BAFC 2010 Marathon Trek
4th July 2010
Congratulations
to all the walkers who took part in this year’s event…..
Anna Brassell, Alison Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Samuel Brown, Anne
Burek, James Burrage, Paul
Campbell, Dennis Cowey, John Cowey,
Joseph Cowey, Oliver Cowey,
Carol Davies, Neil Davies (1), Neil Davies (2), Steve Dolan, Terry Ferdinand,
Bethany Guy, Gavin Hadden, Paul Hartley, David
Illingworth, Peter Jeffries, Adrian Jones, Andy McCallum, Paul Manuel, Andy
Mitchell, Colin Myers, Simon Ord, Anthony Philipson, Warren Scaife, Dianne
Small, David Strong, Gary Waldron, Brian Watson, Malcolm Watson
Support
Cars – Pamela Cowey & Rik
Burek
34
Walkers (19 doing full distance), 696 Miles Completed
Total Sponsorship so far ………£1,974.75 (21 Walkers still to confirm)
Bishop Auckland FC Supporters’ Stadium Fund £671.05
Royal Signals Association – Spennymoor £235.00
North West Durham Boxing Academy £200.00
19th Durham Scouts £200.00
Staindrop School Science Department £167.05
Crook Cricket Club Junior Section £133.00
Bishop Auckland FC Supporters Club £100.00
Bishop Auckland FC £97.35
Rainbow Centre for Children £33.55
Help the Heroes £61.50
Crook Cricket Club £35.00
Bubble Foundation UK £21.25
Ghurka School £20.00
Diabetes UK
Bishop FM
Shildon Supporters’ Club
The Story of the Walk
FIRST HALF (Approx. 10 miles)
8.45
am From Tow Law Town FC to Wolsingham
10.15
am Wolsingham to Hamsterley Forest
Visitors Centre
An early morning start, with 19 walkers meeting at Tindale
Crossing, and heading by minibus and car to Tow Law to meet a further ten
walkers. Everyone was in high spirits, but with an air
of trepidation, as the day was about to unfold.
Fortunately, contrary to weather forecasts earlier in the week, the
weather was dry. Highlight of the
morning so far was Peter’s brilliant white trainers – would they survive the day ?
After
a delayed start as we waited for a few no-shows, the obligatory photo outside
Ironworks Road. The walk began at 8.50am
as we headed downhill and after half a mile out into open countryside. Meanwhile Pamela headed to see Sandy at Tow
Law Co-op to put in the order for 35 bacon & sausage sandwiches.
A fairly leisurely start as we emerged from the trees to drop
down into the hamlet of Thornley and followed the
road. An early stretching of the field was brought
back together when route finder David missed an important stile and lead most
off in the wrong direction, but after some shouted instructions from the back
everyone was soon back on track.
Simon, one of three
players to take part this year, heads into Thornley
Up
and over the fields in a more hesitant fashion as nobody wanted to add miles
onto what would already be a challenging enough day. Two miles in and the first
casualty as Andy decided that this was not for him so arrangements were made
for transport back to Bishop from Wolsingham.
Andy
and Brian regretted staying at the back when they came under attack from a
couple of pigs, with Andy’s trousers taking a biting. Presumably retribution for
the sandwich order.
What’s David doing at the back ?! Heading for
Wolsingham
The
wind was gusty but no real problem as we dropped down into the village of
Wolsingham for the first scheduled stop outside the Spar. Butties, tea and coffee
with four relatively easy miles under out belts.
The
next stretch out of Wolsingham was always going to be the biggest challenge of
the day and a real wake-up call to anyone who thought that this was going to be
easy. Turning right at Wolsingham
Station the road shot up a tough mile up-hill, walking on the road with lungs
and legs stretching to get to the top.
We
were now high above Wolsingham and after a brief levelling the road dropped us
down then back up past St.John’s Hall. A final meeting with the support car before
everyone headed onto the bleak moors.
Whilst
the field was strung out the visibility was good, and efforts were made to
ensure everyone took to the right paths.
The hare party of Steve, Dave and Gavin were visible up ahead, and from
my position in the middle of the field I could see everyone snaking out behind
and ahead as we battled into the teeth of the gale across Pikestone Fell.
Hamsterley
Forest was soon into view and the severely rutted path descended fast into the
woods. Passed the time
with discussions about the forthcoming season with Peter.
Further
back Paul took a couple of tumbles but support was there to dust him down and
push on. The walkers were counted into
the visitors centre car park, with everyone having a rest on the grass and some
lunch. There was quite a long wait for
the final six but Joseph finally arrived alone after getting lost from the
pack, followed quickly by the final group of five.
