Rotary in Chichester City of Chichester International Challenge ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ March - Walks - Run - Mountain Bikes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ starting from Oakland's Park, Chichester, West Sussex, UK    City of Chichester

  Sunday 12th July 2009

Note new email address: chichester.challenge@googlemail.com

City of Chichester International Challenge

Formerly City of Chichester International  March

We have introduced TWO additional all terrain

running distances for your enjoyment, now giving 15km, 25km and 40km routes

See separate entry form below for these events or mark distance to run on previous forms.

All runs start at 9.00am, all walks start at 8.30am, all mountain bikes start at 10.00am.

Please note the 2009 application forms are not yet available

 Download GENERAL Application Form (2008)

Download NEW Runners Application Form (2008)

Download SponsorshipForm (2008)

(Adobe PDF Files)

Telephone: 01243 527739  Fax: 01243 527739

Medals, Gold, Silver and Bronze

STARTING TIMES

Revised event Start Times are listed below

9.00am   8.30am   10.00am   40km, 25km and 15km Runners   40km, 25km and 15km Walkers and Marchers   55km and 30km  Mountain Bikes PLEASE NOTE THE ABOVE CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Fancy  a healthy start to the summer holidays?

Like to explore the countryside of West Sussex?

Looking  to try something different on a Sunday?

You  really enjoy the countryside, walking or cycling?

Want a fun day out with friends, colleagues or family?

Take part in an inter-school, scouts, guides, cadets team challenge?

Enter  a shop, office, pub, club, charity fund raising team for charity?

Perhaps  your company or group would like to support the event?

You  could even take part in our all terrain measured run!

Then the CCIC is the event for you.

Contact the organisers by  e-mail

This Event

This International event is  a joint venture organized by a group formed from the Rotary Clubs and the City  Council
from the historic and ancien

Marching    Marching   We did it

Presenting Awards       Final Salute

City of Chichester working with the Rotary Clubs of Chichester on this  Community event

How you can  contribute

Your group or organisation may also contribute in the following ways.....

Promote this event to your family, staff, customers, residents, holiday visitors members, readers, 

gardeners, walkers, cyclists, in fact anyone who might be  interested

Put forward or nominate  volunteers as support personnel who are needed to marshal the event
and help the day run smoothly

Contact organisations who  would be interested in sponsorship, publicity, setting up stalls and side shows,
bands to play  and entertainment at the Graylingwell field

Encourage families, staff, customers, schools, holiday visitors,
residents, members, walkers, in fact anyone who might be interested, to join us on the  day,

if not to take part in the events, they may join us for refreshments and entertainment

whilst waiting your return from your walk or cycle ride.

Please forward details of this event by email  or other means to friends and

others who may be interested in joining us on this day

About this Event

This International event is a joint venture organised by a steering committee formed from the

Rotary Clubs and the City Council from the historic and ancient City of Chichester in the County of West Sussex, England.

A  similar event for walkers was first staged in 1977 and continued until 1993 when  some 8,000 entries

from many parts of the world supported the event. The event  was restarted in 1998 when

2,154 marchers and walkers took part. The  march/challenge attracts some 2,000 marchers

and walkers, runners and mountain bikes each year since 1998.

This year we are targeting for over to 2,500 marchers, walkers and cyclists to participate. 

In addition to the three walking distances and one running distance as previous years.....

We have now introduced two distances for Mountain Bikes taking separate  routes to that of the walking Challenge.     

This year the  measured all terrain 38Km run will also attract many fine athletes to enter for this all day event   .

The  routes twist and turn over the beautiful Sussex Downs, on the Goodwood Estate

owned by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, and  through other estates, east and west of Chichester.

This is  a fun day, not a race and flags and banners may be carried on the Challenge , indeed we encourage you to do so.

The event provides the facilities for the Rotary Clubs and local charities generally,

to raise funds for their own or preferred charities by individuals and teams obtaining  sponsorship for their own efforts.

