Last updated April 17, 2023

24th A Coventry Way Challenge Commentary

2 April 2023
The work parties had been out in the weeks previous to the event, repairing stiles and trimming overgrown vegetation but there was nothing they could do to firm up the going which, due to the persistent and at times heavy rain over recent days, was at best soft and at worst waterlogged meaning some very heavy going in places.

ACWA Co-Presidents
Duncan and Nicky

The relocation of the event HQ to the Heart of England Social Club in Meriden provided a much more convivial environment for participants to register at the start and to relax, pick up their certificates, purchase merchandise and consume refreshments after finishing.

We were delighted to welcome Cyril and Iris Bean’s son Duncan and daughter Nicky, co-Presidents of the Association, to event HQ to give a helping hand and lend support.

We are keen to point out that this is a Challenge event and not a race, the challenge being to complete the distance within the prescribed time. To some participants the event is a hard walk to be enjoyed by taking in the natural environment and making social contact at the checkpoints; to others it is a challenge to be completed in the shortest possible time. The first participants in the starting field of 208 set off at just after 5am and the last person home arrived back at 8.57pm. The early starters set off in dark, cold and rather damp conditions, but as the day wore on the weather improved with the sun putting in a welcome appearance during the afternoon.

It was tough going in places, participants arriving at the finish carrying plenty of mud but also with smiles on their faces having achieved what they set out to do.

For some participants this year’s event had a particular relevance. For Tracey Darke it was both her 10th appearance and her birthday. It was the 10th appearance too for James Grant, Richard Clarke and Sally Hicks, all now part of the group of 18 walkers who have completed 10 or more ACWA Challenge events. Committee member Bob Carey presented them with their well-earned T-shirts.

Early afternoon and the first finishers started to arrive back at HQ, among them:

Paul Eaton

Ashok Gurung

Mike Reid

With participants able to chose their own start times finishing position doesn’t necessarily equate to the total time taken. The fastest time this year was recorded by the last starter Henry Blois-Brooke who completed the route in 6 hours 8 minutes.

Some interesting footwear…

…and some that didn’t survive

There is a load more photos, courtesy of Dave Mellor, on the 2023 Challenge gallery page