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The ChallengeFor the Thames Path Challenge 2014, we havedone our best to give you the opportunity tocomplete the challenge in anyway you like. Whetherit be as a runner, walker, 25, 50 or 100 kmchallenger.

Once you have read the information, if you feel youwould like to attempt the challenge in a different wayor if any of your personal details change, such ashome address, email or medical details, pleasecontact a member of the Action Challenge team,info@thamespathchallenge.com. Alternatively youcan log back into your registration and update yourpersonal details there, please take a look at theparticipant area for more information on how to dothis.

Running vs. WalkingThe Thames Path Challenge 2014 broadly consistof 2 categories of participants. These are ‘runners’or ‘walkers’ for the purposes of on-eventlogistics/start.

Welcome to theThames PathChallenge 2014This ‘Challenge Manual’ should provideyou with a complete guide to the 2014Challenge and will contain all theinformation you will need in order toeffectively prepare yourself for the event.Please read it carefully and refer back toit as you get ready for the Thames PathChallenge 2014.

Contents

2. The Challenge

3. Walking vs. Running

4. What's Included

4. The Start & Finish of theChallenge

5. Route & Support

6. Safety

Following the Tow Path…

Support all the way….

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There are a variety different distance options for thewalkers on the challenge (see below for details)

1. 100 km

The 100 km challenge is just over 60 miles and theaim is to complete the course between 16 - 33 hrs.This involves walking through both the day and nightto get from Fulham to Henley. The event is difficultand you will need to train for it in order to stand agood chance of completing the course.

2. 50 km Fulham to Runnymede orRunnymede to Henley-on-Thames.

For the 50 km option, if you want to complete thewalk in the day light you will have the option to eitherwalk the first leg of the course, from Fulham toRunnymede or from Runnymede to Henley. Whetheryou have completed one half already and want to dothe rest of the 100 km course, or simply prefer thescenery in one particular location, the choice is yours.

3. 50 km Runnymede to Henley-on-Thames;Night Walk

We are also offering you the chance to do thesecond 50 km challenge as a night walk. This willstart before midnight on Saturday 13th of Septemberand see you walking through the night fromRunnymede to Henley-on-Thames. If you arelooking for something a little different this could befor you.

4. 25 km Walk - Fulham to Hampton, Hampton toRunnymede, Runnymede to Cookham, Cookhamto Henley

We have also added four 25 km options to theThames Path Challenge, which is aimed as a greatopportunity for friends and family to give part of thechallenge a go, without taking on the full distance.For those looking for a great day out, but perhaps notquite ready for the full distance, this is a great way toexperience trekking at its best.

RunnersRunners are participants who have specificallysigned up as such. There are five potential eventsfor the runners, the entire 100 km challenge,either half of the 100 km course as a 50 kmrun or the 1st and 3rd 25 km.

Runners should aim to complete the 100 kmChallenge in less than 15 hours. This category isfor people who are likely to have completed atleast one marathon before and are keen longDistance runners.

The 50 km running challenge is aimed to becompleted in less than 7 hours. Participants canselect to do either half of the 50 km course, (eitherFulham to Runnymede or Runnymede to Henley).

The 25 km running challenge is aimed to becompleted in less than 3 hours. Participants canselect to do either the first 25 km (Fulham toHampton) or the 3rd 25 km option (Cookham toHenley) All runners will start before the walkers.

JoggingFor those of you who are planning on Jogging parts ofthe challenge, but will perhaps not make it within therequired time frames to be classified as a runner, werecommend remaining as a walker on yourregistration. If you do later feel that it may be moreappropriate to classify yourself as a runner, we canalways change your registration over to reflect this.

However if you are planning on jogging the challengeplease be aware, that you may well finish thechallenge before the trains are running in the morning- or after they have finished at night; which may makeit difficult for you to exit the event. In that case you maywant to consider either being collected from the finishline, or perhaps booking some accommodation closeby.

WalkersAfter the runners have started their challenge, thewalkers will be released in 15 minute time slotsthroughout the rest of the morning. Participants canselect which hour they would like to start in uponregistration (subject to availability) and will bedesignated their 15 minute window a few weeksbefore the event. If ‘walkers’ find they are quicker thanthey anticipated and complete the challenge within theexpected time frame by jogging a bit here and there –that’s fine, however they should still class themselvesas walkers.

The Start and Finish ofthe ChallengeThe Start Line (At all Locations)

On the morning of the challenge all participantswill be expected to register at the start of theirchallenge, to collect their event pass, maps andother items before the event. We recommendarriving at least 30 minutes before your start timein order to make sure you have plenty of time toregister before your start window and check yourbag in to be transferred if applicable.

The Start in Fulham

Available at the start of the challenge will be acharity village, a corporate hospitality tent, accessto refreshments such as tea and coffee, as well ashot food. There will also be toilet facilities, an areato warm up for the event and medics on handshould you need them.

The Finish Line (At all locations)

There will be a complimentary shuttle service fromthe finish locations to the local train station, duringthe hours in which the trains are running. Therewill also be a finishers meal for participants andfood and drinks available for purchase by friendsand family.

We encourage participants to get collected fromthe finish by supporters where possible. You willbe extremely tired, physically exhausted and willmost likely want to get home as quickly and ascomfortably as possible. Shuttle services to thetrain stations will be dependent on when coachesbecome full, so may involve some hangingaround. However there will be a medical team,masseurs and a quiet zone at the finish so thatparticipants can rest and relax after the event.

What’s Included in YourChallenge25 km - If you are doing the 25 km challenge you areprovided with:

● Event pack at registration● Teas & Coffees at the start of the challenge● Energy snacks & drinks at 12.5 km● Finishers BBQ on completion of the challenge,

a medal and a finishers t-shirt.

