Join an amazing community of people in April 2023 to take on one of our thirty sections that make up the entire length of the famous and scenic Thames Path.
The Thames Path is an 184-mile footpath that follows the River Thames from its source in the Cotswolds, all the way to the Thames Barrier in southeast London. For one weekend in April 2023, we’re planning to gather a community of walkers, runners, rowers, cyclists and even paddleboarders to cover the whole distance.
The event is the brainchild of MDUK supporter, Andy Davies, who has limb girdle muscular dystrophy. His original plan was to walk the whole route himself, but as the COVID pandemic and lockdown put a pause on his plans, his condition has deteriorated and he’s calling on you to help him bring this community challenge to life.
Having always loved trekking and walking, when I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2019, I thought what flat trail could I still do, to raise awareness and funds for muscular dystrophy? The Thames Path was the obvious answer. However, along came COVID-19 and muscular deterioration, and I had to think again. So I thought “how about trying to get fellow people with muscular dystrophy, friends, family and others, out on the path? “ The idea was born.
How does it work?
You can Walk, wheel, run, hop, cycle, paddle! You can complete your challenge along the Thames Path your way and choose your distance.
Andy has split the Thames Path into 30 sections of between four and ten-and-a-half miles, and graded each section for its accessibility in a traffic light system:
- red – difficult terrain, possibility of mud, off-road, lots of steps
- amber – generally good footpath, with a few steps to navigate
- green – completely flat, wheelchair-accessible.
(See below for more information about each piece of the route.)
The event will take place over the two days:
- on the Saturday (15 April) the first 25 sections, from the source as far as Kew Bridge will take place. You’ll all set off between 10 and 11 am, walking at your own pace but all walking the Thames Path at the same time
- on the Sunday (16 April), those taking on the last five sections between Kew Bridge and the Thames Barrier, will set off in a staggered start. This will give you the option to cover all five sections – 26 miles in total – if you wish.
And then everyone is welcome at the finishers’ party at the Thames Barrier, at a time to be confirmed.
There’s also the option to take on the challenge virtually if you’d prefer.
Who can take part?
Anyone can sign up and come along. Andy is hoping to make this a real community event. Everyone is welcome to come and join the event and to fundraise or donate if they would like
Andy hopes that on every one of the 30 stages there will be least one person living with a muscle-wasting condition present, and that they will act as a Muscular Dystrophy Champion. If you would like to nominate yourself as a Muscular Dystrophy Champion please let us know on your registration form.
What will you get when you sign up?
- A recce sheet, with a summary of all the terrain and obstacles along the section of the path you sign up for.
- A designated Stage Champion, who will be your contact and on-the-day co-ordinator.
- A Thames Source to Sea Community Challenge T-shirt for each Muscular Dystrophy Champion, with the option to buy one for all other participants.
- Support from the MDUK fundraising team to help you raise as much as possible.
- The chance to be part of an amazing community event, raising awareness and funds to help beat muscle-wasting conditions!
How do I sign up?
- Read the section descriptions and notes below to find the one that best suits you. (Please note, you can take part in more than one section on the Saturday, but they should be continuous, and we cannot guarantee the later Stage Champions will still be there when you finish. Just write in the notes which sections you will be doing.)
- Fill in the application form.