The  Aim

The AIM  of the event is simply to encourage physical well-being and foster the spirit of  International

and community goodwill and friendship. Anybody may  enter. The event is open to

military and civilian, schools and colleges, individuals or teams from the UK or  overseas.

A team entry must include at least four entrants or cyclists all covering the same  distance.

 If you would like to take part in the runners route please indicate on the form attached.

Hot and  cold refreshments, drinks and ice creams are available at the event HQ and water

 is available at each checkpoint and at the finish. Please carry your own water  bottle with you.

If you require accommodation for the Saturday or Sunday night or are able to provide 

accommodation for other participants please indicate on the form attached.

If you require caravan parking or a tent site, on the Graylingwell site, please indicate.

Entry  fees - See application / Registration form

All fees include a named certificate of achievement. .

...........

Trophies are awarded for many different categories of entries including best school team,

best dressed team, most amusing team, best overall youth group, youth team with 

largest number of walkers, best civilian team, furthest travelling team, best  shop/business

team, best public house team, best male entry, best female walker,

most original team, best Rotary team, best family team and many  more.

Other  details and information on what you should wear, how you should train,

selecting  the right footwear, caring for your feet, what your dog should bring,

accommodation, feeding, support vehicles,  refreshments, safety etc will be

sent to you in good time for you to prepare for  the

big day, together with the official sponsor forms.

Bring friends and families along and get sponsored to

raise money for charities you would like to  support.

Encourage your family and  friends to join us at Graylingwell field in the afternoon

 to enjoy the  entertainment provided, including bands, side shows and other field activities.

  ............. .................

City of Chichester working with the Rotary Clubs of Chichester on this  Community event

Application  forms and further details on Web site link above or from contacts below.

Post: CCIC, Trees, Chestnut Avenue, Chichester, PO19 5QD

Telephone: 01243  527739  Fax: 01243  788534

Contact by e-mail

Web Site: http://www.chichester-march.org.uk

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Walking a satisfying experience for all...

   come and join us

The City of Chichester International Challenge encourages

walking in the countryside among all ages and social backgrounds.

Walking is good for  the body. It's good for the heart. It's good for the lungs.

It's good for the  muscle and bone growth of children.

And it's good for one's sense of well-being.

Walking is also very 'green' and environmentally friendly. As  a form of transport,

it has a low impact on the environment and it is accessible 

to most people, whatever their economic situation.

During recent years, walking has become increasingly popular -

as people have become more aware about health issues and the

importance of being in touch with the natural environment.

Walking has now developed into such a 'trendy' pastime that

 accessories, such as  rucksacks, are key part of High Street fashion.

Going for a walk has now become the nation's most popular

outdoor activity - with 15 million people  walking at least once every month.

Come and join us in Chichester.

You will feel better for it.

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Some of the  letters and e-mails
received since the previous events

From Lord Lieutenant of West  Sussex, Hugh Wyatt, Findon

Dear Mr  Price

Many congratulations on a remarkable organisational fete yesterday!

I would like to  hear in due course how much money was raised for the local  charities.

Thank  you so much for asking me to be present, give the prizes and take the salute.

I  was so impressed with everyone and everything I saw. You are blessed with a wonderful

team of volunteers and of course it would not succeed without the  marchers! They were so enthusiastic.

Thank  you again for asking me to be there and many congratulations again.

From Brian L Harris, Chichester

Dear Sir

Yesterday I took part in this annual event and succeeded in walking 25km.

I would  like to say how much I enjoyed it and to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone 

involved in the organising of it. I consider that everything was done superbly well, reception,

check points, marking of the routes, etc which made the walk so 

pleasurable and the final march past was the piece de resistance.

Thank  you to all involved on what was a very hot but memorable day.

Yours  gratefully

From Michael Sizeland, Chichester

I write  to congratulate and thank the Rotary Clubs and City Council for an extremely 

well organised and thoroughly agreeable City of Chichester International Challenge.

