Sue Cook
BCN Marathon Challenge
Fundraising for Greyhound Trust
Story
hellois anything visibleThe BCN marathon challenge is a boat 'race' in which narrowboats compete
to cruise round as much the BCN as possible in 24 hours. It's a real
challenge as there are around 100 miles of canal in Birmingham and
around 120 locks - you have to choose your route carefully to make the
best of the points available. Points are awarded per mile and per lock
and extra points are awarded for cruising less well-known parts of the
canal system and for answering the 'treasure hunt' style questions along
the way. If the organisers suspect that you've broken the canal's speed
limit of 4mph then you're out - it's possibly the only marathon where
you can be disqualified for going too fast!
I won't pretend that we're going to win - there are some very competitive crews out there - but our target is somewhat ambitious, we'd like to cruise 44 miles and get through 78 locks - with the help of some experienced crew from nb Matilda Rose and nb Greyhound.
Our account of our journey is on our blog here: http://indigodream.wordpress.com/
- See more at: http://www.mycharitypage.com/completed_event.php?user=IndigoDream&eid=2436#sthash.6eUNFbrQ.dpuf
I won't pretend that we're going to win - there are some very competitive crews out there - but our target is somewhat ambitious, we'd like to cruise 44 miles and get through 78 locks - with the help of some experienced crew from nb Matilda Rose and nb Greyhound.
Our account of our journey is on our blog here: http://indigodream.wordpress.com/
- See more at: http://www.mycharitypage.com/completed_event.php?user=IndigoDream&eid=2436#sthash.6eUNFbrQ.dpuf
The Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) 24-hour Marathon Challenge is exactly that - a challenge to cruise round as much of the BCN in 24 hours, gathering points along the way. You get points for completing obscure parts of the BCN, doing locks and for answering "treasure hunt" questions.
In 2011 we came third and raised a splendid £2,500. This year we're fundraising for two Retired Greyhound Trust branches - Greyhoundhomer Essex and Perry Barr.
Our crew are working on a tough route that will give us a chance of winning the challenge in 2014. But only YOU can help us to beat our fundraising target!
Our human crew will be Christine from nb Ketura, Greygal and the Synth Prof from nb Henry H with Sue (that's me) and Richard from nb Indigo Dream. Our greyhound crew will be Archie, Henry, Herbie and Rosie - all experienced narrowboaters :-)
Our journey into narrowboating and retired greyhounds started in May 1996 when we bought our own boat, Indigo Dream, and adopted our first retired greyhound, Blue. Blue was soon joined by our second greyhound, Lou, and we cruised the length and breadth of England together.
Sadly, Blue and Lou are long gone, but Indigo Dream cruises on with their houndie successors. So far, we have welcomed 33 retired greyhounds on board, as well as 13 of their "honourary greyhound" friends. Everywhere we cruise, the greyhounds are the stars - they teach people the virtues of rehoming a gentle companion who will be forever grateful for their forever sofa.
We welcome all donations, not matter how small. It takes very little to bring a smile to a retired greyhound's face :-)