The Ridgeway 40 miles
Reports of events in previous years
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Reports of events in previous years |
Download Alan Smith's Ridgeway Report 2007 as a MS doc file , page 2, page 1 is missing
Download pdf file of 2006 Ridgeway report (including results)
CHECK
POINT 4
Download pdf files of 2005 Ridgeway report - - 2005 results
10.00 the start of the run (Click picture for a larger version in a new window) -- RUN RESULTS
On Saturday, the 7th May, 148 walkers set off from Overton Hill near Avebury to walk 40 miles along the Ridgeway to Streatley YHA Centre.
Organised by Reading Outdoor Group, the walk attracts walkers of different abilities and experience and from all parts of the country. Some ran the 40 miles, some were attempting this length if walk for the first time whilst others were returning to the event after many successful attempts.
The Ridgeway Walk holds a strange hold over some participants after they have entered it once and they organise their life around the walk. For instance, a Canadian couple with homes here and in Canada timed their return to their homeland so that they could take part in the walk.
Very blustery winds were blowing on the 7th May. Fortunately, the wind was behind the walkers for most of the day. There were brief showers; on top of the Ridgeway some of them were of hail and quite unpleasant. The surface of the Ridgeway was generally hard and dry after a winter that has seen much less rain than usual. Some walkers described the conditions as ideal for walking. Many who had fought through the muddy conditions of the 2004 walk finished in faster times with one person lopping three hours off his 2004 finishing time.
The only local walker to take part in the walk was Helen Abbott of Goring,
who recorded a finishing time of 12 hours 46 minutes. Helen is a member of Goring
Gap Health Walkers and commented that it was thanks to their more challenging
off-road walks and advice from other walkers that she became generally fit and
confident enough even to think of doing all or part of the Ridgeway.
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The youngest person to complete the walk was 14 year old Tizzy Mann of Wantage
who demonstrated her stamina and determination by completing the walk in 12
hours 7 minutes. Tizzy was accompanied by her mother who may equally deserve
admiration for her stamina and determination.
The fastest walker was, again, Ken Fancett of South London who recorded a time of 6 hour 21 minutes. And the last walkers were Catherine Hingley and Rosie Orr, aged 17 and 18 respectively, from Birmingham. This was the second year that Catherine and Rosie successfully completed the walk and they finished together in 14 hours 24 minutes.
Of the 148 starters, 121 completed the course.
In addition to the 40 mile walk, Reading Outdoor Group also organised a 20 mile walk between White Horse Hill, near Uffington, and Streatley. 85 walkers entered this event and 81 of them completed the walk.
The wind conditions caused several problems for the marshals. Apart form making
it feel cold for anyone standing around at checkpoints, there were problems
with tents. One group of marshals wondered if their tent would be blown into
orbit before they could put it up and once up, they wondered if the wind would
blow it down! Other problems included tables being blown over and plastic cups
being blown away. But, in spite of this turmoil, marshals maintained their cheery
encouragement to the walkers and runners, which is a hallmark of these events.
Conditions were good for the runners with dry ground and a good breeze on their backs. Several participants were using the event as part of their training for various other ultras: The Comrades in South Africa (56 miles), The West Highland Way (95 miles) and a 24 hr international event. The times recorded for the 40 miles were:
306 Nigel Jenkins 5 hr 46 m
302 David Moore 5 hr 53 m
307 Mark Shepherd 6 hr 1 m
311 Rex Stickland 6 hr 23 m (Over-60)
312 Sam Kilpatrick 6hr 35 m
314 Ramona Thevenet-Smith 6 hr 41m
313 Andy Smith 7 hr 25 m
304 Andy Taylor 7 hr 43 m
315 John Bateman 7hr 43 m
316 Simon Finch 7 hr 59 m
309 Susan Gray 8 hr 33 m
303 Douglas Flemington 8 hr 52m
305 Alan Mulkern 8 hr 52m
2 runners retired en route.
2004 was wet, muddy and slippery! .......
CP4 White Horse Hill
10.00 am at the start, ready for rain!
Update 10 May 2003 :- Conditions were good for walking. About 170 started. We have an album of photos taken at the following places:
Start of Run, Whitehouse Hill, CP3, CP4 ... a lot here, Finish - just one washed and changed and ready to play in a concert!
History of the Ridgeway 40 mile Walk: Read Alan Smith's summary of 40 years of the Walk. Purchase full 29 page report (£3.50)
Saturday 11 MAY 2002: 41st Ridgeway 40 Walk (Report & Results). 5th 40 mile run (Report & Results)(and 20 mile walk Results)
The 41st event was held in excellent weather with a record field. From 186 entrants of the 40 mile walk, 130 completed the route. 36 walkers and completed the 20 mile walk and 3 runners completed the separate 40 mile run. (Some runners chose to participate in the walk!) The leading runner was Barry Dabrowski in a time of 5hr 56m.
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The approach to Barbary Castle. 18 of Carl's other photos taken in 2002, and showing the route |
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This information was updated on 6 October 2002
There was no Ridgeway event held in 2001 because the Ridgeway was closed due to foot & mouth restrictions
The 40th Ridgeway 40 Walk was held on 6 May 2000. Alan Smith's report on the event was published here on 8 July 2000, and has been sent to all participants. Here is the list of walkers with their times .
This was also the fourth year that a trail run was held in conjunction with the walk, and here are the results .
There is also a 20 mile walk from White Horse Hill to Streatley for those seeking a more modest challenge. Details are on Ron Cutler's website.
Have a look in the Ridgeway 40 Photo Albums:- No1
or No. 2 
This page was updated 2 Jan 2008. Comments and enquiries to 2008@ridgeway40.org.uk