On Friday 5th June, a 50 strong team of ramblers, mainly made up from members of lodges across the province put months of training walks to the test as they attempted the infamous Lyke Wake walk challenge, the notorious 40 mile trek across the entire breadth of the North York moors traditionally attempted in a 24 hour period.
After the initial meet up and team brief at Middlesbrough Masonic Hall, the Provincial Grand Master Mark Iveson along with APGM Martin Eggermont and Provincial Grand charity steward Des McKenzie were on hand to see the team off from the start point in Osmotherley at midnight as they headed East, complete with head torches and waterproofs (well it was June!) over and around the Cleveland Hills along the long path towards Ravenscar on the coast.
The walkers were assisted by a dedicated support team who were on hand to cater and tend to their needs over 8 selected check points.
As the miles passed by and the eventually sun came up, rolling hills turning into boggy marsh land, the camaraderie was in full flow as the walkers pushed each other on from check point to check point, the support team taking up the slack as and when needed, making sure the team were well fuelled up as they ticked off the miles.
In typical fashion the weather was unkind to the team as the heavens opened for a 5 hour period from 7am, this just spurred the team on however as they battled through gamely, no doubt egged on by Mark Tann’s constant repertoire of lame jokes which probably helped the team to walk as fast as they could.
Fatigue and aching muscles kicked in as the weather eventually improved as RAF Fylingdales came into view and the remaining miles moved into single digits, giving the team that much needed boost that the end was in striking distance, the beacon at Ravenscar being the holy grail at the end of the long and winding road that was eventually reached by the team in stages between 2:45 and 5:45pm to rapturous applause by the support crew and family members who had come out in numbers to cheer the exhausted walkers over the finish line.
After much backslapping and a beer or two the team waved an emotional goodbye to each other and headed back to the initial pick up points in Middlesbrough and Hull.
The festival 2029 fund will receive a boost as each walker pledged £100 to the cause.
The general feeling amongst the walkers was one of pride and relief that the challenge had been conquered but everyone agreed they wouldn’t be in a rush to attempt it again.
All told, a fabulous challenge enjoyed by everyone who took part in it and a great achievement, watch this space for a possible 2027 event!