NEXT YEAR’S TGO CHALLENGE:

What’s the plan?

After the travails of the pandemic, the TGO Challenge will still not quite be back to normal next year. TGO Challenge coordinators Ali Ogden and Sue Oxley give us the latest update.

What constantly impresses us about Challengers is their loyalty to and support for the event and us as coordinators. Many have waited patiently to walk routes designed for 2020, but we strongly feel that those who were able to support us by walking this year also shouldn’t be disadvantaged.

Most who did participate this year have indicated they also want to take part in 2022. That leaves us with a conundrum, as we already have more people than places for next year – even before we look at taking new entrants. We can’t increase numbers without some other measures as previous limitations are there for good reasons.

SO, FOR 2022 ONLY, THE PLANS ARE:

450 - 500 places, with those who missed out in 2020/21 or walked in 2021 having priority.

A staggered start from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 May, with 15 days to get to the east coast and a maximum of 125 starting on any day. Participants can start later but get a shorter time to cross as the event will finish on Friday 27 May.

Those with guaranteed places will be invited to enter via email from 20 September to 11 October.

Any unclaimed places will be offered to new entrants from

12-29 October at tgochallenge.co.uk and a draw will take place, if needed, in early November.

We hope this arrangement will prevent any start points or Highland villages being overwhelmed, whilst still maintaining the sociable side of the event. Sadly, this means we will have limited places for new entrants, but we hope to be fully back to normal in 2023.