Category: LDWA 100

[I originally posted this in April 2020, but have reposted it in May 2025 to fix a broken image link]

OK, I admit that these aren’t FAQs (frequently asked questions) because no-one has asked them yet. But they might, so I’m ready with the answers as the background to my attempt to walk the 100 in 2021.

Why are you doing the LDWA 100 event?

Because if Simon Hodgin can finish it, it must be doable. And, he’s said he’ll buy me six pints of craft beer if I finish.

The LDWA are?

The Long Distance Walkers Association.

And how many days do you get to complete the 100?

2 days, so 48 hours.

Is this a good idea?

No.

Are you excited?

No.

Why are you doing it?

To annoy Simon Hodgin that he has to buy six pints of craft beer. And, I’ll enjoy the food and drink whilst walking around the 100.

How much training will you need to do?

I drink craft beer on a regular basis.

What about the walking?

The technical minimum is to get a 50-mile qualifying event, but I’ll need to do more than that to feel fit and confident. My 50-mile qualifier is a little out of date, so I do need to get another one, as will Nathan.

Who is Nathan?

Someone who had the opportunity to turn down my plan to walk this 100 with me, then neither of us would have to do it.

Isn’t 100 miles a long way?

Yes, it’s not ideal if I’m being honest.

It must be a great achievement?

Yes, if I finish, my certificate will be mounted (well, blu-tacked) to the wall and I will send copies of it to everyone I know, and quite a few that I don’t.

If you do complete the 100, will you do another one?

No.

Shouldn’t you be more positive about this challenge?

On a more serious note, the LDWA 100 is a great event and is the pinnacle of the organisation’s challenges. I am conscious that this will be very difficult for me, so hopefully if I can work out how I’m going to do this, at least others can see that it’s perhaps more achievable than they might think. However, if I fail, that ruins that plan. We’ll worry about that in May 2021 though when I’ve quit after the first checkpoint as I’m tired.

Is this a physical or mental challenge?

Both. Many people who have completed the walk believe that anyone who has regularly walked 40 or 50 miles should be able to make the step up to the 100, but they have to have the mental attitude to allow that.

Do you have the mental attitude required?

Not really. I’ll work on it.

Are you allowed to drink craft beer at the checkpoints?

Yes.

Are you meant to?

Probably not.

It must be amazing to be able to walk for 48 hours with someone you can trust and can support each other.

Yes, it would be. But, I’m doing it with Nathan. If we can avoid a punch-up we’ll be doing well.

Will you get sleepy?

I think so, the first night at about 3am is apparently difficult, but when sun rises, the mind resets and then it’s just a matter of keeping going. Ideally we won’t take the maximum 48 hours as that takes us through two nights, but it’d be very difficult for us to come in under 44 hours.

What can go wrong?

Absolutely everything.

Medically?

Blisters are a potential problem, but Sudocrem is apparently recommended, as is careful wrapping of the feet and a regular change of socks. I’ll wear knee bandages as well. Hopefully the practice 50-mile events will be guide on what needs fixing before the 100.

Are there two events?

There is a marshals’ 100 and the main 100, on the first and second Bank Holidays in May 2021. We’re hoping, if space permits on the event, to do the former, as we wanted to be marshals for the main event.

What about the weather?

I hate hot weather, but it’s Wales, it’ll likely rain for 48 hours. But if the weather is hot, I’ll have to be careful to drink enough. Ultimately, I never really worry about the weather, just have the appropriate clothing then the rest fits into place.

How many people from Norfolk & Suffolk LDWA group are taking part?

There are probably two others from N&S group doing the marshals’ walk, and around six from N&S group doing the main event.

Isn’t this all a bit self-promotional?

Yes, although I’m the Publicity & Communications Officer of the LDWA, so I’m meant to be promotional. That’s my excuse anyway.

I think I want to read something more motivational.

I would. This is the book by Julie Welch which gives a more erudite and positive account of what is required.

[I originally posted this in April 2020 but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

LDWA 100 in 2021 – What a Lovely Idea

OK, some background first.

So, that’s me. Rugged, determined, brave, courageous and understated. I spent ages finding a suitable photo that wasn’t taken in a pub or a pub beer garden. This one is from the Isle of Skye. I can’t use the ones of me after challenge events, as I look bloody exhausted. Although, to be fair, I look fair done in before I’ve started the challenge events.

That’s Nathan. That photo will do.

