The longest non

Ernie Jewson and Gary Jacketts are taking part in this race....follow their progress here once the race starts....

WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE 2009 STARTING AT 10AM FROM THE MORRELL ROOMS, STREATLEY, BERKSHIRE RG8 9HT

LEG	Leg dist (miles)	Leg time (hrs)	Tot dist (miles)	Tot time (hrs)	CP closes	ERNIE "KIWI"	GARY "GLORIFIED TRAFFIC WARDEN"
10:00am Start Wednesday 24^th June
Streatley – Hurley CP1	27.25	8	27.25	8	18:00 Wed	leaving 2.54pm	6 hrs in all OK
Hurley – Chertsey CP2	27.8	8	55.05	16	02:00 Thur	leaving 9.45pm	arrived 12am
Chertsey – Yiewsley CP3	27.2	10	82.25	26	12:00 Thur	left 6.30am Thurs	retired
Yiewsley – Berkhamsted CP4	23.6	8	105.85	34	20:00 Thur	left 3.30pm ish
Berkhamsted – Milton Keynes CP5	24.35	8	130.2	42	04:00 Fri
Milton Keynes – Nether Heyford CP6	26.95	11	157.15	53	15:00 Fri	RETIRED 1.45pm Friday 26/6/09
N. Heyford – Fenny Compton CP7	25.99	12	183.14	65	03:00 Sat
F. Compton – Lower Heyford CP8	22.84	12	205.98	77	15:00 Sat
Lower Heyford – Abingdon CP9	23.55	12	229.53	89	03:00 Sun
Abingdon – Streatley Finish CP10	18.83	11	248.36	100	14:00 Sun

The Route will follow three waterways, starting from Streatley in Berkshire. The route follows the Thames Path towards London passing Reading, Windsor, and Weybridge to Brentford. Here it turns north following the Grand Union Canal passing Rickmansworth, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes and Gayton to Napton Junction. From here it turns south on the South Oxford Canal passing Fenny Compton, Banbury and Lower Heyford to Oxford where it will rejoin the Thames Path to finish at Streatley.

We believe this to be the longest non-stop running event ever staged in the UK. Although the official waterways distance is 256 miles, (412 kms) runners will cover the approximate equivalent of 10 marathons, around 260 miles (418 kms).
The inaugural race will start at 10:00am on Wednesday 24th June, and finish at 14:00pm on Sunday 28th June, giving a maximum of 100 hours to complete the course. There is a race limit of 100 entrants.
Depending upon success, it is intended to hold this event bi-annually.

Runners will be required to be self-sufficient for 26 to 30 miles between checkpoints/feed stations. Support teams for individual runners will NOT be permitted. We consider that those with support crews would have too great an advantage over unsupported runners. However, those who would be able to get support are encouraged to offer this to the organisers for the benefit of all competitors. Those so doing will receive a £25 discount off the entry fee for each marshal they bring giving 24 hours help. The cost of the entry has been provisionally set at £125. The discount, up to a maximum of £75 (e.g. 1 helper for 3 days or 3 helpers for 1 day) will be paid after the event. It will at the absolute discretion of the race organisers as to which offers of help are accepted.

The start (and finish) will be at Streatley. We have made a provisional booking of the Morrell Rooms there. The Thames Path goes right past the door, so this makes an ideal location. Goring on Thames railway station is approximately half a mile from this venue.

The race will be run anti-clockwise, allowing competitors to complete the more difficult-to-navigate “London” region while still fresh on the first day. The event is not intended as a test of navigation. A route description and map of each section between checkpoints will be available. Runners are required to carry (or purchase en-route) sufficient nourishment for each section. They must also have full body cover and a mobile phone. For competitors requiring rest breaks, basic tented accommodation will be provided at some checkpoints.

Hiking-poles, buddies (on foot or bike) and support teams are prohibited. Any runner found to be receiving support from friends or family will be disqualified.