Last updated June 29, 2024

9th A Coventry Way Challenge Commentary

3 September 2006

It has now been a month since the 2006 A Coventry Way Challenge – this may be a suitable point at which to reflect on the day.

First of all, congratulations to all who achieved their personal target on September 3rd. One particular record has been brought to my attention by a reliable source – that Mark Swift and Dave Halford are tying for completing the most Challenges – 6-a-piece.

Thanks, in particular, must go to those who have spent much of August making sure that the Way was clear.

Along the Way we had several new people looking after you at the check-points. Hazel and Adrian Dyke who have manned Kenilworth for many years have now moved away from the area – we thank them and wish them well. John Green stood into the breach with his certain style and aplomb. Meanwhile, Iris and Cyril Bean (Mr & Mrs A Coventry Way) were unavailable for their usual stint at Bubbenhall – here the gap was filled by Tina and Bill Eve, who looked after you so well. Further along the Way you might have noticed the ‘For Sale’ board at checkpoint 3, where Martin and Gillian Cross were your hosts for the last time, they hope.

At Bretford a water and loo stop was provided by Maureen Harris, a plan is in place for a visitor’s book for 2007 to find out who makes use of the facility. Brinklow was looked after by the Breakfast Club as ever, however it was rookie Terry Lewins who master-minded the effort this year – hopefully this will now be part of Terry’s annual early season build-up to refereeing football matches.

Between Brinklow and Bedworth, for the past couple of years, Algy has provided a surprise supply of water for you in the Ansty vicinity. This year Alan Townend was ‘Algy’. Likewise, at the other secret checkpoint location (Barnacle), this year was manned by Irene Rogers and Sue Hallett.

The official checkpoint at Bedworth saw Maureen & Jim Chapman out on their front lawn to welcome the Challengers, M&J were assisted by Sue Bicknell. Three miles further on I was grateful for the company of Ken Nicholas at the Breach Oak Lane checkpoint. Later on at Corley Moor there was Mary, Gwen and Georgina each taking their turn at providing that extra special customer care with the final encouragement for all who passed by. At the end of the day it was David Burrin who walked backwards along the Way looking for the lost soul who meanwhile had arrived at Meriden by taxi !

On to the efforts of Anne Wade who this year master-minded the refreshments that you experienced throughout the day. Then having done the 40 miles, Anne took over at Meriden village hall (from Greta Shields and Ginny Haw – both achieving their 18 mile target to Wolston). In the hall there was quite a crowd around the tables eating and chatting about the course.

Underpinning the whole day, as usual is the effort put in by Bob Carey who has not only taken your entry but strimmed and strimmed and strimmed. Then on the day started you off, kept track of your progress, then counted you all back in.

A consignment of the traditional A Coventry Way 40-miler T-shirts were available for the day (thanks to the efforts by Ian of print5.co.uk). In addition a new 40 miler badge was also made available to those who completed the Way. For your interest the sales were as follows, 27 T-shirts and 18 badges.

It was particularly pleasing to get into the Queen’s Head at the end of the day just as a large celebration party complete with proud ACW green T-shirt wearers were leaving.

So that is my summary of Challenge Day for 2006. No doubt many valuable contributions towards the success of the day will have been missed out of this commentary. Nevertheless, please do put a note in your diary for Sunday September 2nd 2007, so that we can all do it again next year.

Bob Brandon