- Start fundraising - your JustGiving fundraising page will be ready and waiting for you.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch with Regional Development Manager Connal – c.kelleher@musculardystrophyuk.org or 07771 374843
The Thames Path in sections
Day 1 – Saturday 15 April 2023
All Saturday stages start at 10am
1 Source to Ashton Keynes – 4.75 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 1 - The Source to Ashton Keynes (osmaps.com)
2 Ashton Keynes to Cricklade – 7 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 2 - Ashton Keynes to Cricklade (osmaps.com)
3 Cricklade to Castle Eaton – 4.3 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 3 - Cricklade to Castle Eaton (osmaps.com)
4 Castle Eaton to Lechlade – 6.7 miles - RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 4 - Castle Eaton to Lechlade (osmaps.com)
5 Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge – 10.5 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 5 - Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge (osmaps.com)
6 Tadpole Bridge to Newbridge – 6 – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 6 - Tadpole Bridge to Newbridge (osmaps.com)
7 Newbridge to Swinford Bridge – 7.8 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 7 - Newbridge to Swinford Bridge (osmaps.com)
8 Swinford Bridge to Oxford – 6.2 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 8 - Swinford Bridge to Oxford (osmaps.com)
9 Oxford to Radley – 6 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 9 - Oxford to Radley (osmaps.com)
10 Radley to Culham – 6 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 10 - Radley to Culham (osmaps.com)
11 Culham to Little Wittenham – 5 miles – ORANGE
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 11 - Culham to Little Wittenham (osmaps.com)
12 Little Wittenham to Wallingford – 6 miles - ORANGE
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 12 - Little Wittenham to Wallingford (osmaps.com)
13 Wallingford to Goring – 7.3 miles – ORANGE
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 13 - Wallingford to Goring (osmaps.com)
14 Goring to Pangbourne – 5 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 13 - Wallingford to Goring (osmaps.com)
15 Pangbourne to Reading – 6.75 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 15 - Pangbourne to Reading (osmaps.com)
16 Reading to Henley – 8.75 miles – ORANGE
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 16 - Reading to Henley (osmaps.com)
17 Henley to Marlow – 8.5 miles – ORANGE
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 17 - Henley to Marlow (osmaps.com)
18 Marlow to Cookham– 4.5 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 18 - Marlow to Cookham (osmaps.com)
19 Cookham to Maidenhead – 3.25 miles – GREEN
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 19 - Cookham to Maidenhead (osmaps.com)
20 Maidenhead to Windsor – 6.5 miles – GREEN
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 20 - Maidenhead to Windsor (osmaps.com)
21 Windsor to Staines – 8.5 miles – RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 21 - Windsor to Staines (osmaps.com)
22 Staines to Shepperton – 5.5 miles – ORANGE
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 22 - Staines to Shepperton (osmaps.com)
23 Shepperton to Hampton Court – 6.25 miles – ORANGE
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 23 - Shepperton to Hampton Court (osmaps.com)
24 Hampton Court to Teddington – 5 miles – GREEN
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 24 - Hampton Court Bridge to Teddington Lock (osmaps.com)
25 Teddington to Kew Bridge – 6.5 miles - RED
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 25 - Teddington Lock to Kew Bridge (osmaps.com)
Day 2 – Sunday 16 April 2023
26 Kew Bridge to Putney Bridge – 5.75 miles – GREEN
Starts at 10am
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 26 - Kew Bridge to Putney Bridge (osmaps.com)
27 Putney Bridge to Vauxhall Bridge – 6 miles – GREEN
Starts at 10am
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 27 - Putney Bridge to Vauxhall Bridge (osmaps.com)
28 Vauxhall Bridge to Rotherhithe – 6.75 miles – GREEN
Starts at 10am
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 28 - Vauxhall Bridge to Rotherhithe (osmaps.com)
29 Rotherhithe to Greenwich Tunnel – 4.5 miles – ORANGE
Starts at 1pm
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 29 - Rotherhithe to Greenwich Tunnel (osmaps.com)
30 Greenwich Tunnel to Thames Barrier – 4.25 miles - GREEN
Starts at 2pm
Muscular Dystrophy UK Thames Source to Sea 30 - Greenwich Tunnel to Thames Barrier (osmaps.com)
- Red – difficult terrain, possibility of mud, off-road, lots of steps.
- Amber – generally good footpath, with a few steps to navigate.
- Green – completely flat, wheelchair-accessible.
The Virtual Thames Path Source to Sea Community Challenge
For those that can't come along on the day we have teamed up with a virtual challenge platform to bring the Thames Path to you. Take part in just one or multiple sections with mile markers, photos and information points along the way making you feel like you're really there. It's £17 to sign up which includes a £10 donation to the charity
Sign up for the virtual challenge
The 184 Challenge
Inspired by the 184-mile distance of the Thames Source to Sea Community Challenge; the 184 Challenge invites participants to create and complete a challenge based upon the numbers, 1, 8 + 4. The challenge can take place any time from 1 February 2022 to 14 April 2023. The challenge will raise money for MDUK and increase the awareness of the condition.
Here are some 184 challenges that have been suggested:
- sell 184 of something such as cup cakes
- 184 minutes of knitting; dancing; singing etc
- not cutting your hair/beard for 184 consecutive days
- 18.4 mile/km run, cycle, wheelchair or walk
- 184 consecutive days of a challenge - this could be different challenges every day or a specific exercise, abstaining from alcohol or no meat.
- walking 184 times round your garden/lounge (whatever is a real challenge)
- 184 mile/km walk, run, cycle
- 184 dips into the sea
- 184 minute run
- raise 184 pounds anyway you can!
To take part in the 184 challenge just choose your challenge, follow the registration link and set up your Just Giving fundraising page by clicking start fundraising.
A huge thank you to OS Maps for their support
