The Coast 2 Coast Challenge

About the Challenge
The Coast to Coast Challenge is a 1 or 2 day, 30mile walk, run by Mid Cornwall Scout District. The event usually has around 500 walkers taking part. We supply catering for the whole event so all you need is a tent and sleeping bag to stay the night. The challenge is carried out on footpaths and minor roads in Cornwall and usually runs from either the North to South coast, or vice versa. The event is supervised at checkpoints along the way, where we supply water and first aid treatment as necessary. We monitor each team along the way and give each team written instructions for the route.

When and Where? -

 

Can I enter?
If you are aged 10 to 100years of age you can take part in Coast 2 Coast.
Team size is 4 to 7 walkers and must be a member of the Scout or Guide association.
Walkers under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Who should you contact?
Contact Ben Powesland on email Coasttocoast.midcornwall@virgin.net or Telephone (07966) 690413

Timeline of Coast 2 Coast

1990: The first ever "Saints Way Challenge" takes place. It ran from the North coast of Cornwall to the South coast along the Saints Way, a route of approximately 30 miles. Although we are not sure exactly which years, the route would often alternate between walking from North to South, and South to North on successive years. The event was originally started as a fundraising idea for a local Venture Scout Unit.

1991: The second Saints Way Challenge

1992: The third Saints Way Challenge

1993: The fourth Saints Way Challenge

1994: The last Saints Way Challenge before it was re-christened Coast to Coast Challenge. This year the event was run by the 3rd St Austell Venture Scout Unit. And ran along the Saints Way route, starting in Padstow and finishing in Fowey.

1995: The first ever Coast 2 Coast, and first with evidence of using the actual name.

1996: “The Third Challenge”, Morgan Porth to Gribben Head

1997: Coast 2 Coast runs from Port Issac to Par

1998: Coast 2 Coast runs from Portreath to Porscatho, camping at Philleigh near the Roseland peninsula.

1999: The un-official 10-year anniversary of Coast 2 Coast. Delabole Quarry to Polperro stopping over near to Boconnoc House, outside of Lanlivery.

2000: The first Coast 2 Coast of the new millennium is cancelled due to the nation wide outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease, which closes off all footpaths and much farmland.

2001: Coast 2 Coast returns, held in September after the countryside is re-opened to the public. The route went from Padstow to Fowey, following much of the Saints Way. The overnight stop was near Lanlivery.

2002: The year of the Queen’s Golden jubilee is reflected by this year’s badge. The route runs from St Mawgan Porth to Portholland, camping over at 1st Sticker HQ.

2003: Coast 2 Coast runs from Perranporth to Trelissick Gardens, camping over at Tomperrow.

2004: The first square badge in nearly a decade, and the 10th anniversary of the Coast 2 Coast Challenge. The route runs from Padstow to Pentewan, camping over at the new district campsite, Drummer's Lodge, in Scredda. Despite some truly terrible weather on Saturday night many walkers go on to complete the walk during Sunday in glorious sunshine.

2005: Coast 2 Coast runs from the South to the North coast for the first time in many years, starting at Fowey and finishing at Padstow, camping overnight at Nine Ashes. This year’s route followed much of the original Saints Way route and a stretch of the Camel Trail. Miserable weather on day 2 after perfect conditions of day 1 fails to dampen the spirits of the walkers.

2006: A weekend of fantastic weather sees 9 teams complete the event in just one day. Running from Mawgan Porth to Charlestown and camping over at 1st Sticker HQ, this is a record-breaking year with the Challenge being fully-booked! Although this is one of the muddiest ever Coast 2 Coasts, 73 teams manage to complete the walk.

2007: A special event marking the Centenary year of the Scout Movement. To celebrate, Mid Cornwall District combines the Cubs Figure 8 walk and the Coast 2 Coast Challenge to present the one-off Mid Cornwall Centenary Challenge. Based around the campsite at St Austell Rugby Club, the event features different walks for the sections: a one day route for the Beavers, a 2 day 2 loop walk for the Cubs and for Scout age and above, a 25 mile loop on day 1 (passing through Par, Lanlivery and the clay trails) and following the Cub route from day 1. The event is a huge success with over 1000 involved making it a memorable weekend for all involved.

Around 700 members from various sections took part in another very successful Mid Cornwall Coast 2 Coast Challenge, which this year saw the addition of a new event.
As well as walkers taking part from the Scouts, Explorers, Network and Fellowship sections in the long trek; the Beavers took part in their own 4 mile route on the Roseland peninsula.
With the Coast 2 Coast Challenge this year covering 32 miles from Portreath on the North to Portscatho on the South, walkers certainly had a big task in completing the distance, which is one of the longest in the event’s history.
Those taking part benefited from a weekend of almost faultless weather, not counting the heavy but fleeting Sunday morning downpours, which failed to dampen the spirits of the walkers.
Starting on the North coast at Portreath Surf Club, participants snaked through varying landscapes of countryside footpaths, flat cycle trails and some tough uphill slogs along coast paths, with a crossing on the King Harry Ferry thrown in this year too, before the finish point overlooking Portscatho and a spectacular panoramic sea-view.
Beaver Scouts had their own 4 mile walk through woods near Philleigh on Saturday, completing fun activities like putting up tents, making peg people and toasting marshmallows on checkpoints dotted along their route. This was an enjoyable event which may well see a return in future years.
Although some walkers from the 2 day challenge suffered from sore feet and blisters, aid was at hand back on the campsite at Philleigh, with first aiders and podiatrists providing care, and the hard-working catering team serving up tasty meals, fuelling the participants for their hard walk.
Congratulations go out to all who took part in both events over the weekend for all of your efforts, and huge thanks go to everybody who helped out for making the events a massive success. Hope to see you all again next year. For further picture and details - Click Here