EASTER WALK 31 st MARCH 2018 FINAL EVENT INFORMATION www.theeasterwalk.com
The Easter Walk The 2018 Easter Walk is nearly here and we hope that you are looking forward to getting a spring in your step this March along with 1,500 other challengers! Heading out from Windsor along the River Thames on Easter Saturday, the route passes through beautiful scenery, including Windsor Great Park. You'll get full support & hospitality with rest stops, free food & drink, and a celebration finish line with medals and a glass of fizz. It s not too late to get your family and friends registered, so sign them up and make it a fun group day out. We will also be on the lookout for the best Easter dress on the day, so put on those bunny ears for a chance to win a free place on one of our Ultra Challenges! To help you make those final plans, and to get a better idea of what to expect, we have put together this information guide. Key pre-event information... Start times For anyone registered before the 1 st March, you should have received your allocated start time via EMAIL (sent on the 1 st March), and it will only be changed in exceptional circumstances. If you are in a TEAM all members should have the same start time as the Team Captain. If you have NOT received your start time email by Wednesday 7 th March (do check your junk inbox), OR you would like to request a start time amendment, OR there seems to be a problem with some of your Team s start times - then please complete the ONLINE FORM below - by 14 th March at the latest. CLICK HERE for online Start Time amendment / re-send form >> 2 www.theeasterwalk.com
E-Tickets & Bib Number Your final confirmed start time & bib number will be EMAILED to you as your E-Ticket on Friday 23 rd March. For Registration on to the Challenge you MUST bring your E- Ticket with you - so print it off, or store it on your mobile. If you have NOT received this E-Ticket by close of play on Wednesday 28 th March please check your junk mail. You can also find your bib number and start time by checking our starting list which will be available on the App and the Participant s Area from 23 rd March and you will be able to request a new one to be sent out to you. Download the Easter Walk App... If you haven t already, make sure you download the Easter Walk App for access to Walk specific documents, maps, exclusive offers, and much more. We will be updating the App in the lead up to the Walk - download using the below instructions: Available in both the Apple store and Google Play store search for Action Challenge and download our free App. Then use the code AC1to load the Action Challenge App. Once downloaded, go to add challenge in the menu and enter the pass code Easterwalk to load the Challenge App. Registration and the Start... Address: Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Rd, Berkshire, Windsor SL4 5JJ The start is at Windsor Racecourse follow the signs nearby and look out for our sail flags. Travelling by train: The closest train station is Windsor & Eton Central which is just over 1 mile from the start (5 minute taxi journey), or Windsor & Eton Riverside which is 1 ½ miles from the start. From 6:15am on Saturday 31 st March, trains depart every 30 minutes from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central station (via Slough) journey time 41 minutes so a great option to get you to the start on Saturday morning. Alternatively, there are direct services on Saturday morning from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside - journey time 53 minutes so it is a slightly longer journey time but it is a direct train. CLICK HERE to view the National Rail website for train times >> 3 www.theeasterwalk.com
Travelling by car: The racecourse has ample FREE parking available and is a great option if you need to park for the entire day or just being dropped off. Registration Registration will be open from 07:30 am on Saturday 31 st March at the start venue at Windsor Racecourse. You MUST aim to arrive on site at least 45 minutes before your start time to register onto the Challenge. You MUST present your E-TICKET at the Registration marquee entrance Collect your EVENT PACK (Event Pass/timing chip, lanyard, bib number & safety pins) You will need to complete medical details on your event bib should you have any serious conditions Collect your route card and neck buff! The Start At the start of the Challenge there will be a range of facilities including complimentary tea & coffee, medics, toilets. There will be a breakfast vendor on site where you can purchase breakfast baps in the morning and also a specialist coffee vendor. Action Challenge representatives, and entertainment in the form of our warm up act & compere. You will have a chance to refill your water bottle before heading to the starting pen. You will be called to the starting pen 15 minutes prior to your start time you must join the correct slot - and there will then be a warm up and final safety briefing from our Team. You will then be sent on your way in groups of about 250 participants every 30 minutes. 4 www.theeasterwalk.com
