Here we go:
Spring “Walk”
Richmond Railway Station, Richmond, Surrey
Sat 11th April, meet @ 0900 - approx 30k / 18miles
Circular walk that takes in Richmond Park and the Thames Path - will certainly see parakeets and deer; may see otters, seals or even a dolphin (seriously - google it if ya don’t believe me!). Mixed terrain: mostly paths and pavements; overall very flat – one gentle hill in Richmond Park. Tons of wildlife and plenty of sightseeing along the way.
Lots of toilets… and LOTS OF PUBS along route; packed lunch and snacks recommended (West London prices!), but we will also pass plenty of shops.
Public transport DEFINITELY recommended!
Premier Inn / Travelodge etc available nearby
RAFWARMA Cosford
Sports Pavillion adjacent to RAF Cosford
Sat 25th & Sun 26th April, meet @06450645 - 40k / 25 miles both days
Typically: a group of us travel up / down on Friday evening; stay in a budget hotel; go out for dinner Saturday night; return home Sunday afternoon.
Most of us will be walking 40km both days; other distances available
Free parking available. Toilets & refreshments available at start and along route; shops and pubs along routes
Medals / pins for completion; souvenir merch available to buy. Entry £10 for both days & medal / pin
PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY 27th March 2026
https://rafwarma.org.uk/events/raf-2-day-march-2026
Waendel Weekend
Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Northants NN81XA
Sat 9th & Sun 10th May, m@0645et @0645 - 42k / 26 miles both days
Typically: travel up / down on Friday evening; stay in a budget hotel / camp at Grendon Lakes; out for dinner Saturday night; return home Sunday afternoon.
Most of us will be walking 2x 42km. Mixed terrain: roads, paths, pavements, towpath, footpaths across green fields; gravel tracks; cycle paths.
Multi-storey car-park nearby (charges apply); toilets and refreshments available at start and at each checkpoint.
Medals / pins for completion; souvenir merch available to buy. Entry £16 including medal / pin for both days
Prior Registration ADVISED; entry on day available
Book online until 6th May 2026
https://www.wellingboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/visitor-information/45th-international-waendel-walk-may-2026
Campsite
RAF Pathfinder March
RAF Wyton (Near Huntingdon, Cambs) PE28 2EA
Sat 6th Jun@0330**, meet** @0330**, - 46 miles / 72km - step off 0400, finish by 2359**
@0330Great training for the Dodentocht!
Annual march (or run!) to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices made by the Pathfinder Squadrons of WW2; passing through the villages of Godmanchester; GRAVELY; Papworth Everard; Elsworth; Childerley; Dry Drayton; Oakington; OAKINGTON AIRFIELD; Longstanton; Bluntisham; Colne; Somersham; Warboys; WARBOYS AIRFIELD and Kings Ripton.
Mixed terrain: roads, paths, pavements, towpath, footpaths across green fields; gravel tracks; forest tracks; former runways!
Free parking on camp; toilets and refreshments available at each checkpoint. Several shops along route. Fab pub at Warboys (near the end).
Medal & certificate for completion; (year specific) souvenir wicking t-shirts for all walkers
(From organisers: minimum age is 18 – but allowances have been made, if chaperoned by a parent or guardian)
Prior registration required
(Usually an early bird ticket av@Februaryilable from @February)
https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&even@February**_id=16200**
Plans TBC: typically travel up / down on Friday night; stay in a budget hotel Friday and Saturday night; return home Sunday morning after breakfast
Summer “Walk”
Richmond Railway Station, Richmond, Surrey
Sat 27th June, meet @ 0900 - approx 35k / 22miles
Just like the spring walk in April… but a bit longer and a bit warmer!
The Vierdaagse at Nijmegen, Netherlands
Tues 21st to Fri 24th July
A large group of us are participating with the BDWF - The British Dutch Walking Fellowship. Most of us, myself included will be travelling out on Saturday 18th July - then returning Saturday 25th.
The BDWF provide accommodation; meals; pre-walk foot taping service; three rest points daily, with refreshments and foot care (often next door to the BMC!); plus additional foot care each evening; a shuttle bus to transfer you between the accommodation and centre of town each morning and afternoon - and the accommodation has two bars!
Food is plentiful; I’ve never known the hot water to run out and did I mention it has two bars!
Accommodation is in a large sports hall, segregated male/female; metal frame bed with hospital style mattress and a fitted sheet - just bring a sleeping bag & pillow.
