The Co-ordinator has very nicely reminded everyone to get their Challenge route sheets in to meet the new earlier deadlines.

If you haven't even begun your route planning, ask yourself "Am I really serious about taking part?" Of course, you may have been frantically busy with family, Christmas, work and the New Year celebrations, but just in case that isn't the case...

If you have a place, but you think that you probably won't be able to take part in the Challenge for whatever reason, could you think hard about those who would be able to - those who are currently languishing on the standby list?

Folk on the list are currently chewing their finger nails down to the quick, worried that this year's earlier closing of the standby list will mean that fewer will gain places from the list.

There will be those standing by who already have their routes finalised and ready to send off for vetting.

So - in the nicest possible way - have a think about it! If you're thinking it's looking increasingly unlikely that you'll be able to make the walk, do someone a wonderful New Year's Favour, and let the Co-ordinator know. Someone will me massively grateful to you!

Thank you!

Blimey,

There's no need for anyone to throw themselves on to their swords just yet.

As stated in previous post, there's a fortnight left for those who've done five or more crossings; a month-and-a-half for the others.

If you're struggling to get the route complete for whatever reason, please drop me a discreet email and we'll have a blether. If you think you won't be able to do the crossing in May, then feel free to have a chat about at too; we might look fierce from time to time but we're all ears, and always try to offer assistance and accommodate whatever problems and issues folk have from time to time.

Bear in mind that we can't refund entry fees to anyone withdrawing now…

This year, for the first time, we offered people the option of whether to join the SB list or not; while a few folk opted not to have the uncertainty of sitting it out on the list, the majority ticked the box to be added, even some of 2013's ten-timers (in previous years ten-timers were asked to sit the following year's crossing out to give more a chance to partake).

So while waiting on the SB List might be nail-biting for those who remain, it's their decision to gnaw!

Happy Gnaw Year!