The “Druid Challenge” Ridgeway Multistage Ultra
November 12^th– 14^th 2010

82 miles 3 days!

Extreme Energy are delighted to announce the 2^nd  “Druid Challenge” a multistage race along the oldest roadway in the UK, dating back to 3000BC.

The route follows the Ridgeway path from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Barbury Castle near Swindon in Wiltshire.

This event will suit those who want a new challenge, people looking for an alternative to running marathons, those training for events like the Marathon des Sables or anyone who loves seeing the beautiful English countryside.

The event is open to runners and walkers.

Event – The “Druid Challenge” Ridgeway Multistage Ultra

Date – 12-11-09 – 14-11-09

Format – 3 Days event covering 26 – 29 miles each day

Cost - £120 for the 3 days or £40 for individual days (this is inclusive of all food and accommodation)

Start – Day 1 – Ivinghoe Beacon

- Day 2 – Watlington

- Day 3 – Wantage

Finish – Barbury Castle

Accommodation:

Day 1 – Watlington College

Day 2 - Wantage Leisure centre

Both days we will be sleeping in large halls

Facilities:

Showers at both sites, pool available on 2^nd night

Food:

All food will be provided for Friday and Saturday Evening, Saturday and Sunday morning. There will also be water and some food available at each checkpoint (please do not rely on checkpoint food as your only fuel, this should be viewed as additional to the fuel you carry yourself.)

Kit:

We will transport all non running kit each day. 1 bag per competitor. For those training for the Marathon Des Sables or similar you may wish to carry all your kit which is fine by us.

You will need to bring running gear for the 3 days, minimum compulsory list is below.

You will also need to bring overnight gear for the 2 nights including sleeping bag, sleeping mat, wash gear, clothes for evenings, swimming gear anything else to make you comfortable.

Compulsory Kit:

-          Running shoes or walking boots

-          Running gear

-          Long trousers / leggings

-          Thermal top

-          Buff Warm hat

-          Waterproof

-          Whistle

-          Emergency silver blanket

-          Mobile phone fully charged

-          Head torch and spare batteries (absolutely vital)

-          Optional – Ridgeway map (recommend the Harvey Ridgeway all on one map)

Transportation:

Day 1 am – there will be minibuses picking up regularly from Tring Station

Day 2 pm – transportation to overnight accommodation

Day 2 evening – pick up available from Princes Risborough Station for those running day 2 and 3. (please let us know train arrival times (not before 1800)

Day 2 am – transportation start

Day 2 pm – transportation to overnight accommodation

Day 3 am – transportation to start

Day 3 pm – transportation to Swindon Station

Medical:

There will be a first aider on hand through out the event. We will also transport any major injuries to local hospitals as required.

Massage:

We will have one or two people available for 15 minute sports massages at an additional cost. Bookable on arrival each evening.

Outline Daily Schedule:

        Day 1

–         1000 walkers start

–         1100 runners start

–         1200 sub 5 hour runners start

–         1700 most competitors will have finished

–         1800 evening meal available from this time

Day 2

-          0600 – breakfast available / morning briefings for walkers

-          0700 – walkers start

-          0730 – morning briefing for runners

-          0800 – 1^st runners start

-          0900 – 2^nd runners start

-          1600 – most competitors finish

-          1400 – 1800 – Pool available for use by all competitors

-          1800 – evening meal available from this time

-          1930 – MDS Forum with Rory Coleman and Jen Slater

-          2000 – Competitors Party ! (Bar open till 1100)

Day 3

-          0600 – breakfast available / morning briefings

-          0700 – walkers start

-          0800 – 1^st runners start

-          0830 – 2^nd runners start

-          0900 – 3^rd runners start

-          1600 – most competitors finish

-          1400 – 1800 – buses to Swindon Station

Route details, check point locations, open / close times etc are detailed further on.

Categories and Prizes:

The “Druid Challenge” Ridgeway Multistage Ultra

       1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Overall Male

       1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Overall Female

       1^st Male over 40, over 50 and over 60

       1^st Female over 40, over 50 and over 60

Route / Navigation:

The route follows the length of the Ridgeway. It is marked the whole way by signs with white acorns on them. So long as you keep your eyes open navigation is straightforward. You may want to bring a map with you, but you should not need it.

Supporters / Volunteers:

If there are any supporters of competitors that want to support throughout the event then we would love to have you along.

If you are able to help man checkpoints / water stations etc then we would be prepared to provide you with food and accommodation for free throughout the event.

The advantage for the competitor is of course not just that they have someone cheering them along and getting their food in the evening !!,  more importantly they have someone there to take them home.

Start / Finish Transportation:

There will be numerous options for transportation to and from the start.

The ideal option is that you manage your own transportation via public transport or car with someone picking you up at the end.

There is parking at the start, it is not secure so vehicles are left at owners own risk.

We will provide the following:

6^th November

Pick up from Tring in the morning prior to the start times and transport you to the start

Evening pick up from Princes Risborough station available after 1800. Please let us know your arrival time.

8^th November

Take from the finish to Swindon mainline station as and when we have enough people to make a journey. It is only 20 mins away so we can do this quite regularly.

Other Options

The minibuses and some cars will need to head back to the Tring area once the event is completed on the Sunday afternoon / evening. We would be able to transport some people in this way. You will need to be patient with us as we close the event down.

My suggestion would be that you try and be independent so that you don’t have to wait, but we will do all we can to accommodate individual requirements.

Route Detail:      

Below are details of the Start, Finish and Checkpoints for the event with CP cut off times.

Day 1

- Parking for registration Grid 961161
- Start – Grid SP961169 (Ivinghoe Beacon)
- CP1 – Grid SP872074 - 11 miles open from 1200 – 1430
- CP2 – Grid SP823036 – 17 miles open from 1300 – 1600
- CP3 – Grid SP760002 – 22 miles open from 1400 - 1730
- Finish – Grid SU687949 – 29 miles open from 1500 – 2000

Day 2

- Start – Grid SU687949
- CP1 – Grid SU667873 – 7 miles open from 0830 – 1030
- CP2 – Grid SU601815 – 16 miles open from 1030 – 1230
- CP3 – Grid SU509819 – 23 miles open from 1200 – 1530
- Finish – Grid SU458850 – 27 miles open from 1330 – 1700

Day 3

- Start – Grid SU458850
- CP1 – Grid SU344851 – 8 miles open from 0830 – 1030
- CP2 – Grid SU232814 – 16.5 miles open from 1100 – 1300
- Finish - Grid SU155761

Hospitals For Medical Emergency

- Day 1 – Aylesbury – Stoke Mandeville, Mandeville Road – 01296 315000
- Day 1 / 2 – Wallingford – Wallingford Community Hospital, Reading Way – 01494208500 
- Day 2 – Wantage – Wantage Community Hospital, Garston Lane – 01235764343
- Day 3 – Swindon – The Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon – 01793604020
- Day 3 – Marlborough – Savernake Hospital, London Road – 01672517200

Emergency contact numbers

Neil – 07801244628
Anna – 07793781499

Entrance Form:

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Help For Heroes:

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