Tom Bosworth was, in his words “little more than rubbish but wanted to keep fit". In truth he was not much better at this either. In his first race, he finished last. He came back the following week, but finished last again. He kept coming back.

Tom and the club decided to put on the race as a way of saying thank you to those who first supported him at the beginning of his career, like first coach Peter Selby. With many former athletes, friends and family turning out to watch. 

The race itself was a 3000m, as Bosworth holds the world record for the 3000m outdoors (10:43.84) set in the Olympic Stadium in London on Jul. 21, 2018 in front of a vociferous home crowd. Today he won in a time of 11:41.18. 

In a tweet on Sunday, Bosworth said: "It's not about times or medals, this is a thank you."

The race including a range of novice to international athletes, second place was Guy Thomas and in third was Luc Legon. 

Tom said after the race “It was a perfect way to finish my career, back where it all started. I wanted to end on a race like this, as it was similar to the type of races I started with. It shows how welcoming and diverse race walking is with the age range from U13’s to masters athletes all competing together. It was perfect”. 

Twenty-one years later from when I first joined the club. I never dreamed any of this was possible, I followed by sister into the club, for purely fun and fitness. I never put a limit on what I could achieve but I never thought I’d achieve what I have. Hopefully along the way I’ve given race walking a little more coverage it might not have got in the past and shown a few people that some can walk as fast as people run.”

Twenty-one athletes competed on a warm afternoon race, with a large crowd gathered to see Bosworth complete his final race. 

Tom was awarded a life time membership award by the club.

Risultati Ufficiali - Official results

From today Marcia dal Mondo has moved Tom Bosworth's most important results report to our Hall of Fame - International Athletes.