Dales weekend of pride and accomplishment

A total of 173 teams of brave walkers took to the terrain of the Yorkshire Dales for a 100 kilometre (62.5 mile) trek through the day and night before arriving back at Skipton.

The arduous walk saw all participants experience camaraderie, exhaustion, accomplishment and pride over the course of the weekend.

The weather seemed to conspire to match these emotions, walkers having to deal with bright sunshine and hot temperatures at the start, followed by shifts into drizzly rain, low lying cloud and high winds.

However nothing the elements threw at the walkers mattered as they crossed the finish line to loud cheers and the warm embraces of proud family and friends.

The event was truly a national spectacle, participants having come from all over the country.

Some were complete novices to distance walking while others were veterans of marathon running or hill climbing.

All agreed that there was nothing that could prepare them for the sheer physical demands of Trailtrekker.

Among those crossing the line in just under the 24-hour mark were team Men in Tights, comprised of James Ash, James Bennett, Luke Cunningham and Alistair Sergeant. The team are all originally from York but are now spread around the country and decided to come together in the Dales for the event.

Members of the group took part in the Three Peaks last year and decided to take part in this year’s Trailtrekker after a friend who participated last year recommended it to them.

“We realised we would be able to do it with about six hours to go,” said Mr Ash.

“The hardest parts were the last two sections. Once you go through that last checkpoint and realise that you won’t have any more help from the support crew.

“We really enjoyed the night walking – it’s so peaceful.”

Meanwhile for Suzanne Dowker and her team, taking part in Trailtrekker was more of a case of putting into practice what they preach.

She and her fellow team-mates in Jaffa Cakes and Jelly Beans are all employees of Oxfam and decided to take part again this year, having completed the event last year.

However, Ms Dowker had just one word to sum up her experience after crossing the line: “Brutal.”

Another walker who made himself memorable on the trek was Tadhg Lyne who walked the entire distance in a fetching lime green tutu over his traditional walking gear.

Mr Lyne, of the team A Rose Between Three Thorns, who work together in Leeds for an Irish food firm, said the night section was the toughest but apart from sore feet he felt fine.

Also feeling strong at the finish point at Aireville School, Skipton, were the Trekker Bashers team, who had previously competed in Trailwalker, Trailtrekker’s sister event in the South Downs.

Having decided to give its northern counterpart a go this year, the team were left in no doubt about which of the events was the tougher customer.

Alex Gilbert, team member, said: “This is much harder. It has a much more extreme terrain and the conditions under foot are much harder. The course has much more in the way of hills – it’s just more difficult to deal with.”

The Four Amigos from Barnsley – Gary Youel, Rob Johnson, Mark Young and Ian Crossley, friends who play football together – had entered last year but were unable to make it round in tact as a team. This meant they had something to prove this year and with each others’ help were able to complete the walk.

Work under way on 2012 event

It MAY be 12 months away but work is already under way for Trailtrekker 2012.

It is too early to sign up for next year’s event but anyone who has been inspired or influenced by this year’s Trailtrekker challenge and wants to give it a go in 2012 can register their interest on the Oxfam website.

By entering details online, people will receive a free DVD and brochure, text reminder or even a company presentation to help get a team together.

The website can also provide ideas on fundraising, training and motivation.

The site also offers people a chance to learn more about where and upon what the money raised by Trailtrekker is spent, as well as discover more about Oxfam’s work.