Capital Challenge, Saturday 4th April 2020


The 4th Capital Challenge, Saturday 4th April 2020

A 26-MILE CHALLENGE WALK THROUGH LONDON – NEW ROUTE FOR 2020

ORGANISED BY LONG DISTANCE WALKERS ASSOCIATION LONDON GROUP

Celebrating the best of London's green spaces, this urban walk uses almost completely mud-free paths through public parks, fine town squares, waterways and green spaces. Simple refreshments are offered at the start, finish, and three checkpoints along the way.  The route passes a wide variety of shops and cafes along much of its length and the route description points out items of historical and cultural interest along the way.  Start & finish are close to public transport. There is a limit of 200 entrants.  This event is for walkers only.

 

COVID-19 update (16 March 2020): This event has been cancelled due to the decision of the National Executive Committee that all challenge events, social walks and other formal LDWA business organised by any of the local groups will be cancelled immediately due to Her Majesty’s Government advice in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

ROUTE 

We are introducing a new route for 2020, with a third route in the works for 2021 and a return to the original route in 2022.

Crossing the Thames from the South Bank, the 2020 route passes through six Royal Parks, starting with Victoria Tower Gardens and ending with Brompton Cemetery, and passing through Holland Park and several historic neighbourhoods along the way.  It then re-crosses the Thames to wend through the parks, wooded areas, and historically or architecturally interesting districts of Battersea, Clapham, Dulwich, and Sydenham, ending with a tour of Crystal Palace Park and a hot drink and cake to finish the day.  As with the original route, this new route strikes a balance between well-known areas of the city and hidden treasures that are seldom visited, with a few surprises thrown in. 

 

START, CHECKPOINTS, AND FINISH

Start between 0800 and 0900 from the crypt of St John's Church, Waterloo (73 Waterloo Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 8TY, TQ311800).  Hot drinks will be provided.  All entrants will receive a scannable identity card to present at each checkpoint and finish to track progress.  The start is close to Waterloo Station (mainline and tubes) and a short walk from Embankment Station (District, Circle, Bakerloo and Northern tube lines). 

Checkpoints at Brompton Cemetery, Clapham Common, and Dulwich Wood.  Checkpoints will provide simple refreshments, all suitable for vegetarians, but NO BOTTLED WATER, to reduce the amount of plastic waste this walk generates; instead, the route description will point out water fountains along the way and we will, where possible, provide pitchers of good old hard London tap water at checkpoints.

Finish by 1900 at St Hugh’s Community Centre (42 Castledine Rd, London SE20 8PL, TQ346701). Hot drinks and cake will be provided. From the finish there is easy access to train stations at Crystal Palace, Penge West, and Anerley (overground lines with connections to tube stations). 

Enter via SiEntries: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=6020

Entries Open: Friday 1 November 2019

Entries Close: Saturday 22 March 2020 at 22:00

This event is now full. Therefore, all new entries will be placed on a ballot list. To get a ballot list entry just enter as normal via SiEntries. No payment is required as there is no guarantee of being offered a place. If the event organiser is able to offer you a place they will make contact by e-mail. Please note that the ballot list currently has more than 50 people on it, so new entrants, in reality, are unlikely to be offered a place.

ENTRY FEES

Members of the LDWA: £15

Non-members: £25

Entry in advance only: there will be no entry on the day.
Note to those who are not members of the LDWA: annual membership of the LDWA costs £18 for individuals (£15 with direct debit); to join, visit www.ldwa.org.uk

RESULTS          

We will use electronic registration and tracking so that results can be published on the LDWA London website with split times immediately after the event.  If you prefer your name to be withheld, please tell us.  All in-time finishers will receive a certificate.

YOUNG PEOPLE

Participants aged between 11 and 18 years (inclusive) will be required to complete and bring with them to the event a completed copy of a parental/guardian consent form; participants under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult. Please contact the event organiser to request a copy of the consent form.

ENQUIRIES AND REFUNDS

All enquiries regarding the event to Jean O’Reilly, capitalchallenge@ldwa.org.uk; 07766 622702
A refund will be paid on cancellations received before Sunday 15 March 2020; £5.00 admin will be charged.  After this date no refund will be paid.  For the London group's refund policy see here.

 

A proportion of participants’ fees will be donated to local charities.