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Find the answers to your questions about the Thames Path Challenge here.
The challenge takes place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September 2013. Your exact start time will be confirmed by the event organisers 5 weeks prior to the event.
The event takes place along the National Thames Pathway in South West London. However, this unique event has several variations:
The Putney to Henley 100km challenge A 24 hour endurance walk or Ultra Marathon run!
Putney to Runnymede. A daytime walk or marathon plus run.
Runnymede to Henley. A daytime walk or marathon plus run - or a night-time walk!
You need to select which stage of the event you'd like to tackle when you register.
Entries are now open. Apply for your place online here now.|
You can apply as an individual or as a team. Please note you will need to pay the relevant registration fee (below) by debit/credit card when you apply:
Upon completing your registration, we'll be in touch to welcome you to the team and provide you with your digital fundraising pack.
By signing up to the challenge you are committing to fundraise a minimum sponsorship for Macmillan of either £275 if you are signing up to a 50km challenge or £400 for the 100km challenge. 50% of your minimum sponsorship (£137.50 or £200) should be received by Macmillan by 2 August 2013. The remaining balance will be due to be paid no later than four weeks after the challenge, but ideally before the challenge.
We will support you in this by providing you with a comprehensive fundraising guide and regular e-newsletters with lots of useful hints and tips.
The Thames Path Challenge is a major fundraising event for Macmillan and your support will go a huge way to help people affected by cancer, for example:
When you join Team Macmillan you will be supported throughout your entire event experience.
In addition to our initial fundraising pack, we'll send you regular e-newsletters with tips to help you prepare for the big day. And if that isn't enough, we'll be there on the day providing the best support on the course, along with well-deserved congratulations at the finish.
The Thames Path Challenge is a tough event and training is essential for everyone. Preparation is key and will aid your enjoyment of the challenge whilst ensuring that your body is up to the rigours of the event.
It's very important for all competitors to train properly and build up endurance and resilience thresholds, alongside your base fitness. This will enable you to cope with the distance, and provide the ability to recover between stages during the challenge. You will have access to an event specific training guide to aid with your training and preparation
You are responsible for your personal items on the event. An equipment and clothing list will be available to download from the participant’s area on the Thames Path Challenge website|.
You will need a day pack (c30L) to carry the recommended personal items throughout the event including wet weather gear, warm clothing, water, snacks, sun protection, personal first aid kit, and personal items.
Approximately every 12km or so there are manned checkpoints and replenishment stops with water, tea, coffee, soup, juices, and snacks.
Hot meals are served by our specialist catering team at the approx 50km, 75km, and 100km stops. You should bring a packed lunch for the first 25km major stop.
At the finish there will be a celebratory brunch available to all participants (supporters are welcome but will be charged a fee).
You must be 16 years or over on the date of the event (14 September 2013) to enter the Thames Path Challenge.
If you or one of your team mates withdraw on medical grounds you will receive a full refund from Action Challenge of any registration fee paid (on supply of a medical certificate).
The Thames Path is well sign-posted but each stage of the challenge will also have it‘s own map which includes rest stops and route hazards. The route will be clearly signed with pink directional arrows with nighttime stages supplemented with reflective tape and glow sticks.
Prior to the challenge you will be sent an event pack - with a detailed kit and equipment list. You'll also be required to bring a head torch, reflective garments and a whistle for the night stages. As the night stages will be heavily supported by Action Challenge’s team of walkers you'll not be on the course by yourself. They will also be tracking every walker at each check point with electronic tagging. It will be compulsory for you to carry a charged mobile phone and there will be an emergency contact number and contact procedure in the unlikely event that you do get lost.
The Thames Path National Trail is generally a flat route as it follows the river - across bridges, and along paths mainly concrete and trails.
You will only be able to upgrade from the 50km to the 100km challenge prior to the event at an extra charge and you will then need to commit to the 100km fundraising target.
You will not however be able to upgrade your distance on the challenge. 50km walkers will wear different coloured numbers to the 100km walkers - so both groups will be easily identifiable.
If you unfortunately have to drop out of the challenge, you will need to do so at the nearest check-point if possible, where you will need to alert the event organisers who will 'log' you out of the event. If you are part of a team, the remaining team members will be welcome to continue on the challenge, and if there is only one team member left - they will join you with another group or the groups of 'individual' walkers who will be taking part.
Within the Participant Area, full information about transport links at the start and finish and approximate start times for the challenge will be published. Roughly one month prior to the challenge exact start times and specific joining information details will be sent to you as part of a departure pack.
If you have any further questions that aren't answered here, then get in touch with the Macmillan hiking team on 020 7840 7887 or e-mail: hiking@macmillan.org.uk|.
Email hiking@macmillan.org.uk| Call 020 7840 7887 Write to Team Macmillan, Room 1, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