September 2024
- 21st September – Open for entries from those with guaranteed TGOC25 places (e.g. vetters and volunteers, those planning their 10th or 20th crossings) and their walking partners.
All those entitled to guaranteed places will receive an invite by email with a link to the entry form – team members can also apply using this link. If you don’t receive yours please contact the Coordinators at tgochallenge@gmail.com. Guaranteed places need to be claimed before the general entries opening date Entries fees (where applicable) will be requested at the time of entry.
October 2024
- 5th October at noon (BST) – for all other entries on first-come-first-served basis.
Entries fees will be requested at the time of entry. For teams – once the first team member enters places will be held for other named team members for up to 2 days. First time Challengers will be asked for details of past backpacking experience. Anyone who is declined by the Coordinators will be promptly and fully refunded.
Last chance for a full refund:
- 31st October or 2 weeks after your entry date whichever is the later. (After this an admin fee will be deducted until the reserve list closes in December.)
Once the 400 paid places are taken any further applicants will be offered a reserve list place and not asked to pay unless a place has become available.
November 2024
- 1st November – the earliest day you can submit your route. Please don’t send it any earlier!
December 2024
What better way to spend winter evenings than plotting your route? There is plenty of advice in the Event Details and the coordinators, vetters and Challenge community are on hand to help or advise. Routes can be submitted for vetting at any time – no need to wait for your deadline!
- 14th December – reserve list closes. After this point anyone who withdraws will not be replaced and entry fees cannot be refunded or places deferred. Anyone left on the reserve list will be offered a guaranteed place in 2026 or whenever they next apply.
January 2025
If you haven’t submitted your route yet it’s definitely time to unfurl some maps!
- 17th January – Deadline for route submission if you, or anyone in your group, have completed 5 or more crossings.
February 2025
Only a couple of weeks left to finalise your route!
- 10th February – Deadline if you, or the most experienced member of your group, have completed 1-4 crossings.
- 25th February – Deadline if you and the rest of your group have never completed a Challenge crossing.
March 2025
Time to head out with your tent and get some practice in for the TGO Challenge, finalise any booked accommodation on your route and update your route sheet with their details.
April 2025
Final preparations – time to check your gear.
- Early April – The Event’s Final Details, giving up to date information including details of how to sign in and out of the Event and contact details for Challenge Control will be issued by email. You will be required to give details of your mobile phone number, phone provider, emergency contacts and any medical conditions and asked to give links to any tracker/PLB device you choose to carry on your crossing.
May 2025
The adventure begins! Time to travel to your chosen West Coast start point and start walking. After reaching the coast between Fraserburgh and Montrose you to Montrose (motorised travel now allowed) where Challenge Control will be ready to greet you with a certificate and a T-shirt.
- 8th and 9th May – If you have chosen either of these dates as your start day you have 15 days for your crossing.
- 10th-14th May – You may start later but will have a shorter time to cross.
- 22nd May – Those starting on 8th May must finish and sign out at the Park Hotel, Montrose by 5pm.
- 23rd May – For everyone else Challenge Control closes promptly at 5pm so don’t linger too long on the beach!
- 20th-23rd May – Celebratory dinners will be held each evening in The Park Hotel. These can be booked when you submit your route. Plaques will be presented to those on their 10th and 20th crossings.
June 2025
Tell us about your experience. If you write a blog or put together a photo or video diary send it to the coordinators at tgochallenge@gmail.com and we will add it to our blog roll. Francesca Donovan, editor of The Great Outdoors magazine, is usually looking for photos or accounts for the November issue which features the TGO Challenge. Then it’s time to think about your route for 2025!