The Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside

Yes, we did it! We completed the 100 kilometre Trailwalker 2008 course in just under twenty eight and a half gruelling hours.  Blisters, aching limbs and the overwhelming feeling of tiredness left us for a fleeting couple of minutes whilst we were greeted by our wives and supporters, made our way through the check in procedures to receive our much treasured medals.  Then it was quickly up on the rostrum for photographs and to spray champagned like formula 1 drivers.  What a moment!  Something we will remember for a long time.   
We set off on Friday afternoon and set up camp, and then passed through the check-in, kit checks and registration before tucking into our dinner.  After that, it was early to bed.   
In the morning the atmosphere was electric as the myriad of tents were taken down and packed away as more than 500 teams prepared for the challenge ahead.  There were four start times – 6 a.m. 7 a.m. 8.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m.  We were in the 8.30 start.  We gathered at the start, butterflies were churning up the stomach whilst we listened to the speeches of the organisors.  A lone Gurkha piper played “Scotland the brave” from the hillside as we sent on our way, laughing and smiling masses, full of eager anticipation for what was ahead.  We couldn’t help thinking about how long it would be for the laughs to become scowls as we got into our stride.   
The first checkpoint was reached twenty minutes ahead of our schedule and after a short break we were on our way again. It was on this second leg that David slipped near to the top of Beacon Hill, but thankfully no serious damage was done.  As we passed checkpoints two, three and four we were progressing fairly comfortably, until poor old Rob started developing a few blisters.  He really had to grit his teeth to carry on for the remaining 40 odd miles to the finish.  God only knows how he did it.   
We were still in relatively good shape when we left checkpoint six for the night leg to seven.  It was this leg that was to cause us some real problems.  David was the first to crack, complaining of sharp pains in his knee on every hill.  Rob and Gerry took it in turns to carry his rucksack to ensure that he finished the leg.  By the time we reached checkpoint seven, David was near to exhaustion.  We were served a hot meal and were sitting together when Terry suddenly became ill.  Gerry was the first to spot the problem and quickly wrapped him in blankets and got him to the sleeping area.  Ann Nash gave him a hot cup of tea and he went to sleep.  He was suffering from hyperthermia giving us all cause for concern.  Ann quickly ordered David and Gerry to the sleep tent whilst Rob sat in the car with the heater on full blast.  After another half an hour or so we felt able to continue, but Terry was still looking rather frail.  Wrapped up in as many clothes as we could muster we set out for checkpoint eight at a much slower pace.  We were determined to support each other and get safely to the finish line.  Thankfully, that leg was shorter and took us through to dawn. More hot drinks and food were served up by our remarkable support crew before we set off for checkpoint nine, this leg being the longest on the course, so if we made it there, we felt confident that we would reach the end.
  Each mile was taking a little longer and we were taking breaks after every hour’s walking, giving us the opportunity to conserve what reserves of energy we had left.  By now we could observe lots of other competitors who were suffering just like us.  Our team spirit never waivered although there were plenty of others around us who were giving each other a hard time.  We finally made it to checkpoint nine which was reached by climbing a very steep hill.  That last kilometre felt like ten.  But we made it.  This was the last checkpoint where we would have the support crew with us, so we had to ensure that we carried plenty of water and provisions to see us through to the end. 
On the way to checkpoint ten, David was beginning to feel the hills again and had to make frequent stops.  Then poor old Rob succumbed to even more blisters which Gerry expertly dressed, allowing us to hobble on to the checkpoint.  After a short break for a cuppa, supplied this time by the organisors, we stepped out for the finish. 
Two more fairly stiff climbs and then it was relatively downhill all the way to Brighton.  we were continually passing other sufferers all the time, and some of them were in a really bad way.  The last couple of miles to the racecourse seemed like eternity but then just as we thought it would never arrive, there was the racecourse on the other side of the road.  We crossed over, and entered the track four furlongs from the finish.  We could now see the finishing line, the crowds of spectators, the banners and we could hear the piper and the announcements of the teams reaching the line.  200 yards out the course took us off of the track  and on to the finish.  The announcers voice boomed out “The team in the blue tee-shirts is “The loose cogs” of the Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside.  Well done and congratulations on finishing, it will stand you in good stead for next year.”  Terry was the first to react waiving his arms around signalling “No Way” whilst there were several expletives that made it clear that once was enough.  As we walked four abreast over the last few strides we were invited to do “high fives” with several of the spectators as we passed by.  Across the line – what a relief.  A hug from the wives and supporters before checking in and celebrating the moment.   Rob quickly went to the first aid tent for treatment to his ravaged feet, Terry had a quick check up and Gerry naturally went to get some food, this time a curry cooked by the Gurkhas and David found himself a seat and had no intention of moving.   A team of four, 100 kilometres in less than 30 hours.  They say it is the toughest team challenge ever, and we had somehow survived it – JUST!  All four of the walkers were unanimous in praising each and everyone of the entire back up steam without their support we definitely would not have made it.  Doug had delayed his medical treatment to ensure he didn’t let us down and his wife Ann together with Peter Burfoot were outstanding, together with help from Pat Burfoot, Lyn Finnegan, Eva Fenn and Mikaila Waite all did their bit.  And of course, not forgetting nine year old Jessica Waite who was so proud of her dad, Rob and rightly so.  He proved  that the banners along the route proclaiming “Brains over Blisters” were right.   
All of the team had their crisis at some point, but as a team they battled through them and triumphed.   It was tough but both walkers and support crew were of the same opinion, it was a magnificent and well organised event and the atmosphere was electric.  The comradery between the teams showed real friendship and warmth, but most of all collectively we all raised an awful lot of money for Oxfam and The Gurkha Welfare Trust.  Oxfam will be using their share to feed the thousands suffering in Dharfour whilst the people of Nepal will benefit from the work of The Gurkha Welfare Trust.   
Our sincere thanks to each and every one of you who have supported us – For together we are strong.
For photographs of our Trailwalker please click here

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