Anyway, we’ve had a marvellous idea, which is even better than our GeoGuessr trips (there’s no denying just how carefully we plan everything). OK, we forgot head torches there. And suitable footwear. But, otherwise all was well. Other than we got told off by some landowner and got stuck in mud. That route was around 250 metres.

But, inspired by how we manfully tackled that 250 metres, we are moving onto the next logical step of walking 100 miles. In one go. I can’t really imagine what could possibly go wrong.

I have an impeccable walking record of completing around 20 challenge events, including one fifty-mile event organised by the Essex & Herts group. It would have been more, but I found out that if you volunteer with the LDWA to print the certificates, then you’re placed near the kitchens at the start/end point of the challenge walk. And because the LDWA community is so friendly and helpful, they rarely complain when I pop in to get food. Actually, I’ve sort of been banned from the kitchen in case food stocks are threatened, but there’s no shortage to the sustenance offered.

Anyway, I got distracted there thinking about food. So, as I mentioned, I’ve completed a fifty mile event, and I remember how inspired I felt at the end of that. “I’m never doing that again” were the words I actually uttered, but I think I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the food anyway. Which reminds me of the doughnuts on the Smuggler’s Trod and the BBQ on the Birmingham Canal Canter. The LDWA do food and drink very well.

Nathan hasn’t done any of this, but he works on the principle that if I can do it, so can he. This is the problem with the youth of today.

So, before I drift off the subject matter again, this will be the story in text and video of the practice walks, the qualifying events (yeah, neither of us have done qualification events yet, so that’s another challenge) and the march towards the big day in May 2021. The location of the LDWA 100 walk in 2021 is Wales, postponed from 2020 when sadly the virus thing ruined plans.

The aim is for us, if there’s space on the event (and I’m hoping it’s full, since my attempts to get banned from the event by threatening to eat all the food have already been refused), to complete the Marshals’ Walk for the 2021 100 so that we can both then spend the actual event marshalling and drinking craft beer from Tiny Rebel whilst shouting encouragement at Simon Hodgin as he faffs along the route.

One interesting video was made by Jamie Hearing, which gives some background to the people on the walk. They’ve blocked embedding, but it can be seen at https://vimeo.com/402157343.

The video below was produced by David Morgan, the current national chair of the LDWA, and is from the 2019 Hadrian’s Wall event. He’s one of those inspirational figures who strides up mountains faster than I go when marching along on the travelators at airports. Positive and motivational, his videos capture the wonderful landscapes of the countryside and the characters of the LDWA. Well, just so no-one expects too much from the videos I’ll be crafting this year, I won’t be distracted by that, my videos will feature food and complaining. And probably a video of some bloody sheep that is in the path that stops Nathan and me from progressing along the route.

Final thing, for anyone who wonders why there’s a dog lying down in the main photo of this blog post, it’s Simon’s dog as he thinks that what I’ll look like at the end of the 100. Well, at the first checkpoint more likely….

Following on from the previous day and the Trans-Pennine LDWA 100.

I had come back to the HQ following my visit to the final few checkpoints to see the brave entrants come back in. I had seen the first couple of entrants back in before heading back out to the checkpoints, they were the runners who had finished after taking less than 24 hours to complete the course. I mean, just imagine, getting that far in less than a day, it’s all quite ridiculously fast.

But, as I’ve mentioned before, those runners did a great job, the LDWA don’t value their efforts any differently to those who take just under 48 hours to finish. Indeed, being realistic, those walkers who come in just before the end have gone for two nights without sleep, that’s even more amazing an achievement. This is why we refer to the walkers and runners as entrants, not as competitors as it’s not a competition or race. I had managed only one hour of sleep during the event, but then again, I didn’t have to walk 100 miles, so on this occasion even I needed no sympathy.

Sara, the 100s co-ordinator, looking at how the entrants were getting on, the tracking facility means that was possible in real-time for the first time on the 100s event.

More importantly, there’s the bell, which I took command of for several hours. Every entrant who completes the 100 miles is welcomed by the bell ringing, to ensure everything knows just how brave they’ve been. I wouldn’t need this, I’d go and tell everyone in person just how brave I’d been, but that’s a different matter. Completing the event is a big thing and a bell ringing and applause is the least that we can do to acknowledge the efforts that the entrant has made.

My view for several hours.

I was delighted to see that Claire and Simon had got back in, still looking in great shape. I analysed Simon’s GPX file to see if he had cheated, but despite checking for over twenty minutes, I had to admit he had indeed walked the official route without deviation. He did very well. Simon and Claire seemed to enjoy their walking round, although a few came to an end and swore they’d never enter again as they remembered how far 100 miles was. However, some had changed their mind within minutes, it’s a tough challenge, but that’s why it’s so addictive to many.

