Sunday February 28th 2016
Rob Waterman, five times the Club Champion, was one of the first members of the Sarnia Walking Club. He started walking in the mid 60`s taking in the Church walk as well as racing in the GIAAC walks in 1964, improving steadily and helping the SWC to their team win in the “Garnet” 10 miles in 1967.
From 1968 to 1971 Rob was the Guernsey Sarnia Walking Club Champion, as well as winning the Eric Waldron Trophy 3 times, the 7 mile Chilcott Cup in under 54 minutes, the Val Des Terres Hill Climb, the North Regatta walk and a West Show 20 miles.
In 1969 he walked in the 6 mile Chippenham event, and scored the 2nd of his 4 wins in the 5 miles Sark walk. Sark being a car free island a short boat trip from Guernsey.
In 1970 he failed to gain selection for the 20 miles Commonwealth Games walk but went as coach to the 3 selected walkers and on his return scored his only victory in the Church Walk beating Dave Dorey by 4 and a half minutes in 2 hours 52 minutes 53 seconds. Photos left finishing in 1970 Church to Church and right at Longfrie in 1971 Church to Church.
In 1971 with junior walkers coming through Rob organized regular training sessions for the youngsters as well as helping out future walkers such as Rob Elliott.
During 1973 Rob won the 50 kms walk in just outside 5 hours and had a win in the West Show 20 miles followed by 3rd behind visitors Dave Rosser and Guernsey’s John Moullin in the Church to Church walk in a personal best of 2.51.27 which was good enough for him to gain selection for the 1974 New Zealand Commonwealth Games, backing up his races earlier in the year including winning the bronze medal in the Hampshire 10 miles walk.
Almost finishing his preparations for Christchurch in the early months of 74 Rob walked under 46 minutes in the popular 6 miles Chippenham walk in the October of 73.
Rob walked to an 11th place in the 20 miles walk at the Games recording a time of 3 hours 00 mins 14 secs, slower than his best but a fine walk in the heat of New Zealand.
On return his domination of island walks was coming to an end with the emergence of Mick Elliott who was improving by every race up to 10 miles in distance and young Andy Le Heron. Rob lost out on the championship to Elliott, and in his last Church walk finished 3rd.
One of his final races was in the Chippenham to Calne 6 miles where the SWC were victorious where he finished in 8th position, one behind Elliott in 47 minutes. Rob retired soon afterwards from the walking scene leaving behind him impressive times including:
1 mile 6.52
3 kms 13.42
5 kms 23.05
7 miles in 53.42
10 miles 77.34
20 kms 103.54
20 miles 2.52.48
50 kms 5.00.40.
The 6 miles Milestones Walk was introduced by Waterman and is known as the Rob Waterman Trophy, whist the long established Hill Climb Shield, still competed for today was made by Rob.