SECOND HALF (Approx. 11 miles)
1.15
pm Hamsterley Forest Visitors Centre to
Woodland
3.00
pm Woodland to Butterknowle
4.00
pm Butterknowle to Cockfield FC
4.45
pm Cockfield FC to Evenwood Town FC
6.00
pm Arrive at Evenwood Town FC
A
leisurely lunch as we welcomed two new walkers joining the Bishop FM crew. There were drops of rain as everyone made
their final preparations to depart.
Steve and Gavin headed off early.
Everyone else followed about ten minutes later as we headed into the
forest following one of the woodland trails.
The
rain was now coming down steadily, but the trees provided cover as we again
climbed up to the higher ground. Past
the mountain bike centre and a bit of entertainment from the leaping downhill
riders as we headed up another tough climb and out onto the road to Woodland.
The
stretch along the road to Woodland was deceptively long and the wind and
blowing rain discouraged any further long stops as the field spread out. At the back Bethany was starting to struggle,
but kept going at a decent pace. This was probably the last point where
everyone could be seen together, as the teams of walkers fragmented depending
on fitness. Simon took to the car after
a commendable 14 miles.
Woodland
is so high – even compared to Tow Law - but no great views as the rain continued
and looked set for a while, however the wind was blowing weather in and out
fast. Back off the beaten track and
through the fields to Butterknowle. Some
indecision in the paths at one point as a key marker appeared to have been
removed from a gate, but everyone made it through.
As
we waited to confirm directions, a superb race between one of the greyhounds
being walked by one of the trekkers and a rabbit, but the rabbit made it to
safety. News reached soon after that
Steve and Gavin had become lost in Hamsterley Forest - after a bird had eaten
their trail of breadcrumbs - and were back at the Visitors Centre after a
ramble through the woods. Rik headed back to pick them up so that they could rejoin the rest of the team.
Down
into Butterknowle I joined a group including Andy, Bethany - now shoe-free -
and the Bishop FM team. At Butterknowle
a much needed rest as we sprawled on the pavement outside the pub. The rain had gone and the sun was peeking
out. The wind was as strong as ever.
The
rise up to Cockfield Fell was the last real climb. Alison, Sam and Elizabeth had a break as we
plodded through the industrial landscape and on to the houses to the back of
the village.
Cockfield Fell in socks.
Bethany heads for the hill.
A
few veered off the main road to have a look at the football ground, but most
ploughed on to Evenwood. Bethany took to
the car after over close to 19 miles.
Legs were really tiring as we dropped to Low Lands and along the old
railway line. The nettles were high
along here, but a few stings were brushed off as just part of the territory.
Down
into the Cragwood caravan park, and some discussion
with the charity-averse locals who took exception to a few walkers using the
road rather than badly signed and severely overgrown “official” footpath.
More
familiar ground for everyone now, as some improvised routes were being used to
ease the pressure of the final five miles.
Up
into Evenwood with the gusting wind disguising what was now a hot sun. Paid our respects at the
decaying ground of the now defunct Evenwood Town, cruelly executed in 2005 by a
management team that lasted just months after the evil act.
EXTRA TIME (Approx. 5 miles)
6.00 pm Evenwood Town FC
to West Auckland Town FC
7.15 pm West Auckland Town
FC to Tindale Crescent
More
walkers joined at the ground with Malcolm and Dennis picking up the trail, to
be rejoined by one or two others from the cars for
the last legs on our last legs.
Some
enjoyable scenery as we headed into Spring Gardens was of little consolation as
the aches grew and heads were down as we ploughed on for West. The sun continued but the wind had eased as
we lost altitude.
From the railway path along to the back of the Manor House and
into West Auckland. Crow flies route planning
as every available corner was cut to get home.
A nod to Darlington Road ground as we headed to the path alongside the
by-pass.
Many
had finished already as from the back we spotted a group of walkers ahead
including Colin and Dianne. The pace was now slow as we edged towards Tindale
Crescent, but there was some consolation that we weren’t the only ones still on
the road.
Sun dips over the skeleton
of Tindale Crescent
Along past the expanding structures of the new ground and to
Tindale Crossing.
Up and over the back fence and into the
car park, then the bar for a much needed rest.
Five
years, 130 Miles, 154 Walkers, 25 different Football Grounds and over £15,000
raised, but this time “never again” really meant “never again”. The Marathon Football Trek has been
officially retired. Thanks to all who
have supported the event over its five year life. It’s been tough, fun, painful, but the time
is right to move on, and that is what we shall do.
The
first walk took place as construction of the new stadium was imminent. Setbacks have come on an almost daily
basis. However, by this time next year
we will have a new home, partly paid for by the proceeds of these events.
Next
year, we’ll walk again, but on a more leisurely basis, and we will have
somewhere to finish. We have earned the right !
