Above: Start of the 1999 Thetford Chase Walk

For Millennium Walk Certificate, see Presentations in Feature Gallery

Forests are attractive places for many and various human activities, including the venue for many of the field events of Raynet groups in East Anglia.

Rallying, Cycling, Equestrian, Enduros, but especially Walking are all popular pastimes. Away from the noise and the constant danger of motor traffic, it is possible to walk all day without either seeing vehicles or hearing the sound of engines.

Walks on an organised basis vary from a small 10 km to 25 miles, the latter being probably the limit of what most walkers can comfortably achieve in one day.

Golden tints of autumn in North Stow picnic site.

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The most famous of these marathons is undoubtably the annual 26 mile Thetford Chase Walk; this current year will see it's 34^th anniversary. Originally sponsored jointly by the Leisure Depts of Norfolk and Suffolk councils, it attracted up to 1400 entrants - there was a 12 mile version too - and ages ranged from 8 to 80, and included dogs! Now, however, owing to reduced entries and manning difficulties, it has been shortened to 12 miles. Other 40 km walks in recent years have been from West Tofts army camp, in early July, usually called the ATC walk marshalled by Mundford ATC, and that from RAF Watton, the W.A.R.M.A. winter walk in November. Lots of other 10 and 15 mile walks are organised by other parties.

Walkers set out along Peddars Way on a Christian Aid Week sponsored event.

Raynet participation in all of these has been extensive; the many causes of casualties which include sprained ankles, blisters, dehydration, even asthmatic attacks or fits, requires the provision of links for the S^t John Ambulance for Medical incidents at a dozen or more locations, radio equipped liaison vehicles for senior supervisors, and search and sweep vehicles to ensure that no walkers are lost in the trees. It is easy to become disorientated when all the trees and tracks look the same, and isolation after nightfall is an unpleasant prospect.©   Below: Award issued for the 2005 Chase Walk.