The 2011 event will was held on Saturday 24th September.

This is a circular challenge walk from Birdlip passing through the picturesque villages of Miserden & Bisley, Painswick Valley, Haresfield & Painswick Beacons and a stretch of the Cotswold Way returning to Birdlip. 

Click here for the Results

Cotswold Challenge 2011 - Event Report

24 September 2011

 This year’s Cotswold Challenge was once again blessed with near-perfect weather, an exceptional stroke of luck given the incessant rain falling some 24 hours later.

 The results are on our results page and the event stats are:

·       Total entries 180

·       Non Starters 27

·       Finishers 145

 Of which:

Walkers

·       Started 118   

·       Retired 8

·       Finished 110

Runners

·       Started 35

·       Retired 0

·       Finished 35

We recognise the commitment and support from Bristol & West’s members (some of whom had volunteered for their first time) which helped make this year’s event pass off smoothly and without mishap. At times helpers find supporting events a thankless and boring task; and it’s really rewarding to have so many members turning out.

The many complements and letters of thanks show that our efforts are really appreciated which makes staging the event so worthwhile.

.... "Thank you for a great walk again even if hills are getting bigger and miles are longer it was a good walk and check points were good .....

.... "see you next year but can you flatten hills a bit.  Please thank everyone for their hard work in putting walk on .....

.... "Thank you for such a great event. I entered as a runner and always find the LDWA events friendly and welcoming. The day was great, well organised and well stocked on the checkpoints. Please pass my thanks to all that assisted in the running of the event. Thanks also for the 'food' at the end and a well received cup of tea ....

.... “A lovely day out with the weather to go with it. Excellent views across the county. I will be back next year .....

.... "Many thanks to you and the team for another glorious CC ....

And next year, as we stage our triennial Wye Forest 50, the contribution of members will be especially important ; these longer events are hugely valued by the Association as a whole. It is really good for both LDWA and Bristol & West that we can count on the support of our members (both active and social) to assist in these events.

Whilst it’s impossible to name all members for their contribution, particular thanks go to Dave Street, Jenny Reed, Tony Reed, Neil Manners, Joan Manners, Richard Denby, Richard Winsborrow, Dave Pingstone, Madeline Pingstone, Bruce Barclay, Bruce Young, Luke Parker, Mike Parkes (and his rescue wagon), Brian Pitts, Peter Bailey, Eric Dolling, Geoff Parsons; not forgetting Bob & Joy Mills who fastidiously looked after the galley and the victualling of walkers and troops throughout the day.

Last but not least (in more ways than one) we reward our sweepers Derek Salway & Ray Davis.

Thanks again, to all for coming and helping and we look forward to welcoming both walkers and helpers to our event in 2012.

Richard Jasper and Jon Bateman

Organisers

View the 2011 Marshals Walk & the main Event. 

Some of your feed back

.... "Thank you for a great walk again even if hills are getting bigger and miles are longer it was a good walk and check points were good .....

see you next year but can you flatten hills a bit.  Please thank everyone for their hard work in putting walk on.

..... "Thank you for such a great event. I entered as a runner number 165 and always find the LDWA events friendly and welcoming. The day was great, well organised and well stocked on the checkpoints. Please pass my thanks to all that assisted in the running of the event. Thanks also for the 'food' at the end and a well received cup of tea. A lovely day out with the weather to go with it. Excellent views across the county. 

I will be back next year.

..... "Many thanks to you and the team for another glorious CC.

A thought to reflect on from one of the organisers.

 "Although it was a long day for all of us, it is one of those few days in the calendar that you get more out of than you put into it and we should value that."

For further details contact the organiser by e-mail

Visit the Natural England Countryside Code page.

HISTORY OF THE COTSWOLD CHALLENGE

 In 1986 Richard Dixon led a 25 mile group social walk from Painswick, the route being the Cotswold Way to Leckhampton Hill and then via Seven Springs, Coberley, Cowley & Fostons Ash back to Painswick.

Shirley Hume expressed the view that the route would be suitable for a Challenge Walk, presumably because it was the right distance and easy to follow.

 At the AGM that year the late Mac McArthur suggested that the Group organise a new Challenge Walk in the Cotswolds.  Richard and former member, John Margetts took on the role of organising the event.

 It was the original intention to base the event in Painswick at Gyde House, a former National Children’s Home which was taken over by the Mountbatten Trust.  However The Mountbatten Trust went into liquidation and we had to find an alternative venue.

The inaugural event in 1988 was based at Cowley Manor, a residential conference house run by Gloucestershire Council.  Cowley Manor were able to offer accommodation, and a number of the participants took advantage of a weekend package, which included a led walk on the Sunday.

 Due to the uncertain future of Cowley Manor as a venue we moved our base to Birdlip Village Hall in 1989 which gave us the oportunity to include Coopers Hill.  With changes in the personal lives of John Margetts who moved to Cambridge and Richard who had just met his future wife, Pauline, it was decided to put the event on hold in 1990. Since it’s inception in 1988 we have missed just two years, 1990 when Richard Dixon got married and 2001 due to the Foot & Mouth epidemic.

 Richard Jasper volunteered for the role of Joint Organiser and this partnership continued from 1991 until 2006.  In 1999, the route changed going south via Miserden and Sapperton to The Thames Severn Canal and then via Bisley and Painswick back to the village hall via that sting in the tail, Birdlip Hill.  

In 2007, Jon Bateman took over from Richard Dixon as Joint Organiser and the route changed again, going via Bisley and Haresfield Beacon. The 21st Cotswold Challenge took place on 25th September 2010.

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This page was last updated 27 October 2011 at 14:18

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