Aaron opened this 2.75kg bag of jelly babies, which I selflessly helped him eat to pass the time over the next few hours.

Karen (on left) effortlessly sweeping in.

Sammy Dawkins, one of the youngest finishers, who was another one who didn’t look any different to when he started, just a natural walking athlete.

There were numerous presentations throughout the event, this one presented by Aaron to David Purdy, who had completed his 20th LDWA 100. They get a special badge marking this milestone, along with a certificate signed by Sara and Julie, the national chair.

John Backhouse, who had completed ten LDWA 100s. Oh, and Richard to the right, who is thinking about entering an LDWA 10 one day.

The very lovely bell! Bacon rolls also made an appearance at this point, I was very pleased at that. One thing that isn’t evident until being at this event is just how emotional it can be, seeing friends complete such a touch challenge of course, but also just the delight of seeing anyone finish having walked for nearly two days non-stop. I marshalled my first 100 in Kent, and it was only then that I realised how high emotions were, all in a happy sense of the word.

It was starting to get a little busier in the hall as entrants started to wait for the arrival of friends, as well as those coming in towards the maximum time of 48 hours. Giving them that special welcome.

The beer that successful entrants received and what a marvellous idea.

Stephen Coveney, who had completed ten LDWA 100s.

And then this certificate was ready to be awarded to Leonard Fallick, who has achieved the astounding milestone of having completed 40 LDWA 100s. He hasn’t entered all of them in a row as he couldn’t make a few of them, but he’s finished every single one of those which he’s started, which is some considerable going. Some 100s are more challenging than others, some because of the terrain, but some mostly because of poor weather. But yet Leonard has battled on and finished every one of his 40 events, a remarkable achievement.

And here’s this hero of the LDWA, well done Len!

As an additional reward, Len was also presented with an engraved glass so that he can sit at home drinking decadent craft beer (or whatever drink he prefers) whilst looking forwards to future events and reminiscing over previous achievements.

Sara and Len.

Ken, our Vice President, calling over Aaron to thank him for all of his hard work as the event organiser. As Aaron noted, it was of course a team effort and we couldn’t have had such an event without the many hours of organising, walking, writing routes, changing routes and booking halls, a process which takes years for events such as this.

And that was the close of the event, another really lovely weekend which has been a real challenge for the organising committee given that their event was pushed back a year, then the dates were changed with the shift of the Bank Holiday days being moved. Nonetheless, they kept rebooking halls and kept changing plans, and I know from the feedback received just how much the entrants enjoyed it. OK, there’s a lot of walking, but there is the marvellous sense of the LDWA community wanting to be involved in this event, whether taking part or marshalling. All really rather lovely, and Simon Pipe has an album of photos from behind the scenes at HQ.

Oh, and did this make me want to do another 100? Well, it did just a little bit. But when the event came to a close, it was time for me to move to a hotel, get an early check-in and then have a long sleep.

This post carries on merrily from my post about the opening day of the Trans-Pennine 100, where 400 or so walkers took part in walking 100 miles.

With the Norfolk & Suffolk checkpoint closed, Richard and I made our way to the Heart of Scotland checkpoint at Mam Nick car park, which was 52 miles into the route. This outdoor checkpoint, which was CP8, was staffed with more enthusiastic volunteers, even though they’d been up throughout the night offering food, drink and support to the entrants. There was hearty soup available, as well as numerous types of delicious snacks.

And let me note a little about this whole thing. It’s great that there’s food and drink on this event, and of course essential. But what very many walkers need is a welcoming smile, a reassurance that everything is OK and that this bloody nightmare will be over soon enough. It’s great to get help from people who have completed a 100 and know exactly what is involved, which is mostly mental strength to keep on going. As the guru David Morgan always says, it’s 90% mental and 10% physical. Or, as Chelle always says, it’s just 25 short walks joined together, which I never found that motivational if I’m being honest as I can be tired out after one short walk. Anyway, I digress.

The menu had been carefully written out with some style.

There’s Julie, watching Naomi walk down the hill.

I think that’s Naomi, still being heroic and very brave battling on.

We then jumped (well, drove) to CP10, which is the breakfast stop. East Lancs were the group responsible for this big challenge, which was serving 400 people a cooked breakfast. Despite the space being a little limited, the team sprung into action offering table service with a smile, whilst the walkers tended their feet and thought about the situation that they were in.

