Tour of duty for charity

After two years off, the 46-year-old trek across three counties will return on Saturday, December 1, and Sunday, December 2.

Top times for the cross-country hike are 13 to 14 hours while the three-person teams are allowed a maximum of 24 hours to complete the challenge.

Teams set off from 10am from Warriner School, Bloxham, and many return in the dead of night, with the drop out rate sometimes hitting 80 per cent.

The 2010 event was cancelled over fears of severe frost while red tape, including criminal records bureau checks, saw last year’s event axed.

Organiser Ron Sangster said: “It is mainly at night so it’s mostly a stamina exercise. It is very tough, it’s one of the toughest hikes in the country.”

Entrants are encouraged to get sponsorship for a charity of their choice.

Financial support has this year been provided by the Rotary Club of Banbury and Banbury Charities, which gives cash to town causes.

Mr Sangster said he would be too busy on the day to take part but, having competed in the inaugural 1966 event, he has earned his Tour De Trigs stripes.

He said: “I was 16 or 17. It was tough and there wasn’t all the organisation to support it.

“It was a case of one person looking after first aid. It was a case of putting 2p coins in telephone boxes to call off road vehicles with rescue teams.”

A 30-mile junior course for 14 to 18-year-olds will run alongside the main walk. The route is kept secret until the day to test walkers’ navigational skills.

Medics and support staff are posted around the Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire route.

Jeremy Wilton, 48, of Marlborough Road, Banbury, took part for the first time in 2009 and said it was “hard work”.

He said: “It is physically quite hard but mentally tougher. It gets to 4am and all you are thinking about is getting to the next rest station and having a sit down and a cup of tea.”

Details of how to enter will be announced at tourdetrigs.org.uk