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TRAILWALKER
2006 |
Oxfam |
The Chelsea Fishmonger |
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Just a recap of the event status. Trailwalker is a 100 kilometre (62.5 Mile) trek, for teams of four (1700 participants), across the sunny South Downs of England, from Petersfield to Brighton. Teams have to complete the challenge in less than 30 hours - with a little help from their support teams, Oxfam, and the Gurkhas. The event, originally organised by the Gurkhas, now with support from Oxfam, is undertaking with the purpose of raising money for The Gurkha Welfare Trust and Oxfam related fund raisers. The team can safely say that was bloody
hard work!! As a group of four with Chris, Wayne and Sian, I have been
in training for the Oxfam – Gurkhas Trust Trailwalker 2006 for nearly
four months. Countless steps across London, Essex and Hertfordshire attempting
to gain some level of fitness finally paid off when the team crossed the
finish line at 12:47 on Sunday lunchtime. I would like to point out that
I now realise no amount of training can prepare someone for the sheer
scale of 62.5 miles accending the height of Ben Nevis. |
So how did our team perform? We left Queen Elizabeth Country Park at 10:00am (nearer to 10:15 after speeches from Oxfam et al.), the final designated starting slot and hoping to finish the walk in 22-24 hours. The runners left at 6:00am and I understand, although not confirmed, one team of Gurkhas finished in 10 hours (slackers). Unfortunately for us, two stages past halfway, it become obvious our target was a little unrealistic therefore helping each other through the stages became a priority. Target times are supplied for each stage completion (this does, however, not include any rest time at checkpoints or within stages) with our team holding to 18 hour pace, or slightly better, in all 5 stages to the halfway checkpoint. We reached this checkpoint at around 21:00. After a longish food stop we completed stages 6 and 7, the first night stages, efficiently. Our early pace, which I now understand to be one of the main reasons for team fatigue, a very cold night, and some very bad feet suddenly struck at checkpoint 7, Devils Dyke. |
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Gurkha cuisine at checkpoint 7, Devils Dyke. This section earns the name due the great big hill you have to climb before descending all the way only to rise back to the top. Not so good on the legs. Team - front left Wayne, rear left Chris, Rear Right Sion, Front Right Mat.
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This was my lowest point
as the cold wind stiffened my calf muscles which I didn’t mange
to loosen until the last stage. Chris and Sion we both suffering with
very bad feet and Wayne, although keeping up a remarkable pace, was also
beginning to wear his feet down to stubs. It was pointed out the following
day by the support crew that the team’s moral was the lowest at
any point through out the event. Guess it didn’t help with the Gurkhas
hot meal – never go to a Nepalese restaurant and order pasta! I
certainly struggled through the next stage as this was the first time
throughout the walk I had not been able to sustain Wayne’s pace. |
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Two shots from the top of checkpoint 8. A relief for
me to get to this point after my worst stage. Also a relief to remove
the head torches and walk with light. |
To indicate how the team
had slowed we completed stage 9, a brutal 13km (8 mile) in 3hrs 49min,
1hr 25mins over the 18 hour pace the team had held up until stage 7. At
this point we had only two stages to complete under ever increasing temperatures.
A mere 6 miles left, when in context of the whole walk is small, however,
hanging over checkpoint 9 was another hill with no energy left to ascend
it. |
Ready to leave checkpoint 9 for the final charge. |
Another fantastic Gurkha tent. Dam good eggs the lot of them. |
The final hill to checkpoint 10.
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We finally crossed the
finish line in unison at 12:47, giving us a time of 26 hours 24 minutes.
The second half taking a lazy 5 hours 5 minutes longer. Just some statistics
left to share, and those who know me may suggest my main aim was to gather
these. 425 teams started, 203 finished with all four members. Our team
finished 116th after starting in 425th. Yes, we started last due to a
little tight time keeping. Our team managed a combined total of 502000
steps burning approximately 28800 calories. The total event took us 26
hours and 24 minutes with a walking time of just over 19 hours. The first
half we completed in 10 hours 45 minutes and then struggled through the
second in 15 hours 40 minutes. |
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| I would now like to thank, on behalf of the team, everyone
who has helped make this wacky weekend possible.
Firstly, our two support crews whom without we would still be lost somewhere on the south downs. Many thanks to Shashi and Carolyn who were our day support team and Vicky and Jo who took the unenviable night slot. Invaluable probably underestimates their contribution. Our Family and Friends who offered support and sponsorship throughout the months running up to the day. The amazing interest, support and encouragement I personally received from the businesses of Chelsea Green and would like to individually thank the following: This Works, Charlie at The Pie Man, Real, Aelia Laelia, The Gents from John D Wood, Christine Schnell, Finns and Rex at The Chelsea Fishmonger. Additionally, the incredible generosity of our customers of The Chelsea Fishmonger and the residents of Chelsea Green and the surrounding area whom together helped to team raise nearly £3000. A big thanks to all those at Investment Property Databanket, the work place of my three team member, who supported with sponsorship. And finally a massive thanks to all the efforts of 28th Epping Forest Scout pack who undertook there own mini Trailwalker and raised and amazing £200 for our team. So another adventure over, Everest next year. Best Wishes to all and many thanks Mat Couchman, Chris Gilbert, Sion lewis and Wayne Scott (100km out of our depth, Team number 216)
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