2/10/09 WE DID IT!! AND WE'VE SMASHED OUR TARGET BUT PLEASE KEEP DONATING!!!!
What a mind and body blowing 48hrs!! 140 miles in 2 days - Kayak, run, bike - North tip of Devon to South tip.
2 gruelling days of 10.45 hrs and 10.30 hrs but we are both exhilarated to have completed the course albeit walking like John Wayne since our return!!
Again many thanks to all who have supported us and if you have not yet managed please donate on this page if you can.
Full race report to follow soon.
regards
Matt & Brendon
19/9/09 STOP PRESS!!
Less than a week to go now! We have been putting the training hours in with a particularly gruelling schedule over the last couple of weeks. We will ease off next week so we are fresh for the race and we promise no alcohol will pass our lips from now until next Sunday night!!! Looking forward to the big event but plenty of apprehension too...
Please keep donating and a massive thank you to all who have supported us so far.
regards
M & B
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Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.
Matt & Brendon have entered into Endurance Life's Devon Coast2Coast, a 2 day, 140 mile Adventure Race over the weekend of 26/27th September 2009. Yes we have gone mad!!
We are training hard and hope to raise over £2000 for the HCPT Pilgrimage Trust. HCPT takes thousands of children/adults with disabilities or special needs on a pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes in France ever year. It gives them a much needed holiday and their families/helpers back at home a much needed break. The children/adults travel in small family-style groups with experienced volunteer helpers, doctors, nurses and chaplains. The Trust has a house in the mountains (Hosanna House) outside Lourdes for people of all ages with disabilities. Matt's parents and family are heavily involved with HCPT and head up the South Devon Group 539 so it's a charity close to our hearts. The money raised from this event will go directly into Group 539's contribution to the Hosanna House refurbishment fund. Charity Reg No. 281074.
We have been training hard for the last 3 months or so with a big push now with less than a month to go. Training sessions are often 2 or 3 hours a day with the multi disipline of running/biking and kayaking. We need all the support possible for such a worthy cause although we do of course realise that these are difficult times - please donate what you can.
The Devon Coast 2 Coast is an epic, 140 mile, multi-sport traverse of one of Britains largest and finest counties. This long distance Trail X event 'journeys' through some of Britains finest landscape by human power alone. The course follows an un-contrived, linear route from the northern-most point to the southern-most point of Devon. Participants trail run, road cycle, off-road mountain bike and kayak their way through the county over two days. The course incorporates sections of the world-renowned long distance trail, the South West Coast Path; passes through two spectacular National Parks: Exmoor and Dartmoor; and finishes in the sublimly beautiful Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the South Hams.
Now in its 6th year, the Devon C2C has become an absolute must-do, bench-mark event in the UK. It attracts an ecletic mix of athlete; adventurous triathletes, adventure racers, endurance all-rounders and ambitious weekend warriors looking for that ultimate challenge.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer (so please tick Gift Aid if you are a taxpayer!). So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Please dig deep and donate now.
THANK YOU!
Matt & Brendon
(STAGES BELOW!)
The Classic Route
Start Time: 09:00 (Saturday)
Stage 1: Running - 9 miles / 14.5km (mixed terrain)
This first stage takes runners on a multi-terrain loop from the Event Base at Brendon, out to Foreland Point and back. This 'warm-up' section involves some lovely trail running alongside a wooded river valley, before gently ascending to give fantastic vews of this stunning coastline of Devon. The route then descends to the Foreland Point lighthouse, the northern-most point of the county.
The route returns to the Event Base via footpaths and quiet tarmac tracks. By no means an easy run due to the undulating nature of the topography. The welcomed sight of the Event Base leads competitors into their first Transition and onto their bikes.
Bag Access: Transition Bag at Brendon
Stage 2: Cycling - 55 miles / 88km (road)
The longest stage of the event has participants riding through the simply majestic National Park of Exmoor. One of the lesser known NPs of Britain, people who live there or already know the area will vouch for its remarkable beauty. Expect to see expansive views over moorland with steep sided valleys cutting into it. Be aware of Exmoor ponies and sheep on the roads as you climb and descend your way across the landscape.
On leaving Exmoor, you will immediately be weaving your way down quiet country lanes that typify the Devon landscape. Undulating topography, river valleys, steep sided hedged banks, and vivid autumn colours will be all evident on this section. When Dartmoor appears on the horizon, look out for its highest peak - to later be negotiated, High Willhays (621m).
The route then passes through the market town of Okehampton and joins 'cycleway 27'. This traffic free nature trail follows the disused railway line, lined by wild flowers, to take riders directly onto Dartmoor. After crossing Meldon Viaduct, the next Transition soon approaches.
Cut Off Time: 16:00
Bag Access: Transition Bag at Meldon Reservoir
Participants must complete this stage by 16:00, allowing 7 hours to complete Stages 1&2. Anyone failing to do so will not be able to complete Stage 3, and will be asked to continue onto Stage 4.
Stage 3: Trail / Mountain Running - 4 miles / 7km (trail / fell)
A short run from Transition at Meldon Reservoir leads up to the summit of High Willhays, the highest peak in southern England. This climb of over 1100ft (340m) passes over terrain typically found on Dartmoor. The coarse heather, grassy tusocks, and boggy moorland can make the going very tough. After reaching the summit, a brief moment to admire the view, and it's back down to Transition.
Bag Access: Transition Bag at Meldon Reservoir
Stage 4: Cycling - 23 miles / 37km (road)
The route continues along the disused railway of cycleway 27, that contours the edge of Dartmoor. It then ducks inland towards Lydford Gorge, a magnificent natural wonder cut into the countryside. Cyclists return towards Dartmoor, with yet more climbing and descending. The final stretch of road works its way agonisingly towards Princetown and the end of Day One. Despite the glorious views across the expansive bleak landscape of Dartmoor, the final few miles are sure to hurt.
Bag Access: Transition Bag & Overnight kit bag
Overnight Camp: Princetown
A fantastic spot, situated at the very heart of Dartmoor, and gives cause for a semi-celebration - half down, half to go. This is the perfect opportunity to relax in a beautiful setting, re-fuel, recover and socialise amongst other participants. Always a great atmoshpere and a highlight of the event.
Stage 5: Mountain Biking - 23 miles / 37km (mixed terrain)
A real mixed bag of terrain, allowing for some superb mountain biking. Starting off by crossing grassy moorland, the route then follows a network of bridleways, green lanes and quiet back roads to find its way to Totnes. Technical in places, this section is a mountain bikers paradise and will require an aggressive tread on the tyre to cope with the conditions.
Bag Access: Transition Bag at Totnes*
* You must then carry your Transition Bag with you to the Kayak Get-Out at Dartmouth.
Stage 6: Kayaking - 8 miles / 13km (estuary)
A simply stunning but hard paddle down one of the finest rivers in England, the River Dart. Tree and flower clad banks will accompany you as you weave your way towards the picturesque town of Dartmouth.
Bag Access: Transition Bag at Dartmouth
Sun 27 Sep:
Low Water - 05:36 (2.3m)
High Water - 12:01 (3.6m)
Low Water - 18:28 (2.4m)
Stage 7: Trail Running - 19 miles / 30km (mixed terrain)
This run is a true epic. Brutal yet beautiful. This will sap any remaining energy from you, but will fill you will elation as you cross the finish line. On this section of the journey, you will encounter golden coves, rocky cliff lines, the majestic vista of Start Bay and Slapton Sands, and some of the best coastal trail running in the country! Simple - 19 showcase miles of the world re-knowned South West Coast path.