Route & timings... Rules No Running! This challenge is a walk and NOT a jog or a run and if you try to attempt the route as such you will not be operating outside of the event s structure and will not have use of the route signage, rest stop or finish facilities and will not be eligible for a medal. We anticipate the 25km fastest time to be 3.5 hours and the 25 miles fastest time to be 5.5 hours. Maps You will be supplied with a route card/map at registration and you MUST carry this with you at all times as it will contain emergency numbers for our Event Management Team. The route will be fully signed and you must always follow our route signage - not the plotted route, in case of any amendments on the day. Online Google Route Map We have plotted the Route and Rest Stops in Google Maps although please note there may be updates/ amends to the route prior to the event and the final route will be confirmed on the 23 rd March. Use the links below and save to your phone s web browser - so in an emergency, or you are lost you can use your phone s GPS signal to locate yourself on the route. 25km Route Starting at the Racecourse base camp - the 25km loop heads along the Thames Path passing Alexandra & Home Park, near historic Runnymede, before heading to Windsor Great Park with magnificent views of the Castle. Then back to the base camp for the finish line celebrations. CLICK HERE to view the 25 KM route in Google Maps >> 5 www.theeasterwalk.com
25 Mile Route The 25 Mile option initially takes in the same route as the 25 km'er, with lunch back at the Racecourse - followed by a 10 mile section heading west along the Thames Path, passing through the villages of Dorney & Eton Wick, and then following the Jubilee River back to our base camp. CLICK HERE to view the 25 Mile route in Google Maps >> Rest Stops & Refreshments Rest Stops Rest stops are sites with covered areas, snack area & toilets. Our Event Management Team man them. The site Info Point will provide you with all the support you need if you are retiring from the Challenge. Food & Snacks All dietary requirements will be catered for. If you don t immediately see anything appropriate for you, speak with the catering team and they will be able to sort you a meal. If there are certain snacks that just work for you we recommend bringing some supplies with you. There s also free squash and water at all stops. For 25km Challengers: Half-Way - Runnymede Pleasure Ground, Egham, Surrey TW20 0AE There will be toilets, a covered space, area for seating & medics We will be serving light snacks (fruit, sweets, crisps etc.) Selection of refreshments available - teas, coffee, water & squash Pay & Display parking Finish Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Rd, Berkshire, Windsor SL4 5JJ At the finish, you will be rewarded with a huge cheer, medal & a glass of fizz. Selection of fresh baguettes (inc crisps & a drink), pizza, hot & cold drinks Free shuttles to Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside Parking available for supporters 6 www.theeasterwalk.com
For 25 Mile Challengers: AM Rest Stop - Runnymede Pleasure Ground, Egham, Surrey TW20 0AE There will be toilets, a covered space, area for seating & medics We will be serving light snacks (fruit, sweets, crisps etc.) A selection of refreshments available - water & squash Pay & Display parking Lunch Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Rd, Berkshire, Windsor SL4 5JJ There will be toilets, a covered space, area for seating & medics Lunch is included a selection of fresh baguettes (inc crisps & a drink) & pizza A selection of refreshments available - teas, coffee, water & squash Parking available for supporters PM Rest Stop Trumpers Field, Dorney There will be toilets, a covered space, area for seating & medics We will be serving light snacks (fruit, sweets, crisps etc.) A selection of refreshments available - water & squash Please ask supporters to refrain from visiting this site Finish Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Rd, Berkshire, Windsor SL4 5JJ At the finish you will be rewarded with a huge cheer, medal & a glass of fizz Selection of lasagne & salads, along with hot drinks, water & squash Free shuttles to Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside Parking available for supporters Supporter Meals Supporters can buy a baguette lunch (includes crisps & a drink) at Windsor Racecourse on the day go to Info Point to purchase a meal ticket (payable in cash - 5.50-6.50). Baggage You will be expected to carry your own bag during the walk, and we recommend a small rucksack of between 10-25L. Your bag will have everything that you might need - water, suitable layers, waterproofs, and any of your own snacks. Remember to check the weather and pack sensibly for it! There s also a Baggage Drop Service at Windsor, where you can leave any larger bags that you would not be able to walk with. We are not charging for this service but we would ask that if you can make a small charitable donation. 7 www.theeasterwalk.com
Event timing & tracking You will be issued with a timing chip & lanyard to be worn around your neck during the walk, and there will be staff with scanners at all of the Rest Stops. You will need to pass through these check points in order for your tracking profile to be updated. Friends and family can use this to monitor your progress during the event (via the website and this will be available on our website on Wednesday 28 th March (3 days before the Walk). Your finish time will be immediately available following your completion of the Walk and we ll email you on 3 rd April with details about how to download your certificate. Share your location online! You can opt in to linking your Facebook profile with our timing system and it will send an automatic alert to your Facebook page and update friends with your progress! This will be