36th Across Wales Walk 4 September 1999 Phew What a Scorcher!!

In summary: The hottest AWW ever! 24 deg C with little or no wind. 101 starters, 84 finishers. 8 retirements at CP3 after 25 miles. 8 retirements at CP4 after 32 miles 1 retirement at CP5 after 37 miles. 2 successful double crossings, one 'doubler' retired after 70 miles. Fastest time 10 hours 27 minutes.

This page provides reports and timing information for the 36th Across Wales Walk.

1. Entrants and completion times
2. The 36th Across Wales Walk: an Organiser's view by Stuart Lamb

If you took part in the 36th Across Wales Walk, please sign the Guest Book with your experiences and comments

36th ACROSS WALES WALK: entrants and completion times

To download a table of entrants and times (Excel 97 format, approx. 75Kb) click here.

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36th Across Wales Walk, 4 September 1999
....from an organiser's perspective.

After the usual night in Clun Memorial Hall, followed by a snatched breakfast of tea and toast, the 101 entrants for the 36th Across Wales walk found themselves at the Welsh border at 5:00 am starting off on the annual 45 mile trek across the principality. All were buoyed by the prospects of dry and fine weather, this having been forecast for the day of the event as much as one week ahead.

All progressed well as far as checkpoint 2 at 14 miles where checkpoint staff coped admirably with unusually large 'rushes' of entrants with their usual demands for refreshment. However, soon after CP2 'Jekyll' turned progressively into 'Hyde': the skies cleared of mist yielding bright sun and temperatures of 24 deg C in the shade.

The hottest conditions experienced in the history of the event soon began to take their toll of the entrants. Eight retirements occurred at checkpoint 3, including the hitherto unstoppable 'double-crosser', Clive Lungmuss, who retired on the slopes of Plynlimon after more than 70 miles. Apparently, the heat from the rocks of Plynlimon had been just as debilitating on his outward leg on the previous day! By checkpoint 4 the descent of Plynlimon had claimed a further eight casualties. Finally, at checkpoint 5, one further entrant, Neville Tandy, retired just seven miles short of what would have been his thirty-second completion of the event! In short, the 36th Across Wales Walk was a real 'killer'.

Nevertheless 84 entrants stayed the course. Particularly noteworthy performances were achieved by Martin McGreary, John Newman and David Hickling who recorded joint fastest times of 10 hours 27 minutes, and by Philip Gwilliam and Richard Rosser who successfully completed 90 mile 'double-crossings'. Finishers, retirees and checkpoint staff, enjoyed the usual evening stay at the University of Aberystwyth followed by a presentation ceremony and return coach to Clun on the Sunday morning.

Thanks to West Birmingham Hostelling Group and North Dyfed/Powys RAYNET Groups for their exemplary support on the day. Thanks also to the entrants whose good humour and friendship continue to make this such a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding weekend.

The 37th Across Wales Walk will take place on 2 September 2000. Why not come along and try this linear event with a difference? Loads more information, results and reports are available on this website.

Stuart Lamb

Organiser, 36th Across Wales Walk

A few pictures which hopefully give an impression of the conditons this year..........

Bob Bills (standing, just) and Nev Tandy at CP4.	Chas Stephenson at CP5
Matt Clarke at CP5	Paul Whittaker at CP5

Thanks to everyone who made this event a success this year, despite the heat!

Meanwhile, if anyone has photos or reports on the event, please e-mail them to me for inclusion on the site.

Best regards,

Stuart Lamb

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