My name is Len Durkin and I was born in Liverpool on 16 July 1935. From a very early age I found that I loved running, encouraged by winning races at Primary school. In 1950 I left school and started work at a printing establishment in Liverpool. A couple of years later I changed jobs and worked at a tin box factory ten miles away, and kept fit by cycling daily the twenty miles return trip to work. Crawfords had an annual sports day, and because I could run the distances with ease, won the mile, was'3rd in the half mile and 2nd in the quarter mile race against other factories in Liverpool. National Service call-up was still in operation at that time, and in 1953 I joined the East Lancashire Regiment, ending up in Dusseldorf after initial training at Preston. Every Friday, a battalion cross-country run saw over 1100 men taking part, and I consistently finished first over distances ranging from 5 to 9 miles, mostly as a result of the spartan army life making everyone fit and healthy and of course we were all very young men. I became cross-country champion for two years, and winner of the mile and 3000 metre races. After demob, and returning home I joined Pembroke Harriers in 1955 and began running and training longer distances. In1957 I changed jobs and joined the Mersey Tunnel (only one crossing from Liverpool to Birkenhead at the time). Shortly afterwards in 1959 I married and moved to Wallasey and shortly after began my long and happy association with Wallasey Athletic Club.
I found running in races for the athletic club much more competitive and faster, but just as enjoyable. By then of course, long distance running meant both cross-country and road running, and I found that I could combine the two easily with beach and country all within easy reach of Wallasey. Mostly I ran alone, as shift work meant that I couldn't attend regular club training sessions, but I did manage to represent Wallasey in various races, notably the Pembroke 20 and the Bebington 15 a number of times. Also, I competed in several marathons (the Liverpool Marathon and the Milk Marathon) as well as road races of 10, 15 and 20 miles. In those days all competitions were run according to the Amateur Athletic Association's rules with no thoughts of sponsoring for charities and all competitors having to finish the course within a specified time to qualify as having finished the run! From 1955 I calculate that I have run a total of around 50,533 miles, but started to keep a daily record from 1965 onwards. Whenever we went on holiday, as a family or just myself and my wife, I always managed a run of some sort, and now have photos to prove that Americans, Germans and many other European people have seen the Wallasey Athletic running kit in their midst.
The photo shows number 26 Len Durkin at the start of the Liverpool Marathon on 1th July 1967.
Bob's enthusiasm, allied to that of Carl Gee was responsible, in no small way, for the success of the Club during the late 1950s and the 1960s both over the country and particularly in road races. Also most memorable and enjoyable were the training weekends at Lilleshall arranged by Carl and the weekends to Denbighshire, thanks to John Edwards. For many years, winter and summer, John made the journey from his hill farm in North Wales in order to attend monthly Committee meetings. I was especially fortunate to be a member of the Club's Road Racing Team together with Pete White, Ron Barlow and Brian Woolford when we scored victories over the strongest clubs in the country - Southampton (Bruce Tulloh and Martyn Hyman), Blackpool (Gerry and Geoff North, Brian McCaig), Bolton and Tipton Harriers Waterloo Road Race with 3 counters in the first 11 home in a field of 350 was just one highlight. Team success was also achieved in winning the Cheshire and L&D Cross Country Championships on more than one occasion.
The photo shows Len (extreme right) at a road relay race in New Brighton on 7th June 1969
I retired from the Mersey Tunnel in 1997, and because of various health issues, have had to curtail my running, but still have a keen interest in the sport, and of course Wallasey Athletic Club in particular. Keeping fit is even more important, and now I have a daily workout, varying from taichi, yoga and meditation to gym work and cycling. Being a member of the Northern Veterans (now Master Athletes- anyone over the age of 40) keeps me in touch with news about senior runners, so although I don't compete these days, I still feel in touch with the running world
My name is Betty Durkin and I am married to Len. This is a short description of life with a husband and father who was also a runner.
Until I married, the main recreation of all the males in my family was football, either watching or playing, sometimes both. It was a great surprise to find that Len wasn't bothered when he missed the Liverpool match, although he did support them. From supporting Liverpool Football Club, I then took to watching and cheering on Len, especially when he was a member of the Wallasey Athletic Club. As a family, we would go along to see him run, especially if it was local, and he grew to be a familiar sight running along the prom from Seacombe, at any time of the day depending on work.
The subject of running was always a good topic of conversation. People would often begin a sentence to him with "haven't I seen you running in Greasby/Moreton/Birkenhead?" (anywhere really), and to me with "Aren't you married to the man who runs around in the red vest?" It was good to know that I was recognised for something, but many thought that I was also a mine of information for the sport and I wasn't.
Our children became used to seeing their Dad come home bursting through the door, panting and steaming after a long run. It was a daily occurrence and they grew very blasé about him running everywhere, whereas other dads were playing football, golf or just watching telly, as running in those days was very much a minority sport, not attracting the media's attention, especially marathon running.
Looking back we had a lot of fun with Len being a runner, not least because of the many amusing incidents he sometimes met. Once in Ross on Wye, the police apprehended him as he had been seen near a burning barn (where would he keep his matches dry?). He had to make a statement and of course was cleared.
On another occasion, I took the children to my friend's caravan in North Wales. Len decided to come along as far as Queensferry, in running kit, and then run home from there. Much to the astonishment of the other motorists, our car pulled over and out popped a man in red shorts and vest. He then ran home via Thurstaston and West Kirby to our home in Seacombe. He has run home from Chester many times, after completing a lap of the racecourse each time, all in the name of fitness and mileage.
The influence of all this activity has not been lost on the family. To me it's almost like a relay race where the baton is passed from person to person, but in our family's case the baton is passed from generation to generation in the form of keeping fit and well. We all keep fit in our own way (Len's fitness regime is outlined elsewhere), I go to yoga classes and swim whenever possible, our eldest daughter teaches yoga, our second daughter attends the gym, yoga and runs, and our son walks and goes running in the Lake District where he lives. Grandsons also keep fit in various ways by attending gyms but it is the only granddaughter who is the most promising athlete. Granted she is only six, but already has the title of Hurricane Hannah as she moves so fast, and can walk for miles. We're hoping that running and keep fit will remain a part of her life as it has been throughout her grandfather's and all of the family.
The photo shows Len and Pete Lonsdale at the centenary celebrations
