So we are fast approaching another Bank Holiday weekend and I am sure most people are looking forward to laying in bed, relaxing and possibly taking in a nice walk if the weather holds. For me this August Bank Holiday weekend will see another challenge being undertaken – the Miles for Wishes Challenge 9 – 80 miles in 24hrs along the Thames Path National Trail (from Tower Bridge to Henley-on-Thames).
Route Details
This challenge is a 110km walk along the famous Thames Path, starting at the iconic Tower Bridge and finishing at Henley bridge. I will be aiming to complete the walk in approximately 24hrs, unsupported (again).
I have broken the route in to 4 stages, to give myself something to aim at and where I can rest for a short period of time. I’ll be aiming to walk at a steady 3 to 3.5mph for the full 24 hours in order to complete this challenge, which I’m sure you’ll agree is a big ask. But I’ve got to try.
Route / Stages
Stage 1: London Bridge – Key Gardens (0 – 15m) – 3pm Start on Sunday 27 August
– This will be the first leg of the challenge, walking approximately 15 miles from Tower Bridge to Kew Gardens. This will take you past HMS Belfast, Tate Modern, the London Eye, Battersea Park, the London Wetland Centre before arriving at Kew Gardens.
– This stage should take between 5 and 6 hours to complete and provide a great way to wind down after a hard week at work, spending what we hope to be a lovely late summer evening walking alongside some of London’s most iconic landmarks.
Stage 2: Kew – Staines (15 – 38m) – approx 9pm
– The second and longest leg, at 23m, of the challenge will wind through Richmond and alongside Hampton Court Palace, crossing over to Hurst Park and then following the Thames up in to Staines.
– This stage should take between and 8 and 9 hours to complete.
Stage 3: Staines to Cookham (38 – 55m) – approx 5am
– The third leg will meander a further 17 miles along the Thames past Runnymead, Old Windsor and Home Park, taking us behind Windsor Castle and on to Dorney Lake, the site of Olympic rowing, through Maidenhead and arriving in the village of Cookham.
– This stage should take between 5 and 6 hours to complete.
Stage 4: Cookham to Henley-on-Thames (55 – 70m) – approx 10am and to 3pm
– Leg 4 is a final 15 mile push on to Henley, winding through amazing countryside and on to Bisham Abbey, Hurley Lock, Temple Island and in to Henley, the site of the annual regatta.
– This stage should take between 5 and 6 hours to complete.
Kit List
– Day bag – I am using a Jack Wolfskin Moab Jam 3ltr pack, which has an internal 2lt bladder, which will be complimented by a further 2x 800ml bottles with a High 5 Zero tablet
– Shoes with padded insoles
– Rain jacket
– Thermal top layer
– Base layer
– Gloves
– Hiking Socks (plus x1 spare)
– Sun hat
– Buff
– Head torch and spare batteries
– Wet wipes / toilet roll and bags
– Hand sanitizer
– Personal first aid kit inc. compeed
– Power bank (Phone charge and Garmin charger)
– Food and water (standard walking snacks inlcuding jerky, nuts and raisins, energy bars etc. as well as two camping meals, these are easily packed, light and can be eaten cold)
This challenge is really about keeping one foot in front of the other and keeping going…
Guy Stapleford Ultra 