This was the first time I have taken part in the Durham Dales Challenge event. This event set new standards of organisation that many other events would do well to copy. From the start walkers had to display their navigation skills. No starting point was sent to the entrants who had to find the start by consulting last year's Strider. I was pleased to see that no superfluous direction signs defaced lamp posts in the vicinity of Wolsingham School, in comparison with other events who cover the surrounding area. The frequently experienced hold-ups caused by officious car park marshals was avoided on this event by giving each entrant their own car park. I had so much room for my car that I was able to leave my car door completely open while I was putting my boots on and getting my kit ready The lack of a kit check and staggered start, with each walker allowed to choose their own start time, successfully reduced the normal congestion at gates and stiles before the first checkpoint. No long queues and delays on this event! One warning here for the organisers though - I walked much faster than usual and I reached every checkpoint before their official opening times. I expect opening times will be advanced in 2002. The path was well flagged after checkpoint 2. In contrast to the brightly coloured and intrusive flags I have followed on some events, these flags merged into the countryside and it was almost as if they had been left out since the event in 2000. I was disappointed to miss the reputed excellent home baked cakes and snacks at the checkpoints but I was determined to catch the walkers who had started in front of me and I did not wait for the marshals to arrive. I concluded that all the runners on the event had taken advantage of the staggered start by choosing the earliest start times because, try as I might, I saw no one in front of me all day. The policy of walkers paying what they feel the event is worth is an excellent innovation. I did not have to pay for food which I cannot eat because of various allergies, and I did not have to pay for yet another badge and certificate which would only have gone to the back of the drawer. I confess that I was in such a hurry to get home at the finish, and the organisers were so obviously busy rustling up pies in the kitchen, that I put £2 in an envelope with my finishing time and name and left it in the school hall. I look forward to receiving the results sheet, because I think I will be well up the field on this event. All in all the organisers can take credit for a well organised and innovative event, which clearly required very few helpers to put on.
P BLAKENEY.