100 kilometres in 30 hours as Trailtrekker returns to Dales

Teams of ordinary people from across Yorkshire and beyond will come together in June to take part in Trailtrekker 2010, a non-stop 100km hike through some of the region's most breathtaking landscapes.

The event is organised by Oxfam, which hopes to raise 600,000 for projects helping some of the world's poorest people. The charity is looking to build on the success of last year's inaugural event, which saw 664 participants – some from as far afield as Australia – raise almost 400,000 between them.

The 62-mile circular walk will follow a near-identical route to last year's event, beginning and ending in Skipton, and taking in the stunning heights of Malham Edge and 2,100 ft Pen-y-Ghent as well as the rolling hills of Langstrothdale and Wharfedale. Participants have up to 30 blister-inducing hours to complete the course.

Oxfam are now looking for people to sign up – walkers must enter in teams of four, and be backed by supportive friends and family to meet them along the route with much-needed supplies of food, water, clothing and encouragement.

Rick Lay, Oxfam's fundraising manager, said Trailtrekker is "much more than a charity walk".

"The sweeping vistas of the Yorkshire Dales inspire walkers to keep going," he said. "The early part of the course is fairly gentle, following the canal to Gargrave – helping legs warm up for the rigours ahead.

"The first of the two testing climbs is Malham Cove, with its limestone curves formed by ancient waterfalls after the last ice age. After a 391-step ascent walkers will reach the famous limestone pavement with its breathtaking views across the Dales.

"The next challenge is Penyghent, one of Yorkshire's famous Three Peaks. The towering cliffs and dark caves are a magnificent sight, visible from many miles away. Trekkers then face a long descent but, once completed, the hardest part of the course is over.

"Walking through the night is a challenge, but also one of the most magical aspects of the event.

"The arrival back in Skipton is highly emotional, and trekkers are given a rousing reception before receiving medals and a well-earned hot meal and shower."

Many of last year's participants have already signed up for another attempt at a challenge which was originally conceived as a training exercise for the Gurkhas.

Carl Heron, a 48-year-old lecturer at Bradford University, completed the 2009 walk with three friends in under 25 hours.

"It just seemed like a wonderful challenge," he said. "The Dales are on our doorstep and it seemed like a fantastic opportunity to get out there.

"None of our team had ever done anything like it before. We're all 40-somethings and keep ourselves reasonably fit, but none of us were fitness fanatics."

Mr Heron's team – dubbed the Thornton Thunderbolts, after their home village near Bradford – began training last January for the 2009 trek, walking different stretches of the route throughout the spring.

On the day itself, Mr Heron said adrenaline also played its part in seeing the team round.

"It's more excitement than nervousness that you feel," he said. "It's really quite something to be part of this big event, with hundreds of people taking part. The weather was spectacular, and it was so exhilarating to finish."

Mr Heron and his fellow Thunderbolts have already signed up for the 2010 event, and plan to start training again later this month.

"I couldn't recommend it strongly enough," he said. "It's a remarkable experience – and it's not just the walk but the training, the team spirit, everything. You have to be prepared to work hard, but it's such a wonderful experience."

How to enter

The event takes place on Sunday, June 6, 2010.

It starts and finishes at Aireville Achool, Skipton.

It is one of 12 long-distance sponsored walks organised by Oxfam around the world each year.

Oxfam's target of 600,000 would build more than 850 libraries, or more than 200 classrooms, in developing countries.

A special section has been set up on the Yorkshire Post website at yorkshirepost.co.uk/trail trekker2010 with more details.

To sign up to Trailtrekker you need: a team of four walkers and a few friends or colleagues who are willing to act as your support crew at walk checkpoints, providing food, water, fresh socks etc.

You must agree to raise a total of 2,000 in sponsorship as a team (i.e. 500 per walker).

Entrance fee is 150 per team if you enter before Sunday, January 31 (or 200 up to March 31).

More details