Still smiling after 45 miles
On Saturday, 3rd April, 1st Hinchley Wood entered 3 teams in the Four Inns walk, a tough competitive walk in the Peak District, extending 45 miles (72km) over some of the roughest moorland in Britain.
The Walk takes its name from the four Inns along its route: The Isle of Skye (site of), Snake Pass Inn, Nags' Head and Cat and Fiddle.
1st Hinchley Wood has been entering teams for the 4 Inns Walk every year since 1984 having also done so a few times in the 1970s. This year as with every other year we were, aside from the not inconsiderable feat of completing the hike, attempting to set the fastest time in Esher District. The previous best time set back in 1999 also by 1st Hinchley Wood was just under 13 ½ hrs.
With 1st Claygate having had to withdraw their team at the last minute due to injuries 1st Hinchley Wood were guaranteed to retain the trophy, provided at least one person finished. The fact that all 9 who started managed to complete the gruelling walk was testimony to their stamina, given that the majority of the hike was spent battling against high winds and torrential rain.
Despite this the team of Simon Evans, Chris and Billy Platt and Chris Beaney pulled out all the stops to set a new record of 12 hours 33 minutes, knocking almost an hour off the previous record. As well as setting a new record, they took third place in the Derbyshire Plate, the trophy for teams outside Derbyshire. This is the first time any team in Esher District has attained a top 3 position. The other teams came in a creditable 4 hrs later, still a fantastic achievement.