The Joys of a Punishing Challenge — a 100 Mile Walk — Non Stop
Many moons ago I had the good fortune to be introduced to the South Downs Society and my first walk was the four-day Easter Walk from Buriton to Eastbourne and I was hooked on long distance during a wonderful four days. This led me to my first 100 from Winchester to Eastbourne run by The Long Distance Walking Association and, sixteen years later, after entering a 100 miler each year, I joined the Lakeland 100.
So on Saturday 1 June 455 walkers, plus their supporters, arrived at St. Anne's School, Windermere laughing and chattering in the sunshine, with photographs being taken. A casual observer would never guess they about to climb a total of 11,000 ft, walk through bogs, miss certainly one night's sleep, maybe miss two - and all for pleasure!
10 o'clock and a mass start but it is quite steep and the fast younger walkers are soon past and gone. The first twenty miles are up to High Street and Kentmere and we soon get strung out. Then a drop into the valley and along Ullswater Lake along through Ashlam and into Pooley Bridge. A marathon done and its beginning to bite.
I start the night with a group on the Old Coast Road, then turn off, paddling through wet moorland supposedly flagged but with the flags so small our torches can hardly search them out. A few drop out at the next checkpoint. I set off on my own at midnight, up and up the stony path to Skiddaw Youth Hostel checkpoint No.8. A warm welcome and a log fire ablaze in the grate. Back out into the night again along the mountain side, then dawn and the birds singing as I approach Keswick. It's magical and it's these moments that drives us on.
Onwards through another day and for me now another night. The younger ones get back before dark on Sunday night but many do give up as they've gone too fast causing aching legs and blisters.
What makes us do it? It's the escape from the normal, it's mind over pain, the camaraderie and friendship and the help we give each other. When you succeed it's the most fantastic feeling and the buzz of it keeps you going for days. It is also very gratifying to have been sponsored for over £3,000 for charities over the years.
- Elaine Edwards — Photo: Ann Lindfield
A few statistics from the Lakeland 100:
Number of starters: Finishers: Total: 450 260 Ladies: 69 50 Men: 386 210