Foster Powell (1734–15 April 1793) was the first notable exponent of long-distance walking known as pedestrianism [1] and has been called "the first English athlete of whom we have any record". [2] Powell started the focus on walking/running for six days and is considered the “Father of the Six-Day Race.” [3]
Life
Powell was baptized in Horsforth in 1734, and moved to London in 1762 where he worked as a lawyer's clerk. [1] [4] In 1764 he began his pedestrian career by wagering that he could walk 50 miles in 7 hours, which he accomplished on the Bath Road. [5] He became a national celebrity, but made very little money from walking, which he treated as a hobby, and died in relative poverty at the age of 59 on 15 April 1793. [2] [4] He was buried at St Faith's Church in St Paul's Cathedral Churchyard, after a walking funeral procession. [4] [5]
Feats
In 1773 he walked 400 miles from London to York and back, and in 1788 walked 100 miles in 21 hours 35 minutes. He also ran 2 miles in 10 minutes. [4]
References
- ^ a b Charles G. Harper (1922) The Great North Road: London to York 2nd edn Cecil Palmer, London
- ^ a b Arthur Mee (1941) The King's England: Yorkshire West Riding (Hodder & Stoughton, London) pp190–1
- ^ The Six-Day Race – Part 1: The Birth (1773-1870)
- ^ a b c d Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, accessed 3 July 2016
- ^ a b Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 46: Powell, Foster
External links
