1st Adderbury’s
second team contained Jon Evans (14), Howard White (14), Luke Garrett (14) and Adam Source
(13), who completed the course in ten hours and seventeen minutes, winning the novice
section. In addition they came third in the main competition and so collected two
trophies.
The Cyril Gardner Memorial Hike, which is organised by the Oxford Scout
organisation, sees youngsters walking a testing cross country course, from Oxford, through
Beckley, around Otmoor, through Piddington and Brill, across to Worminghall and back to
Oxford. Entries are taken from around the country, with this year’s competition
welcoming teams based as far away as Bridgwater and Plymouth. The competition is not only
open to Scouts, with teams of sea cadets also participating.
Conditions for the walk were atrocious, with strong winds, low
temperatures and rain throughout. The route had to be amended at the last minute due to
flooding on Otmoor. Most places were extremely muddy.
Out of 54 Scouts teams of four entering
the competition, only 10 complete teams finished the course.
Scout Leader Andy Green is delighted with his Scouts’ performance.
He said, "Our lads were determined to do well in this competition, having spent
several weeks practising.
"On the day the weather conditions were awful and the thick mud
took its toll on most of the entrants. The only time the mud disappeared was when it gave
way to knee high water. Both our teams just kept battling ahead though, and in a show of
defiance against the elements even ran the final home straight.
"Most people would find it difficult to walk more than ten miles.
To complete an endurance walk of 35 miles, in such impressive times and such appalling
conditions, says something of the calibre of these lads."
