Team SoleMates, part of the wider Grimsdyke Walking Group in North London, took part in the Ultra Challenge 106km (66 miles) walk in the Isle of Wight, over the Bank holiday weekend 29-30 April 2023.
"The challenge was gruelling with demanding energy’; said Kalpana Pardivalla, one of the team organisers; with some walking through the night.
Ajay Chauhan and Rashmi Patel well-paced walkers completed it in 24 hours, whilst others completed it over 2 days.
The route had all types of terrain being walked through, including hills, flat land, coastal paths as well as footpaths etc. They were blessed with great weather and a good crowd, greeting the many thousands of other walkers, runners & hikers along the way. SoulMates were fortunate to be able to take part in these challenges as Rashmi Patel the current route coordinator of the Grymsdyke Walking Group and SoleMates team member, said, “We as a team regularly train to ensure our fitness levels are maintained, including long walks’.
Sanjay Rughani added, “By meeting regularly, it helps support team spirit, building an atmosphere of lasting relationships, camaraderie, and human experience both for fitness levels and social banter.”
This year the team decided to support a charity 3Food4U which are heavily supported by the Lions Club of London Seven Kings, where Sanjay Rughani is a member, and the club was instrumental in helping to set it up.
The Charity offers free groceries, clothes and essentials without assessment or referral to anyone that needs it, as well as other services.
Sanjay said, ‘They need long life food donations, especially in these difficult times, faced by many families, thus we as a team felt it was important to help’. The target they have set is £10,000 and above, of which £7,000 has been received.
The team were joined by other walkers from the Grimsdyke group doing between 25-50km with the youngest, Veer Thakrar being 13-year-old and his 15-year-old sister Diya Thakrar, both finishing the 25kms having taken part for the first time!
SoleMates and Grimsdyke Walking Group have taken part in previous challenges including several 50km challenges, as well as climbing the National 3 Peaks and continue to do so.