Our  thanks should also be extended to the efficient and helpful control staff,  marshals,

check point teams, St John s Ambulance personnel etc, not forgetting the long-suffering but friendly Sussex Constabulary.

As a veteran of some 7 previous marches, I wonder if I might be permitted to make a few minor observations -

a. In  terms of registration, checkpoint operation and post march/walk processing, this  was the

best organised yet. Pre-poured water distribution and an increased number of card markers

at check points certainly kept en route delays down to a minimum.

(Except perhaps at Tegleaze - check point 3 -  where we had to queue for water from the bowser)

b. The route was well devised and signposted but I believe that a few distance markers,

say at the 10, 20 and 30 kilometre stages, would have been helpful and good for morale.

A halfway marker for the 40 kilometre  march/walk (GraffhamDown - 

Grid 927162 or thereabouts) would have been particularly psychologically beneficial to the hot and footsore traveller.

c. I think that all the advertised distances on the back page of that otherwise very 

comprehensive instruction leaflet would bear a little revision. In particular, CP1 -CP2

must be at least 8.5 km (5 km quoted) whilst CP3 - CP4 can only be about 5.5 km (9.5 km quoted).

Personally, I much prefer the more patriotic imperial unit of the mile!

Well done and, again, thank you very much indeed. We look forward to the millennium event with keen anticipation:

From Veronica Hardy, Chichester

Dear Organisers

Please would you send me a copy of the Video of the Challenge when available.

As a first timer for the 40km, with no ill-effects whatsoever, and my age nearer to 60 than 50,

I feel I deserve a permanent memento of the occasion, as well as the medal!

Next year I shall be press-ganging colleagues half my age - if I can do it, then so can they.

Thank  you for organising the walk so well, my only adverse comment is that hill at  East Dean!

From Russell Falconer, Chichester, The Ramblers Association

Dear Mr  Price

Last Sunday 1st August my friend and I joined the CCIC for the first time. I am now writing to

express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the most enjoyable day.

It really was a good day although it was rather warm!

The way  marking was excellent with large signs. This made it easy to follow the route

and it was a bonus not having to keep looking at a map!

The  route was very varied; foot paths, shady woods, tracks, downland and country roads.

These all added to the general enjoyment. We particularly liked the views across the downlands and the farms.

It was a wonderful experience to spend a day in the countryside away from the maddening

crowd. How I wish I could spend everyday in the countryside but unfortunately I  have to go to business.

I am sure a large event like this must take many months of planning, organising and dozens of people.

Would  you kindly pass on our sincere and grateful thanks to all the registration  staff,

route and refreshment marshals, at the various checkpoints, and the Police.

I am sure there must be many more people. However, they all did a grand job

 and without their help and assistance the evnt would not have been a great success.

May I  just make a small point. I did have an initial  difficulty trying to get the date of the Challenge

and an application form. Fortunately, a friend of mine in our Chichester Group telephoned me with the details.

I do hope another Challenge will be arranged for next year. We shall certainly look forward to it.

Once again, thank you and all your members for organising and arranging such a good event.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Having completed the 40k walk yesterday, we would like to pass on our thanks to you and

all your workers for all their hard work yesterday and in the months leading up  to the Challenge.

Despite  the heat, we thoroughly enjoyed the day, finishing in 5.11 (Lyn) and 5.40 (Trevor).

The  bacon baguette and the first pint have never tasted so good.

Thanks again, and hope to compete again next year.

Lyn and Trevor Staff.

Dear Sirs

I would  like to express thanks for the organisation of the Challenge - to all those known and

unknown who contributed. As a first-timer (yes I did complete 42km) I was  most impressed

by the whole day. I hope that the attendance was what you wanted - there is certainly an

 interest in my office for a contingent to take part next  year, and I will do my best to ensure that.

Veronica

Hi - congratulations and well done for another splendid effort yesterday - from where

I was everything seemed to go off very well. I have put a very brief account in 

Priory Post but if you could let me have a fuller account during the week I  should be grateful.

