Chase Walk
The Chase Walk is a 40-mile competitive event held in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, England. The walk takes place in springtime every year where teams of between 4 and 7 people attempt to complete the distance in the fastest time possible while navigating their way around Cannock Chase.
The 2008 Chase Walk took place on 15 March. There were 59 adult teams entered with starting times between 6 am and 7 am. Before a team is allowed to walk they must have a kit check which takes place 30 minutes before their start time. The fastest team home took 9 hours 51 minutes with the slowest team taking 17 hours 54 minutes and not finishing.
Each year all finishing teams are given a cloth badge.
A strict kit list must be adhered to and carried with each team for walkers to complete. This list includes items such as a first aid kit, the right boots, reflective clothing for walking during the hours of darkness, along with other safety equipment.
Each year a trophy called the Birmingham University Trophy is awarded to the fastest team of seven whom all finish. Before 1996 the Birmingham University trophy was awarded to the fastest team with no retirements.
Other trophies:
- Compass Trophy — both male and female members finish.
- Veterans Trophy — average age 45 or over at start and finish. Before 1996 the Veterans Trophy was awarded to the fastest team averaging 35 years or over at both start and finish. This ran from 1986.
- Rolling Pin Trophy — all members are female.
- Rock Trophy — all members aged over 14 and under 18.
- Knot Trophy — no member of the team has entered the event before.
- Crutch Trophy — any member aged 25 or over. Previously this trophy was for teams with any member aged 20 or over. It ran from 1985 until 2002.