The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Walking Race
Participants come in all shapes and sizes to pound the streets of York and beguile the crowds with an eclectic range of pedestrianistic styles.
From the collection of:
Overview
A big turnout of both participants and onlookers for a highly competitive walking race in York in the 1930s. A sport for the common people – any age, any kit, anywhere and it costs nothing – that at one time was the most popular sport in England. With the determination seen here on the faces of the pedestrious contestants, going "fair heel and toe", it is no wonder that it inspired so much enthusiasm.
Although race walking, “pedestrianism”, dates back in England to the eighteenth century, it wasn’t until 1866 that the first Amateur Walking Championship took place, and were included in the first A.A.A. Championships in 1880. It was included as an event in the Intercalated Olympic Games of 1906 and the London Olympic Games of 1908, won by a Brighton policeman. The first Women’s Amateur Athletic Association track championship was held in 1923 (although women’s walking was not included in the Olympic Games until 1992). Note that some of the participants don’t seem to be adhering to the basic rules of continuous contact with the ground and straightness of the knee of the advancing leg.
Related
Watch for free
Flashing Blades Flashing Blades
Sport 1948 9 mins Silent
Tricky weather conditions cause some spills in the downhill and ski jumping at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St Moritz.
Watch for free
The Wheelchair Olympians The Wheelchair Olympians
Documentary 1983 25 mins Location: Cleckheaton
With the Paralympics even more marginalised than today, these athletes show great determination, dedication, camaraderie and humility.
Watch for free
Mining Review 22nd Year No. 1 Mining Review 22nd Year No. 1
1968 3 mins
We're off! Olympic training on the streets of Mansfield as local boy John Whetton prepares for the 1968 Mexico City games.
Watch for free
Women's Olympiad Women's Olympiad
Non-Fiction 1924 3 mins Silent Location: Fulham
British "girl athletes" prove themselves in competition with women from around the world at Stamford Bridge.
Watch for free
Diving and Swimming Diving and Swimming
1926 14 mins Silent
Special effects galore in this demonstration of fancy swimming and diving, featuring Olympic medallist Belle White.
Watch for free
Olga Olga
Sport 1973 54 mins
A rare insight into gymnast Olga Korbut's life at the height of her fame, showing the discipline it takes to be an Olympic champion.
Watch for free
This Is York This Is York
Travelogue 1953 21 mins Location: York
The Stationmaster at York guides us through a typical day, from dawn to dusk.
Watch for free
Alarm Call Alarm Call
Advert 1955 2 mins Location: York
A drink for all occasions, but especially to relieve the stress of those brave souls battling fires, floods and well-behaved children.
Watch for free
Kit Kat: Meccano Kit Kat: Meccano
1969 0 mins Location: York
Any boy struggling to construct Meccano will deserve a chocolate break, though perhaps this won’t be as satisfying as completing the Meccano.
Watch for free
Rowntrees Aero: Train Rowntrees Aero: Train
Advert 1980 1 mins Location: York
The bar with unique bubbly texture, using a secret bubbly formula, giving rise to the bubbly banter of bubbly flirting.
Watch for free
Dairy Box: Skiffle Cellar Dairy Box: Skiffle Cellar
Advert 1958 1 mins Location: York
Out goes the romantic gesture and in comes the hip as Una Stubbs and her fellow cats break open the chocolates in a groovy scene in a groovy club.
Watch for free
Black Magic: Taxi Black Magic: Taxi
1964 1 mins Location: York
Chocolates and wealth, chocolates and taste, chocolates and elegance, chocolates and romance: the lifestyle of chocolates.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.