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Completing this event meant that Chelle Armour from Norfolk & Suffolk group had successfully finished 20 LDWA 100s. That’s quite an achievement, these events are never easy and they require physical and mental strength to complete. It’s very easy to give up when feet are hurting, tiredness sets in and it all becomes too much, but Chelle is tough and it’s a remarkable thing to complete twenty of them. Here is she is being awarded her 20th LDWA 100 certificate by Peter Jull, this year’s event organiser.

This was Sunday evening when it was still light and around have the entrants had passed through this checkpoint at Halstead.

It was calm and quiet at the checkpoint, but at this stage of the event it was more usual for groups to arrive at the same time so there were long periods of quiet and then a sudden rush.

Ken arriving in just as it was starting to get dark.

And a positively enthusiastic Simon.

And then Claire arrived, she was going to be doing the sweeping on the route to ensure that everyone got in safely. I think it’s fair to say that those walkers were in very safe hands, she’s very competent is Claire.

Darkness had definitely descended now and we thought we’d walk out a short distance to meet up with Jane and Hilary.

And there they are.

Hilary had a little sit down and micro-sleep, whilst Jane had a think about why she was doing this event, before claiming once again that it would definitely be her last.

And Helen, another one looking far too jovial, but I didn’t say anything.

Very many thanks to all the checkpoint volunteers who tolerated us being there for an hour or so, and also giving me an entire box of Yum Yums as they had too many of them.

And that was the end of the event for me, I went back to Meopham as I didn’t want to miss my last train (well, bus replacement) back to Chatham. But, a few more posts about other people to come 🙂

This is Sundridge church which was on the route of the 100, but more about this and other local history things in other posts. We decided to set up here as an extra little checkpoint for Jane and Hilary, as Simon and I are really very pro-active in offering assistance.

There were some beautiful views from the churchyard and just in sight here are Jane and Hilary who were looking really rather positive.

And still smiling!

The next stop for Simon and I was to checkpoint 10 at Ide Hill Village Hall.

That’s not a bad view from a checkpoint with the lake in the distance.

Simon and Ken were safely inside and were both looking in good shape whilst being supported by the quite marvellous team of volunteers.

We walked back a little way along the route and Bailey was excited to see Jane and Hilary.

Helen looked in fine form as she strode in and Jane pondered whether to look at her feet (her own feet I mean, not Helen’s). Helen has been involved with creating this route and so she knew what was coming and that seemed to involve a lot of hills.

Simon and I enjoyed a trifle whilst waiting for the next group as all this being supportive is really quite exhausting.

And in comes the really rather heroic Jayne.

This checkpoint was at the seventy mile mark and so although there was a long way still left, entrants could start to feel that they’d broken the back of the walk (as long as they hadn’t done any breaking to bits of their own body). The sun was out, but it wasn’t overly hot and so the walking conditions had improved. There was still some damage done from the heat and humidity of the previous day and night, but at least the second night would be more comfortable for the entrants.

Whilst I’m thinking about it, and I know that entrants might have other things on their mind at the moment, but here are some details of next year’s event. The Jurassic 100 which is being organised by the Cornwall & Devon group and will take place on the second May Bank Holiday in 2027.

It’s day two and I’ve popped back into HQ. Everything felt calm and organised, the first finisher was a few hours away, but there were retirees starting to return back.

I was pleased to be the first taste tester of the bean stew that is one of the options for finishers. I decided to have two portions to properly test it and it was suitably delicious. There was also the option of scrambled egg with bacon, along with fruit salad and numerous other options for those who fancied something different. Walkers on LDWA events don’t go hungry.

Elaine and Andy, both didn’t make the full distance this year but they were very brave.

And Madeleine was back as well, she also didn’t quite do the distance. With that, it was time for me to tour a couple more checkpoints.

Simon and I arrived at Cowden Memorial Hall, which is the fourth checkpoint.

Simon would make a great Deliveroo driver.

And the walkers discovered that this was also where the kit check was taking place.

Jane passed the kit check I’m pleased to say.

The Norfolk & Suffolk group were pleased with their McDonald’s, which was a great relief to the Deliveroo driver.

Feet were getting sore for many walkers now, the wet conditions hadn’t helped arrangements.

And Madeleine came in like a gazelle.

The kit check works by the entrants turning over a random card and then having to produce the item listed to prove that they’re carrying it. Madeleine had to prove that she was carrying a whistle and I’m pleased to say that she was easily able to do so.

And that was that for me for a few checkpoints, I was returning to Chatham to then start visiting more checkpoints and HQ if possible.

Some of the Norfolk & Suffolk brigade wanted McDonald’s at checkpoint 4. Simon and I didn’t complain, we went to go and reccy an outlet for them. But we don’t expect praise for our efforts, it’s just something that we felt we had to do to be supportive to the event. And photos of them eating theirs at checkpoint 4 are coming up just to show that our hard work wasn’t in vain.