Tag: 2026 LDWA 100

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.

The second checkpoint had been at Ightham Village Hall and Simon and I did wait outside to briefly wait for some of the Norfolk & Suffolk entrants, but we then made progress towards the third checkpoint at Weald Memorial Hall.

This was marshalled by Thames Valley LDWA and friends.

We could see entrants into this checkpoint from the window, which was handy advance notice and here’s Yvonne and Roger striding towards the hall. We had missed David Morgan, he had already long gone. He’s really very fast.

The hall and the friendly volunteers, with a couple of helpful members of the media team who are doing video footage for Instagram.

Simon getting some shelter under Chelle’s brolly. Chelle seems to have everything in her bag, it seems like a treasure trove of handy items, but she’s not new to this long distance walking game.

Chelle in her Tigger costume….

Jane had shelter too.

And Hilary was prepared too.

Andy looked wetter than at the previous checkpoint. But, like me, he’s one of those very brave walkers who doesn’t complain.

And Madeleine, the national LDWA chair, looking positive and upbeat. But I would expect nothing less.

The rain had only really just started at this time and it did get quite heavy. It was a little sub-optimal as the rainfall was quite hard and it’s hard to keep everything dry when it’s constant, it’s easier to get more frequent and lighter showers which gives chance for things to dry off a little. The weather was going to remain rainy until the next checkpoint at Cowden Memorial Hall, but the temperature was moderate and cool, so that seemed pleasant for the walkers. The terrain was also quite dry underfoot at this stage, with the hills not being too onerous by this point.

The Dorset and friends volunteers at the first checkpoint. I’d add that I’m only visiting select checkpoints on the route, which is more to do with the limitations of getting there rather than a lack of aspiration to visit them all.

Anne and Vaughan were two of the first in, with Anne being the 100s officer so there’s not much that she doesn’t know about this event.

The formidable David Morgan, who I am sure is getting taller every year.

Roger and Yvonne, the first two entrants in from Norfolk & Suffolk.

Andy Todd, looking calm and confident.

Despite his war wound…..

Some of the Norfolk & Suffolk entries in there, including Jane, Jayne and Hilary.

Chelle and Michael then swept in, completing the Norfolk & Suffolk entrants.

The weather at this stage was very warm, it would have been too hot for me, but I complain about the heat a lot. There wasn’t much shade along parts of the route and those without hats were starting to suffer from sunburn already. It’s a challenge when the first ten mile section is hot, it might feel reasonably pleasant but it can lead to excessive sweating and it is quite exhausting. But entries on the 100 have all completed a 50 mile event and have lots of experience, so confidence remained high.

Simon and Bailey, both supporting the Norfolk and Suffolk contingent.

Peter and Steph, the main event organiser and the marshal walk organiser.

The walkers are lined up and ready to go.

There’s always some nervousness amidst the excitement, but the fifty or so walkers all looked fairly confident to me. The sun was shining and at 10:00, it was time for everyone to set off. They have 48 hours to walk the 100 miles and their first checkpoint will be at Addington Village Hall, which is around ten miles into the event.