Victory in Cyprus: The Walkdown
The beautiful Med – 26 miles in the distance.
You can’t imagine how good this felt!
The Walkdown is a marathon distance orienteering race in Cyprus organized by the JSSU ( British Army’s Joint Service Signal Organization). Starting at the highest point on the island, Mount Olympus (6000ft), it finishes at sea level in Episkopi Garrison, home of British Forces Cyprus HQ.
The distance from start to finish by track/road/bondu is approximately 25 miles (if you know the way!), however there is no fixed route just four checkpoints that each team must pass through. Participants spend months ahead of time scouting routes down scree slopes and through vineyards and dried stream beds. Fancy dress (costumes) are encouraged and much thought is involved with team themes etc.
I, Mrs DW (Mr DW was a way and will never live it down), managed to turn the 40k/25 miles into 43k/27 miles due to some creative “short cuts” and finished in 8hrs 11mins. I rewarded myself with a dip in the Med afterward and was rewarded by the cool soothing waters and a gorgeous sunset.
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- Fancy dress is encouraged.
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- The beautiful Med – 26 miles in the distance.
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- Checking in.
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- It wasn’t all downhill.
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- Up we go.
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- Down we go.
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- Praying for the end.
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- The Med is in sight.
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- You can’t imagine how good this felt!
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- The big reward.
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Victory.”
What a fabulous event; high-energy hijinks!
It was so crazy fun. I don’t think I could run (walk-let’s be real) a marathon on a paved route. This kept you so engaged and focused on trying to get from the mountain top to the sea that scrambling over walls and through valleys and around donkeys that it ALMOST took your mind off the tiredness…
NZ must have some kind of equivalent – Mt Taranaki to the sea? Or is it just those wimpy Ironman events ;-)….
I guess there must be! I have a friend who is really into orienteering, and when I read your post I thought he would just love that event for the sheer fun of it.
I highly recommend it – it takes place every year in October. Mr DW and I joke when we’re back in Whakatane that we could do a swim in from Whale Island, a run to Kawerau, then a quick trot up Mt Edgecombe. Then we laugh and laugh and have another ginger crunch.
Oh, that really puts into perspective. Pass the ginger crunch!
Fantastic!
Thank you, Donna!
What a great time that must have been, especially when you reached the end! Good for all of you!!
janet
It was, and it felt so good when it was over! Thanks, Janet!
What a great experience! your photos say it all.
Thank you – I tried to capture the adventurous “quirky” off-road atmosphere of it all.
How interesting this is. Thanks for selecting this event and sharing.
Thanks for visiting – it truly is a one-of-a-kind event!
Nice…and beautiful sunset images.
Thank you!
You’re very welcome.
What a great reward! Loving that sunset …
The icing on the cake!
More fun than huffing and puffing up First Ave!
Yes, although the walking participants moved at about the same New York “get outta my way” pace…
Wow- what a sense of accomplishment. Well done and terrific images.
Thank you so much, Jane – and thanks for visiting!