Trailwalker Briefing

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Notes from Gurkha briefing at Oxfam House.

Over 2000 people taking part.

Health & Safety

• Red Cross - Emergency medical cover at all Check Points
  • But blister care is the team’s business
• The equipment on the Essential list is mandatory
  • There will be a formal kit check at the beginning of the race
• 2 mobile phones - a combination of Vodafone & O2 give trhe best coverage
• Map and route - team needs to be able to give a grid reference in case of emergency
• For minor injuries go to the nearest Check Point (CP) and be collected by your Support Crew (SC)
  • SC to let Race Control know if a member drops out
  • 3-member teams can carry on, 2-member teams must find another team to sponsor them
• If there’s no phone signal leave at least 1 person with the casualty and report it to Race Control when you regain signal
• Road crossings are marshalled by Gurkhas - you will need hi-vis vests
• Drink frequently
  • You must leave each Check Point with at least 1 litre of water each
• Take warm kit for heights and nights
• If you contact Race Control in cases of difficulty they will need your race number
• If you get lost go back to the last place where you knew where you were
• Familiarise yourselves with the route, identify the bits you will be walking at night and try them out at night
• Watch fellow teams members for hot and/or cold injuries

At Check Points

• Access for walkers and vehicles
  • Walkers have priority
• Mostly in grassy fields
• Will be 400+ people at any given time
• Rely on good will
  • Follow vehicle access rout marked on maps - of least disturbance to neighbours
  • All SCs should have at least two drivers

Start Point

•  QE Country Park is the starting point
• Will be marshalled to the Starting Point
• In the camping area, watch the noise after 21:00
  • Layout of the site based on the start time
  • Use the correct area
• If you are camping the night before then come for the festivities
  • In fact, come anyway
  • Tickets can be purchased at registration
• Vehicles cannot be left at the start point, except in the public car park
• The site must be cleared by 12.00 on Saturday
• Upper Levels
  • Registration - Last minute info & vouchers
  • Kit check - mandatory
• Lower level - main marquee = e-registration
  • Participants only
  • Get your tracking wristband
    • Must be worn at all times and swiped at each CP
• Registration
  • up to 1 hr before start
  • if starting at 06.00/07.00 then register the night before (registration closes at 21.00)
  • team changes must be notified 45 mins before race
• At CPs
  • Check in and swipe before meeting SC
  • Team must check in as a whole
  • water, tea and coffee are available
  • Toilets are available
  • There is a pasta meal for teams & SC at CP7
  • 1 vehicle per team at CPs
    • However can swap car pass between vehicles en route
    • And can have as many vehicles as you like at the start and finish
  • No SC at CP 10 (no access)
  • SCs don’t rush to CP1 or 2 - everyone does - try CP3
  • SCs aim to be at a CP 30 mins to an hour befor your RV time

Finish

•  Your finish time is when your final member crosses the finish line.
• Only teams of 4 that all finish are eligible for prizes
• Collect certificates in the eating area
  • But they will be posted if you don’t collect them in person
• SCs park in main car park and go to the Oxfam welcome point at the finish
  • Familiarise y/self with the layout for the benefit of your team
  • Curry in main hall
  • Campsite available until 16:00 on Sunday
• Funds must be released to Oxfam by 30/9/08

Kit Notes

• 1000-mile socks
• Wear watches - watch the time
• Trail boots for walking, trainers for daytime or running(!)
• Supportive pants - ask Simon for recommended type

 

Fundraising

The top fundraisings on 30 April can choose their start times.

• Messages on/with payslips
• Treasure Hunt
• Quiz nights
• Gifts in kind for raffles
• Join Facebook group
• Collection boxes to go with maps
• Guess our finish time
• Hold a Gurkha curry night

Training

• Get training dates in diaries - about every 3 weeks
• 15m - first walk
• 20m - second walk
• 25m - two or three times
• 30m - 2 weeks before Trailwalker
  • Need 2-3 weeks to recover before the main event
• Consider practicing on The Ridgeway - Avebury - Ivenhoe Beacon
  • Similar to South Downs - but flatter
• Wear the boots you train in
  • Make sure they’re worn in
  • Consider sturdy cross trainer with walking boots as back up
• Support Crew
  • Remind walkers of progress - the big picture
  • Get the SC to carry all your kit for you
• Chaffing - wetwipes/ talcum powder/ supportive pants
• Design a training plan
  • Follow it - even if it’s raining
• Don’t underestimate the walk
  • Serious climbs after CP6 and 9
• Try a night walk - night is prime drop out time, so be prepared
• Walk as much of the route as possible in advance
  • Try CP 8 onwards, nice section
  • Try the bit you’re going to do at night - then you know how it works
• Consider changing pants & socks at every CP (Under Armour)
• Vaseline & kepis
• Don’t rush off at the start - have a game plan
• Don’t stop too long at CPs - will slow you down

Support Crew Advice

• CP2 is very busy - only space for 40/50 cars
• Parking might be a problem at some CPs - in which case park as close as you can and walk
• Consider meeting at every CP from 2 onwards
• Factor in queuing and access times when arriving at CPs
• Take rubbish with you
• A27 tunnel closed at night
• Practice drive around routes and scout out local shops and amenities
• Advantage in having more than one car

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