Richard Manks: The Victorian 1,000 mile ‘ultra walker’
Long before Backyard Ultras became a thing, the sport of pedestrianism caught the imagination of endurance sport fans
In running circles, it is stated that the original backyard ultra is Big Dog's Backyard Ultra.
Launched in 2011 and the brainchild of Gary ‘Lazarus Lake’ Cantrell - he of Barkley Marathons fame, Big’s sees participants run a 4.167-mile loop every hour. If they fail to do so, they are eliminated with the winner being the runner who completes a loop no other competitor is able to finish in the timeframe.
The format has grown in popularity, with Australian Phil Gore setting a formidable world record of 119 loops totalling 495.8 miles (797.9km) at the Dead Cow Gully event in Queensland, Australia in June this year.
But the concept isn’t actually as new and shiny as some may think.
In fact, it possesses many of the traits of the oft-forgotten Victorian sport of pedestrianism, where walkers powered by roast beef, mutton and brandy would conquer huge distances and be cheered to the finish by stadiums full of adoring fans.
Perhaps the King of the Pedestrians was Richard Manks. In October 1851, this walker par excellence completed one thousand miles in 500 hours.
No less a publication than the Illustrated London News said Manks’ “feats of walking present instances of the capability and endurance of the human frame altogether unparalleled”.
Known as the Warwickshire Antelope, Manks was one of a succession of walkers who marched incredible distances. The leading light among these was Scotsman Robert Barclay Allardice, or ‘Captain Barclay,’ who walked 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours in 1809.
Barclay had a long history of exceptional walking performances, including taking on what was described as a “very muddy” 110 miles in 19-and-a-half hours in 1801 - a time many modern ultra runners would be very proud of.
But even his efforts were eclipsed by Manks.
Taking pedestrianism to new levels:
A bricklayer from Solihull, Richard Manks had been a middle distance runner who had moved into pedestrianism as he got older.
In 1850, he completed his first 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours effort, the same challenge completed by Captain Barclay and by then known as a ‘Barclay Match’.
By June 1851, he had taken his walking exploits to the next level. At Sheffield’s Barrack Tavern Grounds he walked three consecutive ‘matches’, each tougher than the previous one. These consisted of:
1,000 quarter miles in a thousand consecutive quarter hours, equating to 250 miles in 10 days and 10 hours
1,000 half miles in a thousand consecutive half hours, a total of 500 miles in 20 days and 20 hours
A conventional Barclay Match of one thousand miles in a thousand consecutive hours
This meant in all Manks walked a mind-boggling 1,750 miles in 72 days and 22 hours.
And so to September 1851, when he arrived at the Kennington Oval in London, home of Surrey Cricket Club, with the intention of walking 1,000 miles in 500 hours.
Manks’ trials and tribulations on his way to pedestrianism glory might well sound familiar to seasoned ultra runners.
The Illustrated News reported that an initial attempt had to be aborted when our sporting hero suffered a sudden attack of diarrhoea after ‘just’ 129 miles. He was placed under medical supervision for a fortnight, but undaunted recommenced his task on October 10, 1851.
Along the way, he faced periods of horrendous weather, including a full day of typically British rain, followed by another heavy downpour on a later night which led many to be “apprehensive that the almost worn-out pedestrian would not be able to complete his task”.
Despite “severely blistered” feet and suffering great pain, Manks battled onwards after a surgeon ordered them to be poulticed.
The parallels between modern ultra running and Manks’ pedestrianism pursuits can also be seen in his reaction to the suffering so often associated with endurance sport.
The Illustrated News report reveals how at one point he declared “that never again will I attempt such a frightful feat”.
And it goes on: “At half-past two o'clock on Friday morning he refused to rise, cried like a child, and said to the timekeeper, ‘I shall walk no more,’ asking, ‘Do you want to kill me?’ But he at length was induced to persevere unto the finish.”
A hearty nutrition plan and raucous support:
If many of Manks’ experiences during his Kennington Oval exploits mirror that of today’s runners - including that he eventually walked 11 miles, seven furlongs and 100 yards beyond the stipulated 1,000 miles due to a quirk in the course measurement - there are some notable differences.
Nutrition has certainly evolved since then, with no gels or electrolytes in place to aid Manks’ superhuman sojourn.
Instead, he enjoyed food including game and poultry, roast beef and steaks, mutton, and chops. He also drank a considerable amount of strong beef tea and old ale, while he would add brandy to his tea during the night.
But that wasn’t the most exceptional contrast. While many modern day elite ultra runners are still be found somewhat on the periphery of overall sporting popularity, Manks was a hero of the age.
Indeed, he completed his remarkable deed in the presence of more than 3,000 spectators, besides a great crowd outside the Oval.
Even the great Lazarus Lake can only dream of such noteriety.
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