Weldmar’s Jurassic Coast Challenge
th Sunday 29 April 2018
About the challenge
Our First Jurassic Coast Challenge to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare is set for 2018!
This is a day challenge with a 26 mile and 13 mile route option both following the beautiful South West Coast Path to the finish line in Studland.
The 26 mile route will start with a good luck crowd from Durdle Door one of Dorset’s most famous landmarks following the rugged and steep coastline.
At Worth Matravers the 13 mile trek joins us to finish the challenge in the beautiful coastal town of Studland for celebratory refreshments with family, friends and Weldmar staff who will cheer you over the finish line.
The routes take in some of the most breath-taking views of the Jurassic coastline, turquoise waters and the natural limestone arch of Durdle Door, the clay ledges stretching out to sea at Kimmeridge Bay, the Norman Chapel at St Aldems head and the three chalk formation of Old Harry Rocks.
Registration Includes
- Information Pack - Fundraising Support and dedicated Weldmar Fundraiser - Event T-shirt - Route Map - Check Point Cards - Fuel Stations - Trek support guides - Celebratory refreshments - Finishers Medal
Registration Fees and Sponsorship
13 miles Worth Matravers – Studland £25 with £150 Minimum Sponsorship 26 miles Durdle Door – Studland £35 with £200 Minimum Sponsorship
Weldmar Hospicecare must receive minimum sponsorship by 4 weeks after the challenge. Those who fail to raise the minimum sponsorship amount will be liable to pay the balance to Weldmar. The registration fee is non-refundable and places are non-transferable.
Who can participate?
The Jurassic Coast Challenge can be undertaken by confident walkers aged 16+. Any walker under the age of 18 will require parental or guardian consent to participate and participate with a registered adult.
What support will there be on the challenge?
The route will be clearly signed posted, support guides and marshals will be along the South West Coast Path to assist with any questions as well as lead and tail
walkers. Regular check points will be positioned and you will be supplied with a map on the day. Every Participant must check into each designated check point by the cut off time which will be specified in your preparation pack prior to the event, any walker who does not pass the check point by the specified cut off time will continue the walk at their own risk. Any participant who has not finished the event by 8.30pm but chooses to continue does so at their own risk. After 8.30pm the participant will be classified as no longer part of the event.
How tough is the challenge and how fit do I need to be?
The Coast Path involves some very steep ascents and descents, walking across varied terrain, muddy foot paths and stony trails making it a challenging walk. The walk will require a good level of fitness. It is important that you train and prepare yourself for the walk. If you are unsure of your capability to walk the distance you should seek GP advice before the challenge. Also remember this is not a race and is designed for walkers to trek at their own pace and enjoy the challenge!
How should I train?
This challenge covers a long distance and requires good stamina. If you are not a regular walker we strongly advise you train for this challenge by taking part in regular hill walking. You should be of a good level of fitness before taking on this challenge to give you the best chance of completing either route. Any training walks should be completed in your boots and clothing you intend to wear.
How long does the walk take?
Depending on your average walking speed the 26 mile walk will take approximately 7–11 hours and the 13 mile walk will take approximately 4 – 6 hours.
Please note that the distances may change slightly due to any circumstances that result in the schedule being altered for safety reasons.
Where does the walk start?
The 26 mile option begins on The South West Coast Path at Man O’ War for views of Durdle Door.
The 13 mile option begins at Worth Matravers where you join the 26 mile walkers at the Winspit Quarry point on the coast Path.
Where does the trek finish?
Both walks finish in the village of Studland for celebratory refreshments and bubbly!
What time does the walk start?
Registration for the 26 mile option will open at 6.30am and the walk begins at 7.30am Registration is at Durdle Door Caravan Park West Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5PU
Registration for the 13 mile option will open at 11.00am and the walk begins at 12.00pm
Registration is at Worth Matravers Village Hall Pikes Lane, Swanage BH19 3LQ
Where do I park?
We highly recommend being dropped off or parking at your starting location and family and friends can collect you from the finish line and share the celebrations!
There are parking facilities at Durdle Door Caravan Park BH20 5PU. Parking charges apply – 1 Hour £2.50 / 2 Hours £4 / 4 Hours £5 / 6 Hours £7.50 / All day £9
There is no Parking at Worth Matravers Village Hall The Car Park behind the Square and Compass Pub BH19 3LE £2 donation to park
Family and friends meeting you at the finish line can park at South Beach BH19 3AU or Middle Beach Carpark BH19 3AX in Studland. Parking Charges apply - 1 Hour £1.50 2 Hours £3 All day £4
Will there be transport between locations?
Details on options and availability will be released nearer the time. This is dependent on the number of registrations and a small fee will apply.
Do I need insurance?
We advise that you take out your own personal accident insurance for this challenge. This is not mandatory and is a personal option.
Weldmar Hospicecare will take all reasonable care to ensure that this event is conducted in a safe manner. However all challenges are not risk free and Weldmar cannot be held responsible for any damage, injury or loss arising from the negligence of participants, whether through failure to observe the rules or otherwise. We highly recommend that you take out personal accident insurance before taking part. You will be requested to wear a medical wristband during the challenge which will contain contact details on your emergency contact, any medical conditions and personal information as well.
Can my Friends and Family join me at the end?
Family and Friends are welcome to join you for the celebratory refreshments as you come over the finish line! Refreshments for walkers are included in the registration fee; friends and family members must purchase their refreshments on the day.
