TGO Challenge

After cancellations, delays and many months of uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers Sue Oxley and Ali Ogden celebrated a triumphant return of the TGO Challenge as over 100 walkers completed an adventurous west-to-east crossing of the Scott

THERE HAVE BEEN many anxious moments since the TGO Challenge 2020 was cancelled. We wondered, despite our efforts and the loyalty of challengers, if the 2021 event would go the same way – but a second cancellation didn’t bear thinking about. We had many concerns, including the impact of the event on small towns emerging from lockdown, and whether challengers would enjoy a slimmed-down, smaller event. Our nightmares were filled with midge-bitten challengers phoning in their droves to retire and never come back again.

But it turns out we need not have worried. Yes, the midges had their moments; but challengers are a resilient bunch, and pretty much every face we saw in Montrose at the end was a happy one. Even the weather generally played ball, excepting a couple of November-like days that made walking the Lairig Ghru rather ‘interesting’. So as challenge control closed on the final Friday, we breathed the biggest sigh of relief of the six challenges we’ve now coordinated.

Somehow, though there are far more important things in life, it mattered more that the challenge happened this year – not just to those who were able to participate but to everyone who loves this unique and quirky event. Neither Covid-19 nor the midges could beat us.

Enthusiasm and adaptability

A total of 125 challengers set off from the west coast in June (this year’s event was rescheduled from its usual May timing) with 108 finishing. Remarkably, though challenge control heard quite a few foot-related grumbles, only one person retired this year with sore feet. Fatigue, minor injuries and illnesses accounted for most of the rest.

The general consensus amongst regular challengers was that it seemed harder than usual, no doubt because we haven’t had as much chance to be in the hills with our tents on our backs. One of our more senior participants commented she was two years older and two years less fit.

After 18 months of only communicating with challengers by email, it was so good to see familiar faces walking into challenge control yet again – but it was even more special to meet 2021’s crop of new recruits. As ever, the enthusiasm of first-timers was the lifeblood of the event, and we were glad to hear many of these fantastic people expressing an interest in taking on a second crossing.

First into challenge control on Monday, June 28, was 2021’s youngest challenger – 20-year-old Bradley Jordan, on his first crossing – closely followed by his grandfather Alan on his 19th crossing. At the other end of the age scale our three octogenarians all looked remarkably fresh as they rolled into control on successive days in age order. Alan Kay arrived on the second Wednesday, senior lady Jean Turner on Thursday, and senior man, 82-year-old John Burt, on Friday. Both Alan and John were celebrating their 20th crossings and were presented with commemorative plaques, as were Jim Davidson, Derek Hopkins and Kirsten Paterson, who all completed their 10th crossings.

A special mention should go to two other challengers. The first of these is

Saskia Siemensma, who was the only overseas participant. Travel restrictions made it impossible for most, but she was willing to quarantine in London prior to the event and will now be quarantining again at home in the Netherlands. Having represented the ‘rest of the world’ this year, we hope she will be one of many again in 2022. Secondly, Paul D’Ambrogio showed just how adaptable challengers can be. A member of his family tested positive for Covid-19 the week before the event, meaning his self-isolation period extended well into the first week. Realising his original Plockton route couldn’t be significantly shortened, he planned a completely new route in just two days, which was swiftly vetted by challenge control. He started from Oban on the first Thursday almost a week behind most challengers and finished his seventh crossing on Friday afternoon.

Thank you

We have a lot of people to thank, so here it goes! Gordon Menzies for helping challengers to cross Loch Ness; the Sutherlands at Ault-na-Goire for their fabulous welcome; David and his team at The Burn for offering challengers the chance to finish their crossing in style;

The Park Hotel in Montrose, especially Grace, Alan, Emma and Mike; Ultralight Outdoor Gear for supporting the event and providing t-shirts; our volunteers including Gayle Faulkner, Mick Blackburn, Alan Hardy and Cindy Hardy; our vetters, including Roger Smith, who has decided to retire his prolific vetting pencil after more than three decades; and finally, of course, the challengers because it can’t be a challenge without challengers.

Thank you so much to everyone – not just those who were able to stick by us and participate this year, but also to those who would have joined us if they could. We are humbled by the magnitude of your support and can’t wait for a successful 2022 event.