Trailwalker - live blogtag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live/912008-07-20T15:17:18ZMovable Type 3.33Thankyoutag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27752008-07-20T15:05:35Z2008-07-20T15:17:18Z Thankyou from the tips of our fingers to the bottom of our toes. I think I speak or should I say blog on behalf of everyone involved with Trailwalker. Thankyou to the 100's of volunteers who have helped throughout...Trailwalker Team
Thankyou from the tips of our fingers to the bottom of our toes.
I think I speak or should I say blog on behalf of everyone involved with Trailwalker.
Thankyou to the 100's of volunteers who have helped throughout the event at the start, finish and all the checkpoints.
Thankyou to the Queens Gurkhas Signals for handling all the logistics and serving up amazing meals throughout the weekend.
And last but not least...Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou to all the teams and support crews that have taken part. What you have acheived in the last 30hours is absolutely amazing.
3pmtag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27742008-07-20T15:04:02Z2008-07-20T15:05:31ZAmazingly there are just 6 people left on the course, which means that everyone will complete Trailwalker within 30hours....Trailwalker Team
Amazingly there are just 6 people left on the course, which means that everyone will complete Trailwalker within 30hours.
This time next year...tag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27732008-07-20T14:10:20Z2008-07-20T14:18:15ZI have never been to Trailwalker before, but, despite the distance and the feet I've witnessed, there's no doubt in my mind that I want to be a part of this event next year. It really is a great event...Trailwalker Team
I have never been to Trailwalker before, but, despite the distance and the feet I've witnessed, there's no doubt in my mind that I want to be a part of this event next year. It really is a great event to be a part of. It's in writing now, so I know I'm going to be held to this...
It seems to be a bit of a bug, despite the rollercoaster of emotions, it seems that people can't seem to stay away.
I've spoken to people today, who have taken part in previous years and have come back again and again as volunteers and support crews. Similarly, there's people who have participated and then promoted it to their friends who have taken part this year, so they have come along as support crew.
Feettag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27722008-07-20T14:03:41Z2008-07-20T14:10:07ZI don't think I could write a blog on Trailwalker without a dedication to the roughly 4000 feet that make this event possible! I've never seen so many plasters, bandages and compeed around. There are a lot of people hobbling...Trailwalker Team
I don't think I could write a blog on Trailwalker without a dedication to the roughly 4000 feet that make this event possible! I've never seen so many plasters, bandages and compeed around.
There are a lot of people hobbling around, It's the easiest way to spot the participants from the support crew. Hopefully after a few days, everyone's feet will have returned to their normal size. To help them on the road to recovery, there are onsite Podiatrists or feet people offering free treatment :)
2pmtag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27712008-07-20T13:18:37Z2008-07-20T14:03:26ZIve been at the Finish Point from 5am this morning as teams started to hobble down the last leg of the racecourse....There were even some sprint finishes which was amazing considering they'd just walked 100km. The Support Crews this year...Trailwalker Team
Ive been at the Finish Point from 5am this morning as teams started to hobble down the last leg of the racecourse....There were even some sprint finishes which was amazing considering they'd just walked 100km.
The Support Crews this year have been on top form too, a special mention goes to the crew who had a different fancy dress outfit for each checkpoint, ending with a YMCA theme at the Finish Point.
The walkers have also got in on the fancy dress action, aswell as a few Top Gun outfits, we've had a bit of cross dressing from our male teams. A bride and 3 red bridesmaids, complete with wigs...A Brilliant effort.
Sunday 1pmtag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27702008-07-20T12:43:08Z2008-07-20T12:47:53Z Trailwalker Statistics Update 250 Teams have now finished and according to Race Control, the remaining teams have all cleared checkpoints 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8... This means that we should be seeing our last few...Trailwalker Team
Trailwalker Statistics Update
250 Teams have now finished and according to Race Control, the remaining teams have all cleared checkpoints 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8... This means that we should be seeing our last few teams walking or hobbling in between 4pm and 5pm this afternoon.
Sat 16:20tag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27692008-07-20T09:28:55Z2008-07-20T09:31:11ZThe first Trailwalkers have arrived... Running to the finish in just under 10 hours... Absolutely amazing!!!...
The first Trailwalkers have arrived... Running to the finish in just under 10 hours... Absolutely amazing!!!
Sat 10:00tag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27682008-07-20T09:26:19Z2008-07-20T09:30:52ZIt's the Final Countdown.... Last walkers are off...We start to dismantle the start and then a 2hr drive to the finish... By the end of the morning, I was sure I wanted to be involved next year, but after the...