The busy kitchen team.

And here’s Simon! We later discovered that Jane retired at this checkpoint, as did Naomi, but their efforts were still considerable. It’s all about giving it a go, that’s the main thing. I have a grumpy friend who got to 60 miles and didn’t realise how impressed people were, but that’s a different story.

For the avid readers of this blog (all two of them), they might remember this from the LDWA AGM, it’s the Colin Wormwald trophy. This goes to every 100 event and every entrant can have their photo taken with it, that’s a right that has been passed on down the generations! Instead of giving this trophy to the fastest entrant, it’s awarded to every single entrant, because this event isn’t a race, it’s a personal challenge and we don’t treat the fastest any differently to the slowest. Aaron decided to dress this year’s event up with a ferret, or whatever it is, I’m not sure what Michael will do next year for the Elephant, Bear and Bull event, but he’s got three animal options with that name.

I had a quick walk to a Wetherspoons in Wombwell, the Horseshoe, before Richard and I went back out to have a meander around some checkpoints. I’ll post separately about the Wetherspoons, so as not to spoil my flow of thought about walking.

The Irregulars checkpoint at CP14 which was at Wortley Rugby Club. They had some excitement of finding that their HQ had been used for storage which required some quick thinking, but like another checkpoint whose marquee blew down, they were resourceful and the walkers would never have known.

Just in case Simon needed any assistance, we decided to walk towards him. I think he appreciated my top tips on how to complete the event.

And here are Simon and Claire, positively gliding in again. They made this look a little bit too easy if you ask me.

The rugby club, where some entrants took a slightly more direct route than others.

And then a highlight, the South Wales checkpoint at Tankersley Welfare Hall, which was 85 miles into the event. Not a bad looking menu if you ask me.

And Dave was offering his usual formidable welcome in his Wales hat. I pretended not to notice it, I try not to encourage frivolity and fancy dress. The Norfolk & Suffolk checkpoint was jubilee themed, but I ignored that as well.

Fish finger and bacon rolls, what a time to be alive! These were delicious and I’ve spoken to Michael, several times, about these being available at next year’s event.

Simon and Dave, both who annoy me by walking around 100s pretending they find them difficult. Dave and his “oh, I don’t know if I can do it this year, I’ve hardly trained, just only done six marathons a week” nonsense, and Simon who vaguely pretends it’s a challenge to him. They are professionals at this, but as I mentioned, their fast speed and looking fine at the end is no more an achievement than the entrants who collapse over the line.

Onto the North Yorkshire checkpoint at Wentworth Village Cricket Pavilion and entrants were now being able to see the end in sight, this was the 90 miles mark. No photos of the inside of the checkpoint here as it was quite busy and we once again, incredibly selflessly, again went to walk to see Simon and Claire. To be honest, I was checking Simon wasn’t in a taxi, as marshals have to be alert to these things.

And the final checkpoint before the end, David Findel-Hawkins and Merrian Lancaster offering an incredible welcome. I note that as they gave me beer, which Dave didn’t offer me. It was a close run thing between the two checkpoints, but Merrian was very pleased I said theirs was the best 🙂

It’s like a party! Entrants didn’t tend to linger too long at this checkpoint, not because they weren’t surprised and delighted at it, but because it was only four miles to the end.

So with a smile and a wave, entrants left the checkpoint to just finish this damn thing off.

With that, Richard and I went back to the HQ to wait for the entrants. I’ll save this part of the story for the next post, but it was very exciting watching all of the very brave entrants coming in. Once again, so many thanks to the marshals who made this event possible, it was rare to see anyone looking tired, despite the hours of volunteering they’d put in to help the entrants. There was a friendly welcome at every checkpoint, such a wonderful community of walkers.

I took over 200 photos during the LDWA event, I can’t use them all in these blog posts, but they’re all visible here for anyone who might want to peek through them. The LDWA also has a Flickr account now, where there are additional photos available.

The HQ was Netherwood Academy near Wombwell, which isn’t far from Barnsley. The map of the LDWA 100 and looking at that is a reminder of just how far this distance is. Look at the number of maps taped together…. If anyone wants to see the route, and indeed how the entrants got on, it’s at https://track.trail.live/event/ldwa100. If that link isn’t working (it’ll be there for six months I think), there’s plenty more information at https://ldwa.org.uk/2022Hundred.

The registration process and the collecting of the trackers, the first time that they’ve been used in an LDWA 100.

And that’s a lot of trackers.

I had a little peer in the food room, all of this food and drink was being despatched to the checkpoints later on.

