A few months ago I came across some runners taking part in an amazing event, the Brathay 10 in 10 Challenge. While following this on twitter I was pointed to another event called the Forces March.
This took part on May 25th -30th 2011 between Ilfracombe and Bulford Camp and it is a mind numbing 133miles in length.
One of the runners, Sylvia Jones, has written this review. Read and be inspired. I know I have been.
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If you want a challenge, to travel through some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain and don’t mind a few nights in fields under canvas then this is the event for you. The Forces march follows in the footsteps of men from 6th Airborne Division who took on the immense challenge of walking the 133 miles from Ilfracombe to Bulford in August 1942 following a month of training on the North Devon coast. The money raised by charity Project65 goes to support veterans of UK armed forces. www.project65.net.
I entered this event with my friend and fellow Bedford Harrier 83 year old Iva Barr. As a back of the pack marathon runner I was a bit concerned about how we would manage and if we would keep up. I needn’t have worried. The whole approach is informal whilst the facilities and support are organized with typical military efficiency. Project65 go out of their way to help you to reach your goals for the event be it running or walking, one stage or the whole route. The other competitors, a mixture of military and civilian teams together with individual entrants were very friendly and we enjoyed the tea and banter each evening in the mess tent.
Iva and I categorized ourselves as walkers even though we planned to use a mixture of marching and running to cover the distance. The first day started with ceremony at 10am by the Deputy Mayor and Town Crier of Ilfracombe and we began to climb the first of many steep hills to be tackled over the next 5 days. The runners started at 11am each day and it was very sociable as they caught us up and exchanged a few words.
The first day we covered just over 27 miles. Whilst the Forces March bills itself as 5 marathons in 5 days the length of the stages are determined by the distances between campsites. The longest stage was about 30 miles and the shortest 24. Water stops also varied in distance and quality from large bottles of water to top up your canteen to glorious spreads of fruit and cake provided by the local British Legion. Support cars were out on the course all day to provide assistance and extra supplies of jellybeans and bananas if needed.
I was able to draw on Iva’s extensive marathon and long distance walking experience and learnt to pace myself taking the uphills steadily and trotting the downs. This meant that although we started as the sweep car driver’s best friends at the beginning of the week, we moved up the pack as several of the other participants suffered injuries or blisters through inexperience. Despite this, the busy roads on day 3 and 4 meant that I got mentally very tired concentrating on the traffic and Iva was having trouble with her balance. On day 3 I had hauled her out of ditch and we didn’t want her to fall over again. The lovely St John’s ambulance crew were keeping a close eye on us but at Castle Cary, half way, on day 4 we came to a mutual agreement to stop for the day. A support car took us on to the next campsite where we took some well earned rest, a proper meal and even a (small) glass of wine.
The organizers have no problem with you starting again the next day. This is a personal challenge not a race. Suitably refreshed and fortified we started the final day in good spirits. The final day had the feeling of festival about it from the start. We were saluted by British Legion flag bearers in one village and celebrated by a christening party in another. Poor little Georgie seemed to think Iva was the Queen! After the final long hill up to the Forces festival ground in Bulford we were escorted like royalty past the finish and to the stage to be presented with our dog tags. One of the disabled competitors was waiting with cups of tea and we were finally able to relax and celebrate our 121 mile achievement in front of the live music stage.
In summary if you want a real challenge without having to jet off to the desert (and don’t underestimate just how hard a challenge this is). To walk or run in beautiful countryside, meet great people and don’t mind roughing it in a tent for a few days. If you are relaxed about distances and times, make completion of the event for a great cause your goal then this could be the one for you.
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