Kentish Express Ashford & District
Plenty to show for a fulfilling career
Race walking
Stephen Holliday has brought the curtain down on his race walking career.
The 68-year old Ashford AC member from Kennington, competed for the final time in April, finishing fourth in the Cecil Gittins Memorial Race 5k at the Cyclopark in Gravesend in a time of 38min 27sec.
Circulation problems affecting his calf muscles have forced him to call it a day but three bags of medals and a heap of press cuttings are testament to his achievements over the years.
Not bad for somebody who only took up the sport ‘for a laugh.’
He said: “It was a hobby, I wanted to meet new people and liked competing.”
Holliday’s first event was in 1968, when then a member of Folkestone AC, he competed in a two-mile race on grass at Rye, finishing in 18.20.
His most cherished possession is his RAF Championship medal won at Cottesmore in 1972.
He spent five years in the service, also competing in Strike Command and Air Support Command Championships.
Fellow walker and Ashford AC coach Chris Hobbs said: “Steve has been unlucky with injuries in the last 10 years but has been a loyal clubman and a great servant to the sport.
The sport’s profile has been raised recently by the exploits of Tonbridge athlete Tom Bosworth who broke down in tears after being disqualified in the 20k walk during the World Championships in London earlier this month, following three red cards.
Holliday, watching at home on television, felt things weren’t going right for Bosworth on the day.
He said: “He didn’t look smooth, it affected his technique, which got picked up by the judges.”