The Coniston to Barrow Challenge 2022

A different challenge this year, we are doing both the Coniston AND the Keswick to Barrow Challenge Walks, ranging from 40 to 21 miles in distance! So no mean feat and something you should be proud of, whichever walk you choose to do.

So if Coniston to Barrow at 21 miles sounds more up your street, then this is the event page for you, but if you fancy more of a challenge, then you can do the whole hog and do the 40 miles of Keswick to Barrow! Go on, you can do it! Click here for that event page!

Why would you do such an event, you might ask! Well, it is a charity fundraising event for OutdoorLads as an approved charity in the K2B Foundation plus it is a truly awesome experience and a hell of an achievement when you make it to the finish line!  Teams enter from all parts of the region from large companies, small companies and charity teams like ours!  And we all share a percentage of total fundraising from team members.

Its not a short little jaunt, its a challenge and we know that money is tight but just a little pushing on Facebook, at work or other channels can bring in enough sponsorship to make it worthwhile.

All through the walk, you are supported by refresh and first aid (hopefully not needed) from the K2B Foundation but also from your amazing Support Team from OutdoorLads who will be on hand with snacks, drink top ups, sock changes, shoe changes as needed! All designed to make things as easy as possible for everyone! And to keep you as light on your feet as possible too!

The walk itself is on Saturday 7th May 2022, it is a morning start around 10am starting the walk.

Below is some important information on registering for the event with the Keswick to Barrow Foundation who run the event and also some advice on training and sponsorship:

GET REGISTERED

You must register with the Keswick to Barrow website and when you have done so, please email or message the leader with your Member ID; we will then use this to add you to the OutdoorLads team.  Make sure you register for the C2B event - Coniston to Barrow walk.

When prompted in the future, you will need to pay your entry fee for the walk, this is usually around £20. This covers your bus ticket to the start location and contributes to the walk operating costs.

If you have already registered in the past for the K2B or C2B, please don't register again.  If you struggle to remember your log in details, you can either reset your password or request help on the website to be able to do so.

JUST TO BE CLEAR - If you are doing the K2B (40 miles) then you only need to sign up to that event page, you do not need to sign up to the C2B (20 miles) event page too. Just to make sure we don't have people on both events. 

TRAINING

Training for this event is absolutely essential.  Walking on mountains and other terrain is one thing but this is a challenge in itself, not just for distance, but also the majority of the walk is on harder surface.  Hence the importance of comfy shoes - running shoes, comfy trainers etc are ideal.  Anything that won't give you a blister.  

Try steadily increasing your distance on walks or, if you go to the gym, increase your walking ability on the treadmill - not to 20 miles or anything like the walk, but just to get your body ready.

The walk overall ascends by 2000m across the course, with the majority being quite steady and in short bursts so the main focus is the distance. But you will be supoported at every step of the way by other walkers, your team members and your support team members.

ACCOMMODATION

Last year we successfully went with the idea of encouraging everyone to stay in Barrow-in-Furness (the end of the walk).  This works for the end of the event, when you will want to return to your accommodation and rest, although it does mean an earlier start to get to the start location in Keswick (90 min drive).  However, we would encourage Barrow as your choice.  Most people took advantage of good deals at Premier Inn or Travelodge in Barrow but a number of attendees brought tents/caravans, so the options are endless.

We normally meet for a pint and a meal on the Friday night before the event so that everyone can meet each other and we can get some pre walk admin done.

SPONSORSHIP

The event has a minimum sponsorship threshold of £80 per walker on the event. This money must be donated via the Keswick to Barrow Website. Donations direct to charity or via websites such as JustGiving/Virgin etc are not permitted.

Of the money raised, 67% goes to OutdoorLads to help the group continue to support our members, meeting our charitable aims of encouraging a healthy lifestyle in the LGBTQ community! 

The remaining 33% of donations cover the cost of running the event. As you experience it, you will see how much incredible infrastructure goes into the event.  It is quite something.

PHOTO PERMISSIONS

All photos are the property of the event leader and permission is granted for their use.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who has recently tested positive for Covid-19, is asked not to attend.