All neatly stacked up and a reminder again of just how much organisation goes into these events. I’ll return to that theme across these posts, it’s all a formidable volunteer effort. Norfolk & Suffolk group are holding the event in 2025 (their then forward thinking chair thought that was a great idea in 2021) and work is already underway on the route. As Dave Morgan says, a flat 100 is harder than a hilly one, I just hope he can cope with the terrain when the time comes. And also hope that the snakes on the Suffolk coast don’t come out in hordes again.

The food and drink destined to go to CP7, which was the Norfolk & Suffolk checkpoint that I was going to later on in the day.

I’ve just realised that I took quite a lot of photos of the food….. I’m hoping that the Norfolk & Suffolk event will innovate exciting new menu options, although I might not be allowed to go near that process. But a fish and chips van, hmmm…..

A little bit of a queue forming for the trackers, but the event registration went smoothly and it was good to see Madeleine in control at one of the desks. She was keeping everyone in order.

This bit isn’t ideal for entrants, it’s the wait for the start, and I could see the excitement in the eyes of Simon Hodgin and the look of anger in the eyes of Jane…. I’ve a lot of time for Jane’s walking style, she’s pre-annoyed before the start and quite grumpy that she’s doing the walk. This, to me, is much better than Simon’s odd attitude of being excited and positive. Also visible in this photo, as he’s helpfully wearing green (he supports Norwich City, hence the green) is Dave Morgan who was getting ready to receive his own award the next day.

Hazel and Karen visible in this pre-departure photo. Hazel was helping at the Cornwall & Devon checkpoint, which I’m sad to say is one of the few I didn’t get to, whilst Karen, the national groups officer, was walking the event. And in some style if I’m being honest, but more on her effortless walking later.

Aaron, getting ready to send the first wave of walkers off. He might have set them off slightly early, but there’s no time like the present on such occasions. Also visible on the right is Michael Jones, the organiser of next year’s event, ready to get tips from Trans-Pennine, or learn from any mistakes they might make, whichever way you want to look at it. There’s always much to learn from any event, but Aaron definitely got the big calls right as seems to be the popular soundbite from Government Minister at the moment. Not that I’m suggesting he’s like Boris Johnson (who arguably didn’t get the big calls right, but I won’t meander into politics), as he’s very sensible (I’ve veered back into politics very quickly again). Right, enough about that.

The walkers have gone, Aaron gets some time to reflect seeing the first 200 or so entrants off. I think there were around 400 people who took part in the walk, an excellent turnout. Unfortunately there were a few who couldn’t make the event as short notice, including some who got Covid just before the event.

Successful entrants got a beer to mark their bravery, a marvellous idea, it’s a blonde ale from Acorn Brewery, who are local to the event.

With that, Julie Cribb (the national chair) and I went to have a look at a few checkpoints and speak to some of our marvellous volunteers. She was also supporting her daughter, Naomi, who was walking the event, which is very brave indeed. This is CP1, operated by East Yorkshire LDWA. It’s a challenge marshalling this first checkpoint as everyone is coming in quite quickly, but the marshals were doing well and food and drink was being efficiently provided.

We arrived at CP2 before the entrants, which was a handy opportunity to take photos of the food. I’d add I didn’t take any, I went to the nearby Greggs. As an aside, there was a nightmare with my O2 priority reward, where the shop couldn’t get it to scan. Three staff tried to get it to work and failed, with one being annoyed at me I think, whilst the other two were annoyed at O2. They just gave me the pizza in the end anyway, which is the first time I’ve had that from Greggs. Very nice, although I’m still more of a chicken bake person. But, that’s fine, as I got a chicken bake at the same time just in case that situation arose.

CP2 was marshalled by volunteers from BBN and they were ready for action with the rush of entrants, offering a warm welcome to those who had by this point walked for just under 12 miles. Incidentally, one of the advantages for the marshals of the trackers is that they can see when entrants are about to arrive, which means that they can be extra ready.

And there’s Simon, having left Jane behind. Simon was speed walking around the event with Hilary.

And Naomi, still looking positive and keen.

Sara Dyer, the national 100s officer on the NEC, who helps groups organise this event.

Here’s Jane, with her Dad, Brian. Lots of smiles and the temperature was really quite moderate, not too hot but also not pouring with rain. I’m not allowed to mention the infamous event in South Wales that poured down with rain for two days, but somewhere in the middle is what walkers want, a cool breeze and not too wet. It was a good weekend for walking.

