Bernard Hanley made a return to race walking after a break of some 30 years when he competed in the Hampshire County 3000 metres track walk in Portsmouth, England. Bernie, who is a coach at the Guernsey Island Amateur Athletic Club was in England with a large party of athletes from the island for the Championships, so some time ago decided to have a go at the walk.
Probably disappointed with his time, he finished in 3rd place in the mens walk with a time of 20.45.6, two minutes behind the second man home Roger Osgood of Havant. Winner of the event was regular visitor to Guernsey Jim Ball from Steyning AC in a time of 14.53.7. Jim reckons this must be around his 50th county walk title when taking the 10,000 metres track walk and 10 miles road walk Championships into consideration.
Reproduced here is a photo from the local Press, showing Bernie Hanley in 1980 leading the way in a one mile road walk. Sarnia Walking Club Secretary Karen Sheppard is number 38.
Mens Hampshire County result 3,000 metres
| 1 | Jim Ball | M45 | Steyning | 14:53.7* | manual | |
| 2 | Roger Osgood | M65 | Havant | 18:52.5* | ||
| 3 | Bernard Hanley | M40 | Guernsey Island | 20:45.6* | ||
| 4 | Mark Cawte | M40 | Swindon Harriers | 21:50.1* |
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