It's the Final Countdown....
Last walkers are off...We start to dismantle the start and then a 2hr drive to the finish... By the end of the morning, I was sure I wanted to be involved next year, but after the drive, once again Im not so sure...100km...60Miles....better them, than me.
Sat 6am -7amtag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27672008-07-19T18:30:50Z2008-07-20T09:36:08Z6.15am Tea and Coffee Queue Need Caffeine. Caffeine. Caffeine. Overheard in the queue again... A guilty team member eventually owns up to eating more than their fair share of Snickers Bars A guy is telling his team mate that he's...Trailwalker Team
6.15am Tea and Coffee Queue
Need Caffeine. Caffeine. Caffeine. Overheard in the queue again...
A guilty team member eventually owns up to eating more than their fair share of Snickers Bars
A guy is telling his team mate that he's excited about reading his Gardners World magazine at one of the checkpoints...
This time I'm suprised about the vast differences in clothing that people are wearing. Ive got no less than 4 tops, trousers, hat, wellies a scarf and gloves on, yet there's people looking like they're going to walk in just shorts and a T-shirt...Although it does look like the sun is starting to come out now. Hooray!
6.50am
I spy Alicia who is looking a little bit worried.
7.00am
The people in this start time group are much livelier. When the bagpipes play, there's singing clapping and even a bit of dancing. Similarly the countdown is much louder and there is a huge cheer as it reaches one.
Friday Nighttag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27662008-07-19T17:46:44Z2008-07-19T18:09:37ZManaged to arrive at the Start about 7pm last night and set up camp where I quickly realised that I had forgotten pretty much anything useful for camping...No Torch, No ground matt, no toothpaste... At least all the Trailwalker Teams...Trailwalker Team
Managed to arrive at the Start about 7pm last night and set up camp where I quickly realised that I had forgotten pretty much anything useful for camping...No Torch, No ground matt, no toothpaste... At least all the Trailwalker Teams look better prepared than me...Some people look like they've arrived with everything they possess
The whole atmosphere is upbeat, yet relaxed although there are definitely a few worried faces wandering around. Dinner is good, the vegetarian option doesn't just consist of a salad, there's plenty of good energy food like pasta. Most teams take the sensible option and head off to bed about ten...but there's a few who can't resist the lure of a nightcap to calm their nerves.
One day to go.....tag:www.oxfam.org.uk,2008:/applications/blogs/trailwalker_live//91.27652008-07-17T17:30:03Z2008-07-17T17:55:49ZWelcome to the first Trailwalker 2008 Blog! This year, so you can keep up with all the weekend action, we will have a live (yet possibly very tired) blogger on site at Trailwalker. As a newbie to the Oxfam Events...Trailwalker Team
Welcome to the first Trailwalker 2008 Blog!
This year, so you can keep up with all the weekend action, we will have a live (yet possibly very tired) blogger on site at Trailwalker.
As a newbie to the Oxfam Events and Community Fundraising Team, I volunteered to blog at Trailwalker, although the prospect of a 4am start on a Sunday, is making me regret my decision a tad....although this seems to pale in comparison to Kim and Alicia's to actually take part...Alicia is feeling a bit sick after looking at peoples feet from last year..Before my internship, I had never heard of Trailwalker, let alone consider taking part, but being here leading up to the event and hearing all about it from people who have taken part in previous years has made me promote it to my friends and family. Not being the most active of individuals I might wait to see what state everyone's in on Sunday before signing up...
Based at the start on Saturday, I will be guestimating how many earlybirds have already set off and which teams are already dragging their heels...Similarly, On Sunday as the teams start to filter over the finish line, expect updates on the fastest and slowest finishers and how they feel after their 100km trek!
Todays blog will take on a slightly different angle. Aswell as months of preparation from the teams taking part, This weekend is the culmination of months of work from everyone in Oxfam House, The Gurkha Welfare Trust and The Queen's Gurkha Signals. Last minute preparations are happening as I type. All the signs have just arrived and the team are trying to work out how all the pieces fit together, Eve and Nat are loading everything into vans and elsewhere in the building, teams of people are working on the Trailwalker website, making sure it's ready for the weekend.
Tomorrow, looks set to be even busier, with teams from Oxfam House heading to the South Downs, to set up the start and finish points, aswell as all of the checkpoints in between. I think I speak for everyone, when I say I'm looking forward to meal on Friday night