Families and friends who wish to see you over the brow of the hill down to Old Harry rocks and walk the last mile with you are welcome to. The path up to Old Harry Rocks is 1 mile and is a steady incline along a path and across a field.
A-Z of the challenge
A is for Attitude One of the most important things to bring on the day is a positive attitude. This challenge is about enjoying the day and raising money for Weldmar Hospicecare.
B is for Boots You will need good quality hiking boots that are broken in. If you need to purchase boots for the challenge please ensure you wear them in in advance. Good ankle support and strong soles are advised. Comfortable boots will give you a better chance of completing the challenge and make it more enjoyable for your feet!
C is for Camera There will be plenty of opportunities to take photos of the stunning Dorset coastline.
D is for Dry Bag A top tip - pack your belongings within a dry bag inside your ruck sack – we know how much it likes to rain in the UK! Ruck Sack covers are not effective at keeping your kit dry.
E is for Emergency You will need to provide an emergency contact for someone who is contactable and is not participating in the challenge. Should you fall unwell or have an accident we will contact this person.
F is for First Aid Kit Support Guides will carry full stocked first aid kits and trained First Aid persons will be available during the challenge however you should pack your own supply of plasters, blister plasters Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, etc. for your own use and any personal prescription medication.
F is for Fitness A good level of fitness is required for this challenge and training is mandatory. You should start training before the challenge including hill walking and cardiovascular workouts to improve your stamina and ability to walk up and down gradients. There are some very steep ascents and descents along the coastline and it’s very important to make sure you are as fit as can be and are confident with steep climbs to have the greatest chance of completing the challenge.
G is Guides Support guides will be with us on the day to encourage you along the way.
H is for Hydration You will need to stay well hydrated and drink plenty of water during the challenge. Some people prefer a camelback style water reservoir and some people prefer to carry water bottles. Bottled water will be provided at fuel stations however we advise that you start the trek with plenty of water. You can use fuel stations to replace or replenish your bottles or reservoirs.
I is Information Pack At least two weeks before the challenge you will receive an information pack containing important information about the day, registration times, check point and fuel station locations.
J is for Jolly We want everyone to have a fantastic experience and enjoy the day getting everyone across the finish line to celebrate!
K is for Kit Wearing the correct kit will make the challenge much more comfortable. You must wear non-cotton clothing such as items made from polyester, polypropylene, nylon or Merino wool. These technical garments are designed to wick moisture from your skin, leaving you and your clothing dry and comfortable to wear throughout the day. You should bring layers for optimal comfort for example a base layer, warmer mid layer such as a fleece plus a waterproof jacket and trousers. You can add and remove layers depending on the weather conditions which can be unpredictable. A pair of gloves is recommended, strong winds can make it feel cold along the cliff tops if the weather isn’t kind to us. A sun hat or warm hat is advised. Walking trousers or shorts are most suitable. Please do not wear jeans. Some people find hiking poles useful particularly during descents and some people will find them a hindrance. We advise that you try them on training walks to see if they suit you but they are not essential. We will be keeping track of the weather close to the event; however weather can change along the coast so it is best to be prepared. Please see full kit list.
L is Litter Walkers are reminded that they should be respectful of the countryside and South West Coast Path and take all litter home or use litter facilities where available.
N is for Nibbles Along both routes snacks and bottled water will be available from fuel stations. Should you wish to have any specific treats you must pack this yourself. We strongly advise packing a lunch. There will be plenty of places to stop for lunch with a view!
M is for Map You will be issued with a map and directions of the route on the day. The route can be subject to change due to landslides and path closures along the coastline. The South West Coast Path website makes regular updates of the current conditions of the route.
R is for Ruck Sack A ruck sack of 25-35 litres is about the right size. Enough to carry personal belongings, spare layers, snacks, water and sun screen – Yes we might see some sunshine and along the coast can be quite strong.
S is for Socks Make sure that you have well-fitting non-cotton socks for the challenge that are comfortable with your walking boots. Cotton Socks should be avoided because they absorb sweat therefore likely to rub and cause blisters. Socks containing Polyester, nylon or Merino all having wicking properties ensuring your feet stay cool and dry. These can be purchased from any outdoor adventure shop and are well worth investing in.
T is for Toilets During the challenge there will be limited toilets, there may be a chance of using coastal public toilets, if you need to use the toilet while out on the path please be considerate and “leave no trace behind”. Please carry a small amount of toilet paper but do not leave toilet paper behind, please take it with you in a plastic bag or nappy sack.
W is for Waterproofs You will need a lightweight waterproof coat and trousers which can be left in your daypack should they not be required. We are hoping for dry sunny weather however it could be wet and windy along the coast and it is important that you stay as warm and dry as possible and it is better to have more layers than not enough.
Kit List
Clothing
Broken in walking Boots Non-Cotton walking socks Non-Cotton base layer Mid layer or fleece Waterproof jacket Waterproof trousers Walking trousers or Shorts (Zip off options are a good choice) Light gloves
Essentials
Head Torch Sunglasses Mobile Phone Toilet Paper Nappy Sack Hand Sanitizer Sun Screen Water Bottle or Reservoir (Please fill this up prior to arriving at registration
First Aid Kit
Prescription Medicine Paracetamol & Ibuprofen Blister Plasters
Optional
Hiking Poles Camera Binoculars
Please note this list is a guideline and does not take into account your personal preference or requirements