The Thames Bridges Trek

Transcription

1 The Thames Bridges Challenge Manual 2016 Your guide to preparing for the challenge!

2 Welcome to the Thames Bridges 2016! This guide should give you a good overview of what to expect on the Challenge, and combined with the Participant Area of the website provide all the information to prepare yourself. Please read it carefully and refer back to it as you get ready for the Thames Bridges, and keep visiting the Participant Area for updates, latest news, and special offers. Challenge timeline Over the course of the next few weeks there are some important dates for your diary - please make a note of the below and watch out for our s over the next few months Social media Join us online and meet fellow challengers before the event. Get updates, training & fundraising advice. Final Event Information released - 12 th August Start times released - 12 th August GPX files released - 12 th August 50% fundraising deadline - 15 th August E-tickets, sent - 31 August The Challenge - 10 September 50% remaining fundraising due - 8 October Participant s area We have further info and downloads available in our participant s area of the website. We will be updating this area of the website in the lead up to the challenge - keep your eyes open for more updates or join in the conversation on our event forum. 2 info@thamespathchallenge.com

3 Thames Bridges The Challenge THE Bridges en Route & rest stops 0 KM - LONDON Bishop s Park, Putney 1.) Putney - The current bridge was opened in 1886 replacing the previous opened in It is downstream from the start of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat race, whose participants include Hugh Laurie and the Dan Snow. 2.) Putney Rail - The District line runs from Wimbledon over this bridge to central London and beyond. Opened in 1889 pedestrians, can also cross here. 3.) Wandsworth - Known as the least notable bridge in London (!), It was opened in 1940 with the blue paint colour used in the Blitz as camouflage. 4.) Battersea - The old bridge (opened in 1771) was painted by Turner, Whistler and Cotman. This was demolished and replaced by the current bridge which is the narrowest road bridge in London. 5.) Albert - Famed for being in the titles to Made in Chelsea, this grade II listed structure is also known as the Trembling lady. 6.) Chelsea - opened in 1937, this is a self-anchored suspension bridge. During construction large quantities of early Roman and Celtic artefacts were found, leading historians to believe it to be Caesar s crossing point. 7.) Vauxhall - Opened in 1906, this is near a bridge-like structure found in the silt which is presumed to be from circa 55BC. It has been in many James Bond movies as it s next to MI6! midpoint Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens southern end of the Palace of Westminster nearest the bridge. 9.) Westminster - A favourite haunt for tourists, the bridge is painted in the colours of the House of Commons. Opened in 1862 it replaced an original bridge from the 1750s. 10.) Golden Jubilee - Opened in 2002 to commemorate 50 years of Queen Elizabeth II s reign, the builders had to be careful to avoid unexploded bombs! 11.) Waterloo - The current bridge was opened in It s predecessor was dismantled and it s stone sent around the world. It s name comes from Wellington s Victory over Napoleon in ) Blackfriars - The present bridge was built in 1869 to coincide with the rebuilding of the embankment by Sir Joseph Bazalgette. If you look closely you can see the river Fleet emptying under the north end of the bridge. 13.) Millennium - Opened for the millennium the bridge still retains the nickname the wobbly bridge due to oscillations which have since been fixed (we hope!) 14.) Southwark - Featured heavily in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels the bridge was opened in ) London - The current box girder bridge opened in This replaced a 19 th Century stone bridge that itself replaced the medieval bridge linked to the famous nursery song. 16.) Tower Bridge - Built in 1886 as a solution to the demand for river crossings east of London, this innovative design is able to open for the tall ships which used to be unloaded in central London. Finish 25 km - Southwark 8.) Lambeth - Opened in 1932, the bridge s paint scheme matches the House of Lords, which is at the 3 info@thamespathchallenge.com

