Rules And Conditions Of Entry

 Note the amendment to rule 13 for 2010 onwards.

1. Entrants must be at least eighteen.

2. The object is to complete the specified fifty mile course, visiting all checkpoints in the correct order within 24 hours, starting at 13:00 hours on the Saturday. No late starting allowed.

3. Each hiker must carry the minimum equipment of:

• Complete OS maps - no photocopies allowed. Either:
      1:50,000 Landranger Series, sheets 126 and 137.
  or
     1:25,000 Explorer Series, sheets 216, 217 and 241.
  Or
  OS Select may be used with the four corners being:
     NW: SJ300070    NE: SJ500070
     SW: SO300870   SE: SO500870
• Compass and whistle.
• Torch with spare batteries and bulbs to last 12 hours (LEDs acceptable).
• Wind and waterproof coat and trousers.
• Warm hat and gloves.
• Spare sweater and socks.
• Mug.
• Sufficient food for the duration of the Hike.
• Nourishing food (to be used only in an emergency).
• Approved survival bag or space blanket, large enough to enclose the whole body.
• Two 230mm (9") squares of white or fluorescent material, or, two pieces of high vision reflective material (50mm x 100mm minimum) as required for Rule 8.
• First Aid Kit containing (minimum): One triangular bandage and one 7.5cm crepe bandage and Elastoplast dressing strip and Gauze dressings and Elastoplast/Micropore tape and scissors.

4. FOOTWEAR. Because of the rough nature of the terrain you are required to wear either hiking boots, specialist/fell-running footwear or multi-terrain footwear - they must have a good non-slip tread. Kit and footwear will be checked before the start and may be checked at any time during the Hike.

5. SHORTS. Shorts may be worn during daylight hours only. Legs must be covered during darkness and when grouped. No denims allowed.

6. Before dark, all hikers will be grouped into groups of at least three. Groups must stay together all night or until a CP Officer authorises them to split up. Bonus time will be given to hikers required to wait at a CP to be grouped from the time at which they state they are ready to leave the checkpoint.

7. Hikers may only retire at a roadside CP. They are required to state that they wish to retire and must surrender their tally. They will be returned to Hike HQ in transport provided by Hike Officials.

8. Hikers must wear and have visible at all times on their front and on their rucksack at the rear, a 230mm (9") square of white or fluorescent material, or, high vision reflective material (50mm x 100mm minimum) .

9. Hikers must follow the Country Code and keep to official public footpaths. NO SHORTCUTS ACROSS FARMLAND ARE ALLOWED.

10. No bonus time is allowed for refreshments during the Hike.

11. In the case of accident or injury, render assistance as necessary, leave someone with the casualty and notify the nearest CP giving the exact map reference of the incident and the extent of the injury. Bonus time will be allowed as necessary at the discretion of the Hike Officials.

12. At 13:00 on the Sunday, the Hike is officially closed and all responsibilities and services offered by the organisers, e.g. refreshments, use of school buildings and facilities, first aid and rescue services, meals, tallies and certificates will cease. When it becomes obvious that it would be impossible for a Hiker to complete the Hike by this time they will be asked to retire at a convenient (roadside) checkpoint, from where transport will be provided to return them to Hike HQ.

13. Cancellations before 20th September are subject to a forfeit of £2 to cover administration costs. No refunds after that date.

14. Teams must be pre-declared (submitted at the time of entry) and consist of three to five members. No substitutions on the day allowed. Team members need not finish together, finish times will be aggregated

15. Hikers must retire if:
  a. They lose their personal tally.
  b. If, in the opinion of any Hike Official, any Hiker is unfit to continue or may endanger the safety of others if allowed to proceed.

16. Hikers will be disqualified at the Committee's discretion for:
  a. Not passing through the CPs in the correct order.
  b. Receiving assistance from any spectator.
  c. Failing to maintain groups, once formed.

17. The Organisers reserve the right to amend any rule where necessary. You will be notified of any change. The Organisers' decisions are final and no responsibility can be accepted for any accident, injury or mishap, however caused during the event.

18. ENTRIES Last entries are accepted two weeks before the event, there are no entries on the day and an overall limit of 550 entries applies.

ALL COMPETITORS ENTER AT THEIR OWN RISK