going live - on the 28 th March don t forget to visit our website and / or the app too. Safety, event rules, and retiring from the Walk... The Control Room The Control Room is your contact point whilst on the Walk - and will handle all emergency and non-emergency calls. The contact numbers will be printed on the Route Map / Card. Event rules Please read through our Event Rules below you need to be aware of the route, other participants and pedestrians, traffic and junctions at all times. It is your responsibility to stay safe out along the route. This challenge is a WALK no running or jogging! Your event Bib and Event Pass must be worn at all times - and you must have a Route Map with you. Participants must carry a mobile phone with them. The Event Organiser reserves the right to operate a 9 hour cut off time for all participants. You are responsible for ensuring you are wearing appropriate footwear based upon the likely weather and route underfoot. If it is raining part of the route may be slippery watch your footing. Be aware of any junctions, traffic lights, cyclists and other pedestrians at all times. You must cross roads in the correct place (at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings etc). Signage at times may be harder to spot than others if in any doubt refer to the map. 8 www.theeasterwalk.com
Route signage The route will be clearly signed with PINK ARROWS (which are directional). It is your responsibility not to get lost and having access to a Google type map is also recommended if you have the right sort of phone. The route will be marked with Kilometre and Mile Markers - so as you track along, try and remember which one you past last - in case you need to describe your position to the Control Room. HAZARDS on the route will be indicated by a PINK SQUARE with a BLACK CIRCLE inside. Exiting / retiring from the Challenge If you need to exit/drop out of the challenge, please inform Event Staff either in person or by Text SMS to the number provided on the Route Card. Nearby stations will be marked on the Route Map given to you at the start. If for whatever reason you are in need of medical attention we will have medical teams at the start, mid-point and finish venue if you require medical attention along the route then you need to make your way to the nearest facility/ hospital as advised by our Control Room teams. If dropping out at a Rest Stop Go to the Information Point and hand in your Event Pass. They will provide details of the nearest train stations or taxi services if needed. The Finish line & departing the Challenge At the finish you ll get a medal, fizz, and a big warm welcome and celebration! Once you re ready there s a selection of food available for you to refuel and space for a sit down. There will be regular shuttle services from the finish at Windsor Racecourse to Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside train stations. This free service will be running from approximately 1pm onwards. If you would like to use this shuttle service, please complete this short form: CLICK HERE for the shuttle service form >> 9 www.theeasterwalk.com
From Windsor & Eton Riverside, trains depart for London Waterloo every 30 minutes. From Windsor & Eton Central, trains depart approximately every 20 minutes until late evening to Slough train station from where you can make your onward journey. CLICK HERE to the National Rail website for train times >> What to do next... Remember your kit & check the weather Check the weather 2 days before the Walk to ensure you have everything covered come rain or shine (hopefully). Warm clothes, layers, waterproof jackets, and phone. Good footwear is essential to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the challenge and waterproof (if it s been raining in the lead up, it is likely to be wet underfoot). Get Social! Join us online on the Easter Walk Facebook page to keep up to date on all the latest news and meet fellow challengers - #TheEasterWalk as you are out training so we can keep in touch with your progress on the day! Check out our other 2018 Challenges If you haven t done so already take a look at our other 2018 challenges we ve got a whole programme of 25, 50 & 100km walks across the UK for 2018. There s also 2 for 1 on all Partner Charity registration fees on the Wye Valley Challenge and South Coast Challenge! Head over to www.ultrachallenge.com for more details. Chiltern 50km Just Launched! Take on 50km in the heart of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - including sections of the Ridgeway, Icknield Way Trail, and Chiltern Way. Walk, Jog, or Run it with 1,500 others - then soak up the finish line festival style celebrations & evening hospitality! Visit www.chiltern50.com for more details. 10 www.theeasterwalk.com
What can you expect next from us 1. Pre-Event Briefing - Video Our Pre-Event Video Briefing will give you a quick rundown on what you can expect on the day, the route, hints & tips, and more! This will be live on the Participant s Area on 5 th March. 2. E-Tickets Will be sent to you on the 23 rd March keep an eye out for them in your inbox! 3. The Live Event Website & App On the 28 th March the Easter Walk website & App will go live with our timing & tracking website, social media feed, competitions & much more so don t forget to check it out! We wish you the best of luck for your Walk and we look forward to meeting you at the start! The Easter Walk Team Action Challenge London 11 www.theeasterwalk.com