Find the question below that you wish to ask and click the question to get the answer. If you can't find the question in the FAQ's you can contact us using the contact form.
- Q: How does it work?
Basically, you and five other walkers will start at midnight and walk 40 miles. Every 5 miles or so, you will be met by your ‘support drivers’ who will give you provisions etc. You score points for every check point you pass. The team with the most points wins the coveted PhotoPLOD Winners Staff.
- Q: How fit do I need to be?
You will need to have trained and established a good level of fitness for the PhotoPLOD. The more you have physically prepared yourself, the more enjoyment you will get out of the challenge – we would suggest you need to be able to walk 25 miles in the week up to the event without too much difficulty
- Q: Do I need to have taken part in a big walking event before?
No, we encourage plodders of all abilities and for many the PhotoPLOD will be the first time they have taken part in a 40 mile walk.
- Q: Do I need to be a member of a walking club?
No. Anyone can take part.
- Q: Do I need insurance?
Action Medical Research has Public Liability insurance. However, you may wish to ensure your possessions are insured since your belongings are your own responsibility.
- Q: Can family and friends come along to support me?
We encourage family and friends to come along to the finish to welcome the walker’s home. You can find us from 8am at the Birling Gap car park although most Plodders cross the finish line from 12 noon onwards.
- Q: Will food be available?
Please ensure that your support vehicle has all the provisions your team will need for the duration of the Plod. We will provide a hot breakfast en route at Checkpoint 4.
- Q: Do I need to tell you if I have special dietary requirements or if I am vegan/vegetarian?
We can accommodate vegetarians/vegans but food allergies etc you will need to let us know.
- Q: What is included?
Full Walker / Driver instructions, marshals along the route, a hot breakfast, a finishing line welcome-home committee with a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate your achievement, a PhotoPLOD medal and Gala dinner (optional).
- Q: Do I need to bring any special equipment?
Be prepared for all weather! A kit list will be provided upon registration.
- Q: Is the PhotoPLOD signposted/marshalled?
Yes, it is signposted where necessary otherwise you are following the South Downs Way. Check points will be marshalled and you will be given Walker / Driver instructions.
- Q: How many people should be in my team?
You will need a team of six ‘scoring walkers’ who accrue points in a bid to win the much converted Winner’s Staff. You can have more non-scoring walkers on your team but six is the minimum. You will also need 1 or 2 support drivers with a vehicle full of all the supplies you will need to complete this challenge.
- Q: When do I decide who are my six ‘scoring walkers’?
If there are more than six walkers to team, Captains must have nominated their six ‘point scoring’ walkers beforehand to the Organisers. No substitutes are allowed once the walk has started.
- Q: What happens if we have an accident along the way?
Emergency procedures along with contact details are included in your PhotoPLOD pack. For most non serious ailments your support driver should have provisions (sunburn, blisters etc), and for serious injury or accidents, you will need to contact 999. RAYNET are at each checkpoint and can contact the emergency services from there. You must always make the nearest checkpoint marshal aware of the situation.
- Q: What support will there be on the route?
Your support vehicle, marshals, Raynet communication services, First Aid and an event organiser.
- Q: Where can I view the route?
You can view the map on Google Earth and you can find this on our event home page (coming shortly).
- Q: Will I receive a map/route card?
We will provide you with Walkers / Drivers instructions a week before the event and this only includes basic maps so you may wish to invest in a map of the South Downs Way – the walk itself is contained in two Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps – No 122 and 123.
- Q: How many checkpoints are there?
There are 10 checkpoints – these will open at pre-specified times so if you are running you will miss the checkpoint marshals and will not accrue the necessary points.
- Q: How do I contact the organiser if I have a problem on the route?
You will be given a mobile number on the day for the event organiser. All walkers are encouraged to carry a mobile phone and in the first instance please contact your support driver.
- Q: What happens if I get lost?
In the first instance, make sure you are on the South Downs Way and you should find the PhotoPLOD route however you can also contact the Event Organiser or your support crew, and they will direct you back on route.
- Q: How long do I have to complete the PhotoPLOD?
The Plod starts at midnight and we expect all teams to be finished by 5pm. This gives you up to 17 hours to complete a 40 mile course.
- Q: What happens if I can’t complete the distance?
You can opt to stop at any time. Your support driver can let the organiser know.
- Q: When will I receive details of the PhotoPLOD?
Once you have registered your team via the website, we will then send you regular updates. Please advise us if you wish to stay for the Gala Dinner in Eastbourne.
- Q: Is the PhotoPLOD timed?
Yes but the aim is to accrue as many points as possible – remember this is a walk, not a run!
- Q: Are there any rules that I need to adhere to?
The rules are laid out in the Walker / Driver instructions but basically you will need to stay on the South Downs Way unless advised otherwise.
- Q: If I haven’t pre-registered can I still turn up and enter on the day?
It is not possible to turn up on the day – please contact the Events organiser if you wish to register.
- Q: What happens if I can’t attend but I’ve paid to enter?
If you advise us that you cannot attend and wish to receive a refund we can arrange this however refunds will not be given after 21st May 2010.
- Q: How much money do I need to raise in sponsorship?
You and your team need to commit to raising a minimum of £1,000. Captains must remember to hand in their team’s sponsorship pledge form at the start as this is worth 100 points.
- Q: When do I have to pay my sponsorship money?
Ideally you can bring your sponsorship money with you on the day, or fundraise using our on-line sponsorship account. We ask that all monies are sent to us no later than 8 weeks following the event.
- Q: How does AMR benefit?
The funds you raise for this event will go directly to help the lives of many children and their families through our pioneering research projects. Check out www.action.org.uk to find out more about how our money is spent.
- Q: Is there parking at the start point?
If you need to park your car at the start please use Steyning High Street and do not park at the Steyning Leisure Centre car park.
- Q: Are there changing facilities at the start?
There are toilets at the start which can be used for changing although these will close at 10pm. There will also be Portaloos at the start.
- Q: Can I leave my belongings at the start?
We recommend you either lock your valuables in your car, or carry them with you.
- Q: What time do I need to be at the start point?
Every team Captain must check-in between 9.30pm – 11pm.
- Q: What time will the PhotoPLOD start?
The PhotoPLOD will start at midnight.
- Q: Is there somewhere nearby that we can wait until midnight?
Once registered, you can enjoy a few drinks before closing time at the Star Inn which is just a short stroll away. Please be considerate about noise levels as Steyning is a very small village and the residents do not want to be disturbed or woken by our walk!
- Q: Are there toilets on the route?
Yes, there are some WC’s along the route. Also at breakfast.
- Q: Are there showers and changing at the finish area?
No, there are no showers at the finish. You can change using the toilets on site.
- Q: Is there food and drink available at the finish?
You can buy some lunch and a drink at the end of the walk at the Birling Gap Hotel.
- Q: Where will the Gala dinner be held?
We will be holding the Gala dinner at the Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne – this is the same venue as last year. The delicious 3-course dinner will take place in the stunning Marine dining room which looks out over the sea front and there will be a presentation to the winners during the evening.
- Q: Can we stay in the hotel overnight?
We have secured a number of rooms at the Cavendish, please advise the Events Organiser if you wish to attend the dinner and stay over-night. The cost of dinner, bed and breakfast at the Cavendish is £80.