4 Thames BRIDGES Preparing for the challenge On Saturday 10 September 2016 we are expecting over 1,000 challengers to be taking on 25 km of the Thames Bridges through London to our finish location in Southwark. The Thames Bridges is an ideal event for all abilities - from novice trekkers and first time charity fundraisers, to the harder core & keener walkers looking to set a personal best. We expect that you will complete the challenge in 4-6 hrs. The cut off time for the challenge is 7 hours. Fundraising If you have chosen to fundraise, your charity should be in contact within 2-3 weeks of your registration to discuss your fundraising or to send out a fundraising pack to you; however all charities do work in slightly different ways so if you are unsure about what you are meant to be doing fundraising wise, or you feel that they have been a bit slow in contacting you - please contact your charity directly! 50% of your minimum fundraising amount should be submitted to your charity 4 weeks prior to the challenge - 15 th August The charity can then verify that you have been actively fundraising for them and will be happy to confirm your place on the event (as they have to pay Action Challenge) a fee of 45 for services we provide in respect of your place on the event. Failure to reach this 50% target on time could result in the charity removing you from the event. The total balance of your fundraising target and any additional sums is due to be with your charity no later than 4 weeks after the event - 8 th October All fundraising monies should be given directly to your charity and not via Action Challenge. If you have an online fundraising page (JustGiving / Virgin Money Giving) you will NOT need to physically make a transfer, as the online donation site will automatically transfer your funds on a monthly basis to the charity, as you receive them. Training This trek is achievable for all, however we do recommend that you do a couple of training walks in order to prepare for the challenge ahead! Check out our walkers training guides within the participant s area of the website for our full plan on how best to prepare! On the challenge The start The challenge starts in Bishop s Park, Fulham, London, SW6 6EA. At the start there will be a large registration area, teas & coffee, an opportunity to meet some of our charity partners, a warm up zone and of course the start line itself! The London Bridges Challenge will start between 11:00am - 12:00pm with all challengers setting out on the route in waves every 15 minutes, in groups of roughly at a time. You will be expected to register at the start of the challenge, to officially sign in, collect your event pass, route maps and other items to aid you along the course. We recommend that you arrive to register on the morning of your challenge 1 hour before your start time. The Finish The finish location will be confirmed closer to the challenge. You will be met with a medal, t-shirt and a big cheer! You will also receive a finishers meal to help you recover. 4 info@thamespathchallenge.com

5 Thames bridges We recommend that you travel by public transport. The nearest stations to the finish either Bermondsey or Canada Water both on the Jubilee line. A short stop away from London Bridge which is on the Northern line and has connections with the Overground and National Rail. MEDICS At Action Challenge we take safety very seriously. There will be medics available at the MidPoint Stop as well as mobile medics in rapid response vehicles for emergencies, injuries and accidents. Medics vary from first aid qualified staff, nurses, paramedics and doctors. Baggage You must bring a day bag (small rucksack) - no more than litres max which you will be expected to carry with you at all times containing everything you need for the challenge. Timing On your event pass there will be a timing chip, and you will be timed at the beginning and the end of the course. No later than 3 days after the challenge we will publish all finish times, along with the official photos taken from the event, which you may wish to purchase. Support & hospitality What you will get Event pack at registration Teas and Coffees at the start of the challenge Energy drinks at the midpoint. Bring your own packed lunch for this stop A finishers meal at the 25 km finish A medal & a finishers t-shirt Mid-Point Half way through the challenge there is a rest stop where you will find an area for a reasonable period of rest and recovery (typically minutes). There will be toilet facilities, event staff and medics, however you will need to bring your own packed lunch for this stop as there will only be some light snacks here. trek masters Along the course we will have official marshals who will run or walk sections of the course in a supporting role. Their jobs are to motivate, and encourage, as well as advise the control room of any new hazards that should develop along the route. SIGNAGE The total 25 km course is split into 2 stages of approximately 12.5 km each. Overall, the route follows the Thames Eastwards towards the city. The route selection criteria take in to account safety, scenery and accessibility. Please ensure you are familiar with and adhere to both the Countryside and Highway Code. The route will be posted to the participant area as a PDF document, a GPX file, and KML file (for use on Google Earth and Google Maps) 3 weeks prior to the event. Google Map Links will also be posted so that participants can access the entire route, and you will also be handed a hard copy of the route on the morning of the challenge. The route will be clearly signed with PINK ARROWS (which are directional) and PINK RIBBONS (nondirectional - that mean you are on the right route), Due to the route being in a built up area signage may be harder to spot at times, so please familiarise yourselves with the route before the Challenge, and have the Route Map with you and track your progress on it so you are aware of your assumed location. It is your responsibility not to get lost! 5 info@thamespathchallenge.com

6 Thames Bridges What to do next 1. Keep updated Refer back to the Participant s Area of the website on a regular basis to check for important updates or info. 2. Get online Join the Ultra Challenge Facebook page - and converse in our online Ultra Challenge forum for training tips! 3. Online fundraising Set up your online fundraising page via Just Giving or whichever online fundraising site your charity prefers. 4. Team Captain s - Get recruiting! Make sure you get your team mates signed up as soon as possible so you can all get training & fundraising! 5. Training Read our Thames Path Challenge training guide - to aid your preparation for the challenge ahead. Contact the team 6. Join a training walk Join us on one of our night or day training walks - meet fellow challengers and our event management team! 7. Get your boots on! Make sure you have a well worn in pair of boots or shoes before taking on the challenge. Please check the Participant s Area of the website regularly for updates during the lead up to the event. All additional information will be released in the Participant s Area in accordance with the Communication Timeline. If you have any questions - you can contact us on: 8. Check your kit! Take a look to see what other kit you may need to invest in for your training and the challenge info@thamespathchallenge.com 6 info@thamespathallenge.com