I HAVE just read a new wonderful book, The Star Walk Reflections & Records 1922-2000, by Malcolm Ayton and would urge anyone who took part in the Star Walk to go along to The Star and buy it. It brought back many wonderful memories of over 25 years of taking part.
Thanks to The Star Walk, I met some wonderful walkers, including John Warmurst, Les Morton, John Eddershaw, Brenda and Vicky Lupton, John Dowling and Norman Hopkinson, to name just a few and, of course, chief judge Jim Mackwood and The Star's very own, the late Peter Gray.
Over the year, I made many friends along the route, wonderful memories that will live for ever. The following poem is my tribute to a great sporting event.
Every One A Winner Little did I know as I lined up that day
That this was the last Star Walk
As we were sent on our way.
Twenty-five times in The Star Walk
It's been a part of me,
A wonderful spectacle for all to see.Start at The Star and down High Street we go,
Keep your back straight, don't forget to heel and toe,
Infirmary Road on to Middlewood Road.
A few miles into the race,
Trying so hard to keep up with the pace.On to Leppings Lane
Past Wednesday's ground with a new
Burst of energy you've suddenly found.
Halifax Road and we are going flat out uphill
But the leaders have gone past as if
We were standing still.Turn at the Norfolk Arms and down Whiteley Lane we go
Keep the tempo high, can't afford to go slow.
Church Street at Ecclesfield we are now at eight mile
Keep going, keep going, never mind the style.The great crowds in Ecclesfield
Cheering all the walkers on
Even though the leaders have long since gone.
On we go now we've got to get this right
As the dreaded Barnsley Road hill comes into sight.With lungs bursting as you go over the top
No time to catch your breath or to stop.
Longley Lane, Herries Drive, you are going well
How will you finish? Only time will tell.Herries Road, Penistone Road turn into Hillsborough Park
And you've tried so hard to make your mark.
Onto the athletics track and your senses are reeling
But you've finished The Star Walk, a wonderful feeling.
John Burkhill (Super John, Sheffield's mad walker with the pram).Do you have memories of the Star Walk that you would like to share? Click here to email and we'll put them on the website.READ MORETHE DIARY: Why tattooed artist Franko has had a bellyful. PICTUREa>
Back to main news index.Latest sport.The full article contains 466 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
