Marathon Challenge 2008
Entry forms are now available: download the entry form or invitation letter.
What is it?
It takes the form of a challenging day / evening incident hike, occurring over a 70 sq. km area, with a total of 26 checkpoints. Teams of 3 - 5 choose their own route, visiting as many checkpoints as they wish over a time period of 9 hours. While a majority of checkpoints will be unmanned, significantly more points will be available at manned checkpoints where teams will be asked to undertake further challenges. Three trophies are available to be won: one for Scout Association teams, one for Girlguiding UK teams and one for teams with members over 18 years of age. However, the number of checkpoints you visit is up to you, so it can just be a stroll in the countryside and opportunity for a pub lunch! This makes Marathon Challenge suitable for all levels of ability. Due to the distance covered, time needed to complete challenges at manned checkpoints, and the fact that some navigation may be in the dark, it is envisaged that only the very best teams will manage to visit all 26 checkpoints.
See photos from the Marathon Challenge 2007 event, or the 2006 event.
Where is it?
In 2007, the event was based in Shillington. It is anticipated that in 2008 the event will also be near the Cambridgeshire – Bedfordshire - Hertfordshire border.
When is it?
Marathon Challenge 2008 will take place on Saturday 8th November
Who is eligible
Any member of Guiding or Scouting aged from 14 upwards is eligible to enter, as are SSAGO members. This includes Explorer Scouts members of Scout Network, Young Leaders, Rangers and adults of any section. You will be asked to enter teams of 3 - 5, but if you can't find other people to enter with, we may be able to place you with a team - contact us if this is the case.
How do I find out more?
Download the invitation letter and entry form, or e-mail marathonchallenge [at] cusagc.org.uk. Please are limited so please return the form to Sarah Shailes along with payment for each team member as soon as possible and by Monday 13th October at the latest.
Marathon Challenge 2007 Report
For nine teams of Guiders, Scouters and Explorer Scouts, Saturday 27th October was spent hunting for traffic cones in the Bedfordshire countryside, in an attempt to gain the most points in Marathon Challenge 2007. The annual event organised by Cambridge University Scout and Guide Club (CUSAGC) was a massive success, much enjoyed by both participants and helpers. Given just a list of 26 grid references at the start, teams had 9 hours to plan their route and navigate between as many checkpoints as they could. Bonus points were obtained at manned bases where challenges testing communication skills, teamwork, first aid and logical thinking where completed. Exhausted participants were welcomed back to HQ with a cooked dinner before the trophy presentation. Every team did exceptionally well, but congratulations to the winners – The Merlin Explorers from Barton le Clay and The Undertakers Scout Fellowship team – who managed to reach all the checkpoints in the given time and did so dropping only 37 points! The provisional date for Marathon Challenge 2008 is Saturday 8th November 2008 so put that in your diaries and look out for information nearer the time!
The Scores
Explorer Scouts
| Team | Points (max 1800) |
| Merlin Explorers | 877 |
| Granta Explorers | 800 |
| Gamblingay Explorers | 775 |
Over 18s
| Team | Points (max 1800) |
| The Undertakers | 1763 |
| Cambs Network/38th Cambridge Brownie Owls | 1584 |
| Hedgerow Medley | 1450 |
| 7th Cambridge Guiders | 1434 |
| 56th Peterborogh | 1181 |
| Rosie's Team (Cambs East Guiders) | 1095 |
A Participant's Story
After 35km my legs just about managed to shuffle to the kitchen to collect my dinner – possibly the most hard earned baked potato I've ever had. It's easy to forget in Cambridge that there is a world beyond, but to escape the flat terrain and essay deadlines for a day spent hunting traffic cones is a pretty good antidote. Our last minute team reshuffle worked fantastically and we had a great time with the Network girls we walked with. The walking was great with well laid out checkpoints that lent themselves to a choice of routes. The four manned bases were all good fun, although I was rather putout to discover that I was worse at the Lego communication challenge than the Brownies who had ‘tried it out' the week before! We finished exhausted but pretty pleased with our 23/26 checkpoints, a respectable second behind the unbeatable Undertakers! The phenomenal amount of organisation that went in to Marathon again this year really paid off, with an event that was thoroughly enjoyable and faultlessly planned. I'll be back next year and this time I'm aiming for all 26!