50 km – If you are doing the 50 km challenge you areprovided with:

● Event pack at registration.● Teas and Coffees at the start of the challenge.● A mid-point meal stop where you are provided

with the option to purchase lunch or provideyour own packed lunch.

● Snacks & drinks at 12.5 km & 37.5 km● Then a finishers BBQ on completion of the

challenge, a medal and a finishers t-shirt.

100 km – If you are doing the 100 km challenge youare provided with:

● Event pack at registration.● Teas and Coffees at the start of the challenge.● A mid-point meal stop at 25 km where you are

provided with the option to purchase lunch orprovide your own packed lunch.

● Snacks & drinks every 12.5 km● Two further hot meal stops which are included

in the cost of your registration.● Then a finishers BBQ on completion of the

challenge, a medal and a finishers t-shirt.

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SupportIn order to facilitate your challenge and ensureyour safety, our team will support you in a numberof ways throughout the event. All Event Staff willbe easily identifiable in high visibility vests. Theseinclude:

Event Managers, Coordinators – Responsiblefor the set up and operational management ofeach Rest Stops and Mid-Points on route. Thereis also a Route Management Team responsiblefor ensuring signage stays in place and monitoringparticipant progress, and you are likely to meetthem en route.

Medics – At Action Challenge we take safety veryseriously. There will be medics available at allRest Stops and Mid-Point Stops in the first aidzone, as well as mobile medics in rapid responsevehicles for emergencies, injuries and accidents.Medics vary from first aid qualified staff, nurses,paramedics and doctors. The latter checkpointswill also have a limited number ofmassage/sports/physiotherapist reserved forthose who need it as determined by our eventmedics staff available.

Pace Walkers– Along the course we will haveofficial marshals who will run or walk sections ofthe course in a supporting role. Their jobs are tomotivate, encourage as well as advise the controlroom of any new hazards that should developalong the route. The size of the event means thatwe cannot guarantee that all participants wouldhave the opportunity to walk/run with marshals ifdesired (again a good reason for Individuals toteam up with others).

Summary of Route &Navigation AidsThe total 100 km course is split into 4 stages ofapproximately 25 km each. Overall, the routefollows the Thames Towpath. The route selectioncriteria take in to account safety, scenery andaccessibility. Please ensure you are familiar withand adhere to both the Countryside and HighwayCode.

The route will be posted to the participant area as aPDF document, a GPX file, and KML file (for use onGoogle Earth and Google Maps). Google MapLinks will also be posted so that participants canaccess the entire route, and you will also be handeda hard copy of the route on the morning of thechallenge.

The route will be clearly signed with PINKARROWS (which are directional) and PINKRIBBONS (non- directional - that mean you are onthe right route), with WHITE GLOW STICKS alsoduring the night time. In the outskirts ofvillages/towns this signage may become harder tospot, so please familiarise yourselves with the routebefore the Challenge, and have the Route Map withyou and track your progress on it so you are awareof your assumed location. It is your responsibilitynot to get lost!

Rest StopsThe route is divided into 4 stages with major foodand rest stops at approx. 25, 50, and 75 km, andthen broken down with midpoint checkpoints every12.5 km or so with a full supply of snacks, drinksand a chance for you to recuperate with medics,doctors, massage, and support staff on hand. Hotfood is supplied at the 25, 50 & 75 km rest stopsand the finish.

Supporters are particularly encouraged to join in atthe start, the 50 km midpoint and the finish – alllocations will have lots of car park space, and food/ drink for sale for supporters.

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Retiring from the ChallengeWhen on the event if you need to exit / drop-out at any stage, please inform the Event Staff. Any participantwho drops out at a Rest Stop or Midpoint from 50 km onwards will be able to take a coach / minibus transferto the train station (if during operational times) or the next Rest Stop (if dropping out at a Mid-Point only) withgreater facilities. Prior to the 50 km rest stop it will be your responsibility to make your own way back, unlessit is an emergency situation. There are bus stops and other stations en route.

Taxis can be organised for you from the ‘site info point’ at any time at any stop. If you feel like just droppingout between stops you should call a Taxi, get a bus, or arrange to be picked up.

The Event will have cut off departure times from each Rest Stop/Mid-Points based on the 30 hour upper endtime for the 100 km challenge. If anyone fails to meet these cut off times, then Action Challenge, theOrganiser, reserves the right to withdraw participants from the event.

Emergency Procedures & The Control RoomBased in our London office, the control room oversees the management and coordination of the event. Theyare the ‘eyes in the sky’ and the voice on the phone. All emergency and non - emergency calls are fieldedthrough the central control room. If you find yourself in trouble, lose your way or have any questions at all ourteam are on hand throughout the entire duration of the Challenge. The Control room is in constant contactwith all members of the Action Challenge team and will dispatch staff out to come and get you should yourequire it!

Contact details will be provided in the Route Packs issued at registration – and remember - bring a fullycharged mobile phone and put the control room contact details in it, as you might need them!

Finally….The Challenge Manual is designed to be your base guide for the Thames Path Challenge and to be read inconjunction with the rest of the material on the Participants Area of the website, (such as the training guides,fundraising information, accommodation guide and joining and departure information.) This information willbe updated constantly throughout the lead up to the challenge. Please keep returning to check for updatesand also note down any key dates you will need.

If you have any questions in relation to this guide or anything to do with the challenge, please feelfree to email us at info@thamespathchallenge.com or call 0207 609 6695.

The Thames Path Challenge, Action Challenge, London.

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