A Few LEJOG Facts & Records

25 January 08

Few facts about E2E'ers From Jack Adams. Thanks Jack

A few LEJOG facts and records
--------------------------------------
The name John o’ Groats takes its name from Jan de Groot, a Dutchman who obtained a grant for the ferry from the Scottish mainland to Orkney, recently acquired from Norway, from James IV in 1496. Jan de Groot is buried at Carnisbay Kirk.

One of the first recorded end to end journeys was by a Cornishman Robert Carlyle in 1879, he pushed a wheel barrow from Lands End to John o’ Groats, the barrow was thought to be use to transport his suitcase.

Since these early days end to ending has escalated to almost a national sport, with many well known names such as Sir Jimmy Savill and Sir Ian Botham and the late Jane Tomlinson The trend was probably kick started by Dr Barbara Moore, this prompted Sir Billy Butlin to organise his ill fated end to end race in February 1960, 725 competitors started hoping to win the first prize of £1000, when the time limit expired only 113 people finished. The winner of the men’s race was Jim Musgrave, a 38 year old glass blower from Doncaster in a time of 15 days, 14 hours, 31 minutes. Second man home was 26 year old John Grundy 1hr 22 minutes behind the winner. The ladies winner was 18 year old Wendy Lewis from Liverpool, who along with Jim Musgrave also received £1000. The second lady home was Mrs Beryl Randle aged 31 from Walsall also received £1000 because of her bravery, she was leading with only 30 miles to go, but was forced to rest her swollen ankle at Camborne. Third lady home was 17 year old Carol Dodds, the youngest lady home was 16 year old Miss J Terry in 13th place, the oldest lady, Mrs A Nicholas aged 62 finished 24th.

It is estimated that over 200 people every year complete the ultimate UK journey, it is almost impossible to gauge the true number as many never register their journey. We at the Lands End John o’ Groats Association average over 50 new members every year, this fails to take into account present members who complete the journey for a second or third time.

The solo cycle record set by Andy Wilkinson in 1990 stands at 45hrs 2 minutes 18 seconds. Andy also holds the windcheater recumbent record of 41hrs 5 minutes set in 1996; he also shares the tandem record with Lynne Taylor of 51hrs 19 minutes 23 seconds in 2000.
These pale into insignificance with the fastest end to end, the record is 46 minutes 44 seconds set by a Phantom jet fighter plane.

One of the most remarkable modern day end to ends took place in 2006, Sharon Gayter completed the 834 miles in 12 days 16 Hours 23 Minutes thus setting a new ladies world record, all this after suffering a quad injury.

Charlie Hankins was a WW11 veteran who lost both legs in 1943 in North Africa. After being placed in the Royal Star and Garter home in Surrey, Charlie decided to raise funds for the home, after many local fund raising journeys in his Hand propelled tricycle wheelchair he took on the end to end challenge not once but twice. Charlie passed away in 2004 but his name lives on in the trophy that bears his name that is competed for every year at the Association.

We normally link cowboys to Americans (or dodgy builders) definitely not Bolton or Blackpool. In June July and August 2005, Texas Red aka Peter Darwent and Pony Bob Sanderson set out from JOG on their horses Josie Wailes and Miss Kitty, (I kid you not) and Belle Star the mule. The pair of them lived as cowboys of old, sleeping under the stars even in the rain, they were assisted by Red’s ex Wife Edna and a lady called Barbara and “Dicko” and Sarah the dog, she is a cross between a Husky and a wolf, however she had the most placid nature of any dog I have met. Together this intrepid band completed the journey in 69 days.

These are only a small number of memorable journeys; every one has a tale to tell, at the LEJOG Association, we are always on the lookout for new members and new stories, so get walking, cycling, driving or what ever means you choose, but do this fantastic journey, it is something you will remember as long as you live.

Don’t just say “I would love to do that, DO IT”