Then it was off down a farm track to see Wiltshire group at CP3.

Their food selection, in the calm before the storm.

They had a formidable scone production line going on, alongside some other healthy snacks such as Jaffa Cakes and jelly babies.

And they had ponies! No other group organised ponies, so I was very impressed.

And Julia, second from the left, who is the NEC’s membership secretary.

And Karen coming into the checkpoint, looking exactly as she did when she set off. Very calm, composed and professional.

Simon coming into CP3, still annoyingly positive.

Simon having a little rest, with Hilary from Norfolk and Suffolk (and the group’s new chair) strolling in as well.

That production line I mentioned earlier.

Julie and Naomi, this checkpoint was at around 18 miles.

Jane arriving into the checkpoint and still in a positive frame of mind. Inspirational.

CP4, which is Holmbridge Church Hall. On the drive there, I was pleased to see Holmfirth and the cafe where Last of the Summer Wine was filmed. I didn’t quite get to Holmfirth last year when I was in the area, so this whetted my appetite for when I do finally get to go to the town.

Julie and Nicky at CP4, the Lakeland and West Yorkshire checkpoint.

The kitchen team.

Neil Carter from Norfolk and Suffolk group, one of my favourite LDWA members as he always comments on my general bravery. Simon H doesn’t, so he isn’t as far up my list of favourites.

There was lots of bunting in the hall, although the LDWA didn’t put this up, it was a for a Jubilee Weekend event the following day.

And here comes Simon. It was lovely to see Pete Colley at the event as well, he was stopping by to watch some of the entrants glide into the checkpoint.

Still looking calm and composed.

And Hilary, who was jogging behind to keep up.

With that, it was off to CP7, as that was where I was spending the rest of the day, at the Norfolk & Suffolk checkpoint.

The marshals at the checkpoint, Sue, Katie, Chelle, Roger, Yvonne, Richard, Shu (just), Jayne, myself, Michael, Malcolm and Julie (popping in as chair). We had some fish and chips before the event, which was marvellous and everyone enjoyed those. Richard just had a heap of sausages or something, he didn’t want the delicious and decadent fish. I was initially annoyed as Chelle, who had volunteered to get the chips from the nearby Hayfield fish and chip shop, came back to say they didn’t accept cards. Luckily Richard and I were able to lend her cash (mostly Richard, he’s very wealthy) for a few hours to ensure that everyone got their food.

And the Raynet team ready for the checkpoint.

Aaron popped in, whilst also running the entire event, to drop off beer to those who had entered the marshals. Here’s Malcolm being presented with his beer.

That’s a blast from the past…. I’ve been a member of the LDWA for a decade, and this group had ceased to exist many years before that.

Night falls. A couple of local residents came to chat and were very enthused with the whole arrangement, with the usual surprise of why so many people want to walk non-stop. It’s actually the non-stop bit which confuses people, they can’t imagine keeping going throughout the night, or indeed two nights. We kept the noise as low as possible of course, we were an overnight checkpoint, but we were helped with the trackers meaning we knew when people were arriving.

It was rather lovely to be able to welcome entrants in, as well as a small handful of supporters who were helping friends or family with their efforts by cheering them on. We had a few retirements at our checkpoint, which was about 40 miles in, but mostly we were able to send entrants out inspired for the next part of their challenge. Neil unfortunately had to quit at this checkpoint, but he battled on as far as he could, it was a shame he wasn’t feeling very well. A proper fighter.

Our checkpoint in full flow. It was a tight squeeze when it was at its busiest, but it wasn’t often this packed, I think we had a big contingent from Yorkshire in at this point.

Jane wasn’t quite as jovial as she had been earlier on if I’m being honest. She made some funny comments about Simon that I think everyone thought were most amusing. I certainly did. It was a true inspiration to see how Jane had been so creative in where to stack painkillers to help her through and her Dad, Brian, seemed to be having a enjoyable time with the walk.

And that’s where I’ll leave this post, as the Norfolk & Suffolk checkpoint closed in the early hours of Saturday morning. There were no major incidents and I hope that all the entrants enjoyed the hospitality offered. And thanks to the wonderful Norfolk and Suffolk marshals, volunteering to help out at the event throughout the night whilst also smiling and remaining cheerful. Jayne managed the kitchen with effortless ease and I was able to save a couple of cheese sandwiches from going into the bin, so all was well with the world. Chelle also managed the checkpoint with professionalism, despite having a dog who needed some attention at numerous points during the night. And apologies for anyone I’ve missed mentioning who might have been in the photos.