Product Description

On 1st June 1809 Captain Robert Barclay undertook what was then the greatest sporting feat ever attempted - to walk 1000 miles in 1000 hours for 1000 guineas. Six weeks later, exhausted and on the verge of collapsing, he completed his challenge and instantly became the most famous sporting figure of Regency times. Gentleman, pugilist, athlete, trainer and soldier - Captain Barclay's life was reckless, extravagant and thrilling. Enormous sums of money were won and lost on him and he himself earned several fortunes, though he was to die in deranged poverty. His remarkable story opens a window on the world of 18th century sport - a rough, dangerous and often corrupt world driven by money.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #337957 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

About the Author
Peter Radford is one of Britain's leading sports historians. He is Professor of Sport Sciences at Brunel University. In 1960 he was a double medalist at the Olympics in Rome. His British record for the 100 metres remained unbeaten for 20 years.

Customer Reviews

I had been waiting for this book for several years.
Barclay's first serious preparation for a walking event was done in the county of Yorkshire, England, at Oulston between Boroughbridge and Easingwold. The actual wager; to walk ninety miles in twenty-one and a half hours was completed at Barmby Moor on the road between York and Hull in November 1801, for a stake of 5,000 guineas. The event was timed by six stopwatches in a sealed box, so much money depended on the outcome. It was said that as much as 100,000 guineas changed hands in side bets during the event. I have had an interest in Robert Barclay for some years but could find little significant information. Many people if asked about him might say that '...he was the man who walked 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours'. A few might say that '... he was the man who walked one mile in 1,000 successive hours'. The '1,000 miles, 1,000 hours' wager- for all of these pedestrian competitions were driven by wagers-was:

...that he could walk one mile every hour of every day and every night-without a break-Sundays included, for 1,000 hours, for a wager of 1,000 guineas.

It was completed on 9 July 1809 on Newmarket Heath, England.

My want of knowledge of the man was finally satisfied in August 2001when I bought in Edinburgh, Professor Peter Radford's book The Celebrated Captain Barclay. The book had only been published twelve days earlier and to me the first chapter was worth the price as it tells in detail of the 1,000 mile event.
The author, Professor Radford is Professor of Sports Sciences at Brunel University, London, and may be remembered by some as the sprinter who won two medals in the 1960 Olympic Games and was the World record holder over 200 metres. As one would expect, this book written by a professor, has been thoroughly researched and includes over eight hundred notes and references, a comprehensive bibliography including the Barclay family papers, and a complete index.
The book is produced in hardback, is pleasing to handle and exceptionally well set out, which makes it a pleasure to own as well as to read. The book not only records remarkable athletic feats but also is a history of a slice of regency Britain. The writing on pedestrianism and wagers is intertwined with Pugilism and coach driving, and the characters taking part. Barclay was greatly involved with both of these, sparring and organising, and refereeing fights in the Prize Ring.
I have long believed that feats of endurance and strength performed in the past must have greatly surpassed anything that is now done. Professor Radford proves that in this work. At this period, it seems that almost anyone at the drop of a hat, would set off and walk one hundred miles. In addition to walking long distances and running for wagers, Barclay walked for enjoyment, walking for distances of hundreds of miles in preference to travelling on horseback or by coach, and walking twenty miles a day around his estates when he was at home.
Robert Barclay Allardice (Allardice was Barclay's mothers family name which his father had added at marriage as an acknowledgement of land which came with the alliance), was the Laird of Ury with estates near Aberdeen, Scotland. Many of his forebears had been capable of great feats of endurance and strength. As a young man Barclay became one of the Fancy, that loose association of royalty, aristocracy and gentry for whom the only reason for sport was as a means to enable them to gamble. They used less fortunate men and women, as they would race horses or dogs to race or fight for their gratification. Although, it must be acknowledged that some of them took part in pedestrian events themselves in pursuit of wagers, turning in quite worthwhile performances. Sparring and training with prize-fighters was also a fashionable way of life. Many of Barclay's associates in the Fancy died before the age of thirty, or suffered some other fate related to their dissolute life style, this caused him to reflect and to some extent change his way of life.
I felt as though I had been waiting for years for this book to be written and enjoyed reading it so much that I rationed myself to a chapter a day, so that I could savour it. Interest, for me, slacked slightly in the second half of the book dealing with Barclay's later life, after the excitement of his competitive years.
Anyone who has undertaken a long walk or other endurance event, or even considered doing one from an armchair, will read this book with appreciation.

The Celebrated Captain Barclay
Two hundred years ago on the 12th July Captain Barclay completed his 1000miles walk in Newmarket. This is being re enacted at the moment by national hunt jockey Richard Dunwoody. I have purchased most of the books I could find for the team who are looking after Richard and I must say I am pleased with the purchases from Amazon. They are in very good condition and will be very welcome from the Team.
Thank you