind schedule. Medical staff were at checkpoints to evaluate runners and help them fix their feet. All such conventions were devised years before the Americans established their trail 100-milers and aid stations.

The founders of the LDWA were Alan Blatchford (1936-1980),