Three Towers Hike

infobox WorldScouting
type = event
name = Three Towers Hike
location = Berkshire/Oxfordshire
country = England
f-date = 1978- The Three Towers Hike is a downland hiking competition held annually (usually the third weekend in March, but sometimes as later as April) covering footpaths in West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. It is organised by Reading Central District Scouts with the support of Taceham Hundred District Scouts from the Scout County of Royal Berksire of the the Scout Association. It is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoors.

It is a competitive event, without an overnight camp (although teams must be equipped to bivouac if the conditions are severe enough to warrant it). It was first held as a senior event (Walkers over the age of 18) but now includes two other age groups.

History

The first Three Towers Hike took place during the 1970s, when only the Senior event was available. Originally based around the North and West of Reading, the hike gets its name from the three large water towers that were passed.

In the 1980s the route was significantly altered to include more rural paths in West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire.

Since its beginning, the Hike has run every year with few exceptions. The most notable being in 2003 due to Foot and Mouth concerns.

Events

The Hike is now composed of 3 different events, each of different lengths and following a slightly different route.

Classic Event

This is the founding event, open to entries ages 15½ or older. The total length of the Classic Event is 70km (43-45 miles) depending on route taken.

Explorer Event

Following the popularity of the Scout Event, in 2003 the Explorer Event was added. This Event is open to any Explorer Scout or Ranger Guide aged at least 13½ but under 18 years. The Explorer Event covers a distance of 45km, or around 28 miles.

Scout Event

The Scout Event was introduced in the 1990s for scouts aged up to 16 years (later reduced to 14). The Scout Event covers a distance of 25km or about 15 miles.

Event Records

Trivia

Officially not against the hike rules at the time, one team on the 2003 Explorer Event swam across the river Thames during the race after finding themselves several miles up stream of the nearest bridge. The team then went on to complete the event but were later disqualified and a new hike rule was added to prohibit this in future.

See also

* Scouting
* Ten Tors
* Four Inns Walk

References

External links

* [http://www.hike.org.uk/home.shtml Three Towers Hike official website]
* [http://www.berkshirescouts.org.uk/districts/central/index.html Berkshire Scouts homepage]
* [http://www.readingscouts.org.uk/ Reading Central Scout District]
* [http://www.tacehamhundred.org.uk/ Taceham Hundred Scout District]
* [http://www.cotswold-outdoor.com/ Cotswold Outdoor, Hike Sponsors]
* [http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ Long Distance Walking Association]