Regards, Graham.

From the WSCC staff magazine....

Financial  Services Walking In Aid of Macmillan cancer relief

We done it!! Congratulations to the runner and the walkers who completed and

 thanks to those whose heart was in it but their bodies were not. There's always next year.

Graham Jessop headed the FS team and was  on his way by 7.25am followed shortly

 by our 40km walkers Andrea Steel & partner, Claire Harris & partner,  Sarah Sanders

and Tracey Davenport. A few of the 7.30 starters hadn't realised there was such a time

on a Sunday, though, still in high spirits and smiling!  For the majority of us the morning

started off at the meeting point by the  registration tent at 8.30 am,

with the remainder drifting in minutes later.

Our team captain, Heather Palmer, also  known to us as Buffy, was in the middle of giving

us a quick team talk (intake of liquid and all that, the usual thing) when she was

interrupted by a member of the Rotary Club. A microphone appeared and suddenly

Buffys' voice was projected across the park. The Rotary Club was recording the

day's event which will be available on VHS for purchase.

Buffy  did FS proud, gave an impressive and professional interview.

Val Mullany, the Macmillan representative also present,  gave us some encouragement before

 the start, wanting to take a photo of us all  in our clean white T- shirts. We all huddled round

to fit in the picture, posing  away, when Val looks up and says "You'll never guess 

what? No, I haven't forgotten to load the film but the batteries are dead!!"

A few  minutes to 9.00 we were asked to go to the starting point to have a quick photo shoot,

and away we went. The group started well, found their pace and walking partners,

inevitably the team separated but regrouped at each checkpoint.  Checkpoint 3

was on the route for the longer distance making a total of 4 checkpoints for the

25km walkers and they didn't come quick enough for some of us. Plenty of water was

downed not just into the stomach but over the head and

soon it looked like a wet T-shirt competition. For Yim anyway!

The 40km walkers had 5 checkpoints the first two came relatively quickly with some

 relief, however onto unknown territory for the first timers of this distance, it  was up

hill for 3.5km to join the Southdowns Way to checkpoint 3. A milestone had been

reached as this was the half-way point, someone had lovingly written on a board

reminding them of this but it also read "12½ miles still to  go." (How thoughtful of them!!!!)

Checkpoint 4 was lunch stop  at East Dean, a nice shady wall with somewhere to park

 the bottoms was bliss.  During this pit stop we met up with the 40km walkers, which I

must say at this point they looked remarkably fit though

they made the same comments about us.  All show maybe!!!

Once the food settled we were off again leaving some of the 40km walkers to

 further liquid intake, Nigel (Buffy's other half) and Mark Wrein set the pace.

Little did we know around the corner there was a steep hill facing us, this was

the tester for many. Again the team  got split up and for some the heat and the

climb was proving to take its toll,  together with the unshaded road around

Goodwood Racecourse and the stretch across The Trundle, the last checkpoint was more than welcome.

From here on in it was almost downhill all the way to the finish. Those with tired 

legs and painful hips, the pounding down Chalk Pit Lane

 did not help, though the  thought of less than 5km to go was a comfort to everyone.

When we  reached Summersdale we knew the end was drawing near. I'm sure relief

 was felt by most and even some had a sudden burst of energy to 

run to the finishing line to collect their well deserved medals and  certificates.

Again  WELL DONE all.

Thanks to all for your sponsorship, for those of you who have not put your names

down but wish to donate, any amounts welcome, do remember to complete the form  attached.

Participants were: Graham  Jessop, Claire Harris, Andrea Steel, Sarah Sanders,

Tracey Davenport, Heather Palmer, Nigel  Street, Nick Hatcher, Rosalie Hyde,

Sharon Garrod, Julian Olszowka, Mark Wrein, Yim Cheung, Andy Bucknall,  Paul Little, Ann Silsbury.

Well done the FS team, a great effort. ed

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