D-Day 44 Challenge | 22-Mile Walk

Example timetable

Thursday

• 06:00 | Registration at Green Line Coach Station, London Victoria
• 06:30 | Coach departs London
• 09:00 | Arrive at Eurotunnel for 10:50 crossing
• 12:20 | Arrival in Calais and transfer to Caen
• 18:00 | Arrival and check-in at accommodation (Camping Hautes Coutures, Bénouville)
• 19:00 | Dinner and event briefing

Friday

• 05:00 | Transfer departs for 44-mile runners
• 05:45 | Arrival at start – 44-mile event begins
• 06:45 | 22-mile participants meet
• 07:00 | Transfer departs for 22-mile event (run and walk)
• 07:45 | Arrival at start – 22-mile walk begins
• 09:30 | 22-mile run begins (includes historian talk)
• 16:00–18:00 | Event finishes

Saturday

• 08:00 | Breakfast
• 09:00 | Coach departs for tour
• 19:00 | Group dinner at campsite

Sunday

• 07:00 | Breakfast and check out
• 07:30 | Depart
• 18:30 | Estimated arrival at London Victoria

A challenge you won't forget!

• 22-mile participants join the route at Arromanches
• Continue across Juno and Sword beaches at sea level
• Take in views of the remains of the Mulberry Harbours
• These floating harbours enabled over 19 million tonnes of supplies to be unloaded

The final section heads inland towards Ouistreham and Pegasus Bridge.

• Follow the route to Ouistreham before turning along the Orne Canal
• Approach Pegasus Bridge, a key objective in the early hours of D-Day
• Site of a daring glider assault by airborne troops landing just metres away
• Led by Lieutenant Brotheridge, troops captured the bridge despite heavy fire
• Brotheridge became the first Allied casualty of D-Day

Finish at Pegasus Bridge.

• Celebrate with a well-earned drink and food
• Overnight accommodation is a short distance from the finish line

Cut offs

• 22 mile run | 7.5 hours
• 22 mile walk | 8.5 hours

Event HQ

Pointe du Hoc
Grandcamp-Maisy
France

Pointe du Hoc start

The route starts at the Pointe du Hoc.

This is where Colonel Rudder led an elite group of 200 rangers up the chalk cliffs using ropes and ladders. After dispatching the German sentries at the top of the cliff, their mission was to find and destroy large battery guns. This action was crucial as these large guns were capable of firing shells several miles out to sea and would therefore have claimed many men’s lives who would be arriving at Utah beach the following morning. After destroying the guns, but alerting a large German infantry force, Colonel Rudder and his men fought bravely with their backs to the sea.

Included

• Runner's World Training Plan
• Return transport from London
• 3 nights' accommodation in comfortable static cabins
• All meals and break stops
• Pasta Party before the event
• Glass of fizz at the finish
• Medical and event support
• Combat Stress technical t-shirt
• D-Day Challenge medal
• Sightseeing day

Sightseeing day includes

• Pegasus Bridge
• Sainte Mere Eglise
• Omaha Beach
• Arromanches
• Juno Beach
• British Normandy Memorial

The D-Day 44 mile ultra was outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed both the event and the historical tour, made lifelong friends and would highly recommend taking part for an unforgettable adventure. Paul D

A brilliant experience from start to finish. The team ensured everything ran smoothly, with excellent support, well stocked aid stations and a strong focus on safety throughout. Nick W

Loved every moment of this event. The atmosphere was great! Nathan D

Running along the landing beaches on the anniversary of D-Day was a truly special and memorable experience. The whole trip was well organised and expertly managed throughout. Alex B

An incredibly moving and well organised event with a fantastic group of participants. An honour to take part and complete it. Stuart L

An excellent and very well organised event with amazing staff. Taking part on D-Day made it an especially moving experience. Ian T

Loved every moment of this event. The atmosphere was great! Andrea P

Absolutely fantastic event with seamless organisation. Gina J

Experience of a lifetime. A unique and well supported event that brings together people from all walks of life for a truly memorable challenge. Magnus L

A challenging but rewarding event with great support throughout. Improvements could be made to route markings and water stations, but overall an outstanding experience. Dean S

The amazing and friendly support staff made this event. A truly enjoyable experience. Mark T

A memorable challenge with excellent support, even when unexpected changes impacted the route. The adaptability of the team made it even more special. Andy B

Really good event with great staff and excellent accommodation. A humbling experience with a strong sense of camaraderie throughout. Sara J

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck

Combat Stress

The UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.

For over a century they’ve been helping former servicemen and women deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Today they provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues.

Your support can be life-changing.

Now more than ever, veterans rely on the charity and the charity relies on supporters like you. Combat Stress believes military trauma shouldn’t destroy the lives of veterans and their families. When a veteran is having a tough time, they're there to help tackle the past and to help them take on the future. By taking part in this D-Day Challenge, your fundraising efforts will make a huge difference to the lives of the former servicemen and women who turn to them for support.

The impact of your fundraising

• £24

  could pay for a veteran to attend a Peer Support group meeting

• £30

  could fund a veteran’s call to our 24-hour Helpline

• £58

  could allow veteran family members to use our Family Support Service

• £82

  could fund a specialist psychological assessment for a veteran

• £179

  could fund a specialist psychological assessment for a veteran

• £379

  could pay for a veteran’s appointment with a psychiatrist

• £535

  could enable a veteran with complex PTSD to recognise, understand and use their emotions to live the live they want by completing our ‘master your emotions’ programme

16 and 17-year-olds must be accompanied by a guardian or parent.

Entry fees