The Gower Gallop Challenge
 

 

 

 


June 12th 2010

Many thanks to all those who came along to this year’s event – we were lucky with the weather and over 300 people took part. Next year the Gower Gallop will be on June 12th and we look forward to seeing you again.

The Gower Gallop provides a choice of three walking routes - 30 miles, 20 miles or 12.5 miles.

All routes cover a wide variety of terrain, visiting major points in Gower such as Arthur's Stone, Rhossili, and Oxwich Bay. Participants must navigate their way round a series of preset checkpoints. The routes finish where they start from with a well deserved cup of tea! The event has been running since 1993, and attracts walkers and runners from around the UK.

For the last few years, the Gower Gallop has been part of the Gower Walking Festival, which in 2010 will take place from June 5th to 20th.
For further information about the Festival contact:
Mumbles Tourist Information on 01792 361302
Email: info@mumblestic.co.uk
Website: www.mumblestic.co.uk

The information below, from 2009, should give you an idea of what the Gower Gallop is all about.

The Routes

 

Checkpoint Opening times

 

Required Equipment Check List

 

Conditions Of Entry

 

Procedures

 

 

 

The Routes

Please note that RUNNERS should start 30 minutes later than these times to ensure that checkpoints are open by the time they reach them.

Route A - 30 miles

6:30

REGISTRATION

Grid Ref.

7:00

Start - Sports Pavilion Pennard

55338814

9:00

Arthur’s Stone Car Park

49219004

9:45

Llanrhidian

49589225

11:30

Llanmadoc car park

43969351

14:00

Rhossili Lookout

40368746

16:00

Port Eynon Youth Hostel

46848478

19:00

Finish - Sports Pavilion Pennard

55338814

Route B - 20 miles

7:30

REGISTRATION

Grid Ref.

8:00

Start - Sports Pavilion Pennard

55338814

10:15

Arthur’s Stone Car Park

49219004

11:15

Near Burry (unmanned)

45549016

12:45

Paviland

43878606

14:00

Port Eynon Youth Hostel

46848478

17:30

Finish - Sports Pavilion Pennard

55338814

Route C - 12.5 miles

9:00

REGISTRATION

Grid Ref.

9:30

Start - Sports Pavilion Pennard

55338814

12:00

Arthur’s Stone Car Park

49219004

13:15

Junction east of Hangman's Cross

48438684

16:00

Finish - Sports Pavilion Pennard

55338814

Orienteering route – 20 km

9:00

REGISTRATION

Grid Ref.

9:30

Start - Sports Pavilion Pennard

55338814

As per control list, includes Arthur’s Stone Car Park

49219004

17:30

Finish - Sports Pavilion Pennard

55338814

 

Checkpoint Opening Times

Checkpoint Opening/Closing Times

Grid Ref

 

Opening Time

Closing Time

55338814

Sports Pavilion, Pennard

6:30

21:00

49219004

Arthur’s Stone Car Park

7:45

13:30

49589225

Llanrhidian

8:15

10:15

43969351

Llanmadoc car park

9:15

12:15

40368746

Rhossili Lookout

10:45

15:00

45549016

Near Burry (unmanned)

9:15

12:30

43878606

Paviland

10:00

14:15

46848478

Port Eynon Youth Hostel

10:30

17:30

48438684

Junction east of Hangman’s Cross

10:30

15:30

 

Required Equipment Check List

Whistle
Emergency Rations
A simple first aid kit
Waterproofs - including over-trousers (may be waived for runners and orienteers in good weather)
Sensible footwear - boots with ankle support and good tread, runners and orienteers should have appropriate footwear
Map – Orienteers - 1:25,000 Explorer 164

        - Walkers 1:25000 Explorer 164 or 10 or 1:50,000 Sheet 159
Compass

For walkers staying as groups for the entire route, one map and one compass for every three entrants is acceptable.

You may be refused entry if you do not have these items.

 

Conditions of Entry

1. Entrants must be at least 12 years old. Those under 16 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

2. Each entrant must carry those items listed in the equipment checklist. Random spot checks may be made.

3. Any entrant retiring or in difficulty must telephone the organisers (the number is on the checkpoint/control card) or inform the nearest checkpoint, otherwise an unnecessary search may be instigated for you.

4. All walkers must observe the Country Code at all times.

5. Swansea Outdoor Group have the right to:
- Refuse entry and to require entrants to retire for any reason, but especially on grounds of safety (including deteriorating weather conditions).
- Postpone or cancel the event if weather conditions are considered to be too severe.

6. Neither Swansea Outdoor Group, Swansea Bay Orienteering Club, any member of either, nor any sponsor or supporter associated with the event can accept any responsibility for any loss or injury, or any financial loss howsoever caused.

 

Procedures

Registration

> Entry fee: Adults £5.00 in advance, £6.00 on the day; juniors and unwaged £3.50.
> To register in advance, send the completed entry form plus entry fee to the address on the form, by 5th June 2009.
> Registration/check in time: 30 minutes before start time.

Procedure during the walk

> Walkers should visit each of the checkpoints in the order shown above for your route.

> Orienteers will receive control details at the start. The course tests navigational skills more than the walking routes but is not a highly technical route for experienced orienteers.
> Walk timings given are typical - your own times may vary from these but must be within the designated opening times. Note that the event is not competitive.
> Ensure that your entry number is recorded by the marshal at each manned checkpoint.
> Total distances are approximate, the exact distance will be determined by the route you choose between checkpoints.
> Route A is a particularly challenging walk and requires that a sustained pace is maintained. Please ensure that you are up to the challenge before the day of the event.
> Entrants must pass through the “Junction East of Hangman’s Cross” checkpoint by 15:30, or Port Eynon Youth Hostel by 17:30, or they will be retired from the event and offered transport to the finish.

Procedure At The Finish

> Give your checkpoint card to the check-in desk to record your return.
> Please do not go home without checking in since this could mean an unnecessary search is carried out for you.
> The Sports Pavilion will close and the car park will be locked at 21:00.

Refreshments

Light refreshments will be available at Arthur’s Stone Car Park, Llanmadoc and Port Eynon checkpoints, and at the finish until 20:30. Additional water supplies will be available, however, you are strongly advised to bring adequate provisions for the day.

 

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Page Updated on 08.08.09

 

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