There’s even potentially travel available from UK to Nijmegen (subject to availability); with pick up points in Swindon, Reading and Clackett Lane MSA - plus channel crossing and onward travel to De Dennen.
The BDWF evolved out of a former social walking group for the employees of BT - and have been using De Dennen for nearly 40 years.
For anyone unfamiliar with the registration process for the Nijmegen March; if you have completed the NM within the past 10 years at your regulation distance (civvy or Mil) then you can register NOW - you will need your Walker Registration Number - if you have only completed on a Mil team, your team leader MAY have that information, otherwise you should contact the helpdesk - Forgot registration number – De 4Daagse using your email address that you would have given as part of your previous entry.
If you have not completed the NM within the last 10 years - you need to wait until the 2nd Registration Period - and hope that there are some tickets left… on Monday 9th Feb from 1000 CET (0900 UK). Unfortunately this year we are unable to register civvy teams that contain first timers during the first reg period, as we have been able to do previously! (Yes - we’re frustrated too!)
The Dodentocht
Bornem, Belgium
Friday 14th & Saturday 15th August - Full details TBA
The Dodentocht (Deathmarch) is 100km in Belgian town of Bornem, starting at 2100 on Friday – you have until 2130 on Saturday to finish. Training is ESSENTIAL. (We STRONGLY recommend doing either The Pathfinder or similar long distance event)
A group of us will be going; various travel options from lift shares; Eurostar / train to Bornem; fly to Brussels or Antwerp.
Hotels available at Brussels, Antwerp or elsewhere – or – join us camping at
https://www.campingdodentocht.be/en/welcome/
Travel out on Wednesday or Thursday; party on Thursday night at the campsite; Walk Friday in to Saturday; return home Sunday.
This is NOT a team event. We will typically start together, but split down into smaller groups walking at a similar pace as the walk goes on.
Prior registration essential. Tickets do sell out, but returned / unwanted tickets can often be acquired via official website until the day of the event.
https://www.dodentocht.be/en/hiker/registration
Registration opens 21st March 0900 CET (0800 UK)
Circuit of Bath
Date TBC - Likely to be Sunday 20th September 20 mile / 32k
Annual 20 mile walk around the outskirts of the Georgian City of Bath, in aid of Julian house a charity helping to support the homeless in Bath and throughout the South West. Walkers are encouraged to fundraise – but this is not essential; proceeds from your entry will be going to the charity.
The walk is split into a number of legs with checkpoints along the route; plenty of toilets and refreshments along the way, along with a number of pubs and cafes.
Mixed terrain: mostly paths, pavements with some footpaths across green fields; towpaths and tracks. Beware there are three “significant” hills.
Walkers that complete the whole walk receive a finishers medal.
https://circuitofbathwalk.co.uk/
This is a fab way to round off the season.
In previous years friends & members have travelled to Bath for the weekend to explore the city and beyond; going out on Saturday night for dinner.
For anyone unfamiliar with Bath - it sits in a bit of a bowl… a rather beautiful bowl… but a bowl with some steep sides. By starting / finishing at Newbridge Park & Ride BA1 3NB, we will get the two biggest hills of the walk out of the way early on.
The event is fully supported, with a support bus running constant loops between the checkpoints - and dogs are welcome… even on the support vehicle and in the pubs along the way!
IMPORTANT
Cadet Teams for Cosford, Waendel and Nijmegen should go via normal channels and are run as RAFAC events.
Pathfinder can be walked as individuals or as a team - walking the whole thing - or in a series of legs as a relay team - drop me a message if you want to ask any questions.
I’m happy to advise anyone considering the Circuit of Bath as a cadet event - but I will be walking as a civvy at all of the above - anyone wanting to join me is expected to be either over 18 - or to bring an appropriate adult with them. Anyone joining us will be responsible for their own travel / self rescue as needed - this isn’t the marines - we’re happy to leave people behind.
If you’re going to join us for either of the Richmond Walks, or wish to walk with us at any of the events - drop me a message so we know to expect you - and feel free to ask any questions.
For each event, there’s usually lift shares available amongst the group
(thank heavens for not having to type that lot on my phone!)
Forgot to include - Sandbach…
…and yes, we’ll be doing the RAFWARMA Winter Walk at Sandbach - date and arrangements TBC. Usually just drive up / down do the 30km route, a brief rehydration at The Fox Inn before going home!
