trek for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust

Below, Kim recounts the tale of the day:

The days leading up to the event were not promising with unwelcome, unseasonal heavy rain giving rise to conditions which Rebecca Adlington would welcome. As a result the 2012 Trailwalker offered participants the wettest and most challenging conditions in the event's history. Arriving at the start area at 7.00 am the state of the support vehicle parking area gave a taste of the swamp-like conditions to come.

The Trailwalker comprises 550 teams who together aim to raise over £1m for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust - this year is expected to have reached £1.3m in the final analysis. Each team comprises of four walkers, of which at least three must finish the 100km course (that's 62 miles in old money) for the teams' time to be registered. Of the 2,200 entrants 1,900 made it to the start (what did those missing 300 know?). We were on station in good time for our allocated 9.00 am start, and we were joined at the start by Jeremy Robinson, from Charles Stanley Asset Management who was walking with three friends. Jeremy's team finished in 26 hours 44 minutes.

The first few miles were steady going in bright sunshine. But by the time we reached Checkpoint #1, 9.6km in, the clouds descended and steady drizzle, turned to steady rain, which turned to gales, lashing rain, thunderstorms and lightning - and us marching on holding aluminium walking poles!

Despite the conditions we were able to maintain our target pace, with the objective of completing the course in under 24 hours, but it became increasingly clear that the elements were conspiring against us all. The mud and lying water were making the going ever more tiring and, in places, treacherous. Then to add to the challenge Checkpoint #3, at which we were to have met our support team for our first hot meal, was closed due to flooding. But we were fortunate that through foresight and efficiency, our crew were able to set up at Checkpoint #4, at 37.6km, and prepare a meal for our arrival (just before that Checkpoint was also closed, due to the depth of the mud). Fortified with a hot meal and dry footwear we set off again shortly before 5.00 pm. And the rain kept falling!

Although the South Downs may not be the highest of mountain ranges, the South Downs Way does present some gruelling climbs and a number of potentially treacherous descents. The aggregate climbs over the length of the course is 2,500 m (or 8,202 ft) - for comparison Ben Nevis = 1,344m, Snowdon = 1,085m.

By Checkpoint #5, the 50km mark, the ascents and descents and adverse conditions were taking their toll. 14 % of the field failed to progress past halfway. And "Where's the Pub" were certainly feeling the effects. My feet were now blistered and a brief feinting fit at Checkpoint #6 meant that spirits were at a low ebb as nightfall fell. But our team leader Andy kept us going along at a good pace, as we continued to pass teams flagging by the way side.

As we had learnt previously, when completing the Caledonian Challenge in Scotland, key for a respectable time is to make sure the team doesn't dwell at the rest stops. Our next meal from our support team was at Checkpoint #7, on the Devil's Dyke. As the rain was blowing almost horizontally under our gazebo while we dressed and ate there was little prospect of dwelling longer than necessary at the stop.

We headed out again into the dark, moonless night shortly before midnight, with the lights from the head torches of other walkers strung out along the path ahead of us. As the night wore on our legs grew more tired but the rain began to ease. The only constant was the depth of the mud and the size of the puddles along the path.

Checkpoint #8, The Jack and Jill Windmills above Brighton, is at 76 km and by now I was feeling decidedly unwell, not helped by the medicinal rehydration drinks provided by the Gurkha support. Perhaps my condition was brought on by the surreal atmosphere created by the Checkpoint team blasting Queen's Fat Bottom Girls across the hillside at the approaching hikers.

The next 14 km leg was the longest of the entire exercise, but we were spurred on by the prospect of breakfast prepared by our valiant support crew at Checkpoint #9, or at least warm chicken soup. Coming into Checkpoint #9 as the sun rose behind us, and the Downs rolled out before us, the magic of the moment was somewhat lost on me. In part due to the tiredness, in part the pain of the blisters on both heels, but mostly due to the sight of the looming climb ahead up above Kingston Hollow. We pushed on up the 136m assent to take in some glorious views in the now clear early morning light on the downs at Woodingdean. The final 10 km seemed much further, but we pushed on in now bright sunshine and as the Grandstand at Brighton Racecourse finally loomed before us we almost cantered up the home straight to the finishing line - four abreast - as we finished in 23 hours 27 minutes.

A special mention to Lorraine Brookes the fourth member of our team who started the event following a chest infection earlier that week. We only discovered this when she doubled up in pain on the first ascent.

Grateful thanks go to our support crew without whom we would not have completed the challenge.

And a special thank you to all our sponsors, who have helped us raise over £3,700 and whose generous contributions, and sometimes encouraging words, make the pain and effort all worthwhile.

A wonderful experience - anyone wish to join me again next year?

For the Record:

Team: Where's the Pub?
Position: 71st (of 550 teams)
Time: 23 hours 27 minutes
Entrants: 1902 started - 1469 finished