This year's dash took place on Saturday 3rd October in near perfect conditions. Not too hot, cool breeze, and not too hard under foot. Our team was the same as last year - Richard, Ian and myself. Our aim - to walk/run/jog as quickly as possible from Buriton to the Devils Dyke, just north of Brighton, a total of 43 miles. En route, we would meet our trusty service crew who would ply us with goodies to keep us going.
Our pre-walk ritual of bacon butties at Ian's house washed down with tea or coffee supplemented our breakfasts. We arrived at Buriton and went off to stretch our muscles. Our kit check was somewhat nerve racking, as we were one compass short. Ian's young 18 month old daughter had taken it out of our pre-packed rucksack and decided to play with it. Fortunately, one of the friendly checkpoint staff lent us a compass, and with kit re-packed, we were off.
I have walked the first stretch to Harting so many times that I consider it the most boring part of the walk - best to get it over with. Fifty minutes later, we were at Harting, just enough time to grab an orange drink each and some chocolate bars in readiness for the assault on Beacon Hill.
By now, we had spotted a team going up Beacon Hill, and set off after them. If we were on one of Ruby's rambles, we would have taken our time getting up the hill, and admiring the views which, on a clear day just seem to go on and on. However, we were against the clock and chasing other teams. We eventually caught them some 45 minutes later, and also overtook another team on the downward stretch to Cocking. Our service crew were not expecting us quite so soon, so we gulped down as much tea as possible, grabbed our drinks and goodies and set of up another hill.
Two more teams were overtaken prior to getting to the checkpoint at Duncton, and we were then ready for the trek up Bignor Hill. Although it didn't rain on the day, the previous day's rain made for slippery walking up the chalky path. Once at the top, only a short flat stretch, where we met our trusty service crew again. A kit check at this checkpoint co-incided with us all changing our socks for the remainder of the hike. We took rather too long at this break and set off, once again up another hill. I reckon they put all the checkpoints / service crewpoints just before a hill to demoralise people!
The next checkpoint was at the foot of Amberley Mount - a steep hill and energy-sapping, especially after having covered 23 miles. However, at the top we were surprised to see some German hikers out walking who took an interest in what we were doing. (Ideal for a breather). They even offered us a kit-kat each. Which we thanked them for, but politely declined. Onwards, ever onwards towards Chantry Hill, where we would meet our service crew once again. This time, we grabbed our goodies, quickly gulped our drinks and were off in less time than it would have taken a formula One car to have a pitstop.
On the leg towards Steyning we saw a team, about ten minutes ahead of us. By the time we left Steyning on the final seven miles, we were three minutes behind them. This team had started 41 minutes before us and were feeling somewhat worse for wear. By the time we had climbed up Beeding Hill, we had another team in sight.
By now, it was dark (7.pm) and we all had to wear fluorescent tops. The other teams commented on how much they had enjoyed the hike, probably because of the ideal weather conditions. By the time we got to the Devils Dyke it was quite cold, and very important that we quickly changed into spare clothes in readiness for a well earned drink and something to eat.
The winner who correctly guessed how long it would take us to get there was Mark Spong with 10 hours 15 minutes. My heartfelt thanks to our Service Crew, my team colleagues and to everyone who sponsored me. The exact amount raised is not yet known, however, I estimate approx £300 will be handed over for repairs to the Church.
written by David Palmer
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