This year the annual SGSC 10 Mile Hike was held on Saturday, 6th July 2019 in the beautiful Guildford Surrey Hills Area. As the event date slow drew closer, more and more people registered for the event. In fact, we had 62 people in total, from the very young to the old that participated in this year’s 13.9 kilometres hike.
It was with some trepidation that we organised the event due to the mercury high weather we have been experiencing in the country. In light of this, our main focus was on the safety of our participants to ensure that no one encountered dehydrated and so we made sure that plenty of water was made available in each of the checkpoints. We also had a safety vehicle with a first aid trainer following the group to act promptly should there be any incidents requiring medical aid.
As expected, it turned out to be a clear sunny day and the heat could soon be felt as the temperature began to rise. The participants were all advised to wear suitable clothing before the event and so they did knowing that it was going to be a hot day. Once all the administrative requirements were in hand at the start and in each check points, we were eager to commence the hike.
All participants gathered at the start point where they were again reminded of the hot weather and to drink plenty of fluid. Once the health and safety brief was done, the hike commenced exactly at 10:45am. There was much cheering and clapping and exchange of good luck and wishes, as everyone began to leave the start point.
Check Point 1 Pewley Hill (Down)
As participants arrived they were advised to sit under the shade and drink plenty of water. Many enjoyed the panoramic view of Guildford from a vantage point. A group photograph was also taken once everyone arrived and had a rest.
Check Point 2 – Newlands Corner
The participants had a 20 minutes break at this check point to make use of the toilets and also to have refreshments provided. Before starting off to Check Point 3, a five minute stretching exercises was conducted by the Chair of SGSC.
Check Point 3 – St Martha’s Hill
Participants had a fifteen minutes break to enjoy the bewitching view before moving off to Check Point 4.
Check Point 4 – St Martha’s Car Pak, Halfpenny Lane
This is the check point that every participants love as sumptuous hot alfresco curry lunch awaits them. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the delicious curry prepared by the Great Gurkha Kitchen in Weybridge. After lunch and some good rest, children had some fun activities which they really enjoyed including tug-of-war. Adults too had a tug-of-war competition which they very much enjoyed.
Finish Point – Shalford Park Car Park
After lunch and some good rest, then moved to finish point children & ladies had some fun activities which they really enjoyed including tug-of-war. Adults (ladies) too had a tug-of-war competition which they very much enjoyed.
It was a great relief for us to see all participants arriving in good nick. The event finished without any major incident. As the last of the participants arrived at the finish point and everyone had a good rest, debrief of the event was conducted by the SGSC Chair. The feedback was very positive from all participants and irrespective of whether funding can be obtained or not, they want the event to continue as it provides a good day out with friends and families, fantastic panoramic views with clean fresh air and obviously good health benefit. It was so good to see the hike come to an end at 05:30pm with participants eagerly chatting with each other with smiles on their faces as they headed home.
The SGSC Management Team would like to thank all participants for their participation. We would also like to express our huge ‘Thank you’ to all those who helped directly or indirectly and to the kind sponsors for making this event such a success.
Article by
Navaraj Ghale
SGSC-Managing Director.
