The Shelterbox Challenge

Rob Howard / 19.02.2006

Endurancelife have come up with yet another imaginative challenge to add to their growing list. The new Shelterbox Challenge joins a list of events which includes their Classic multi-sport races, the 7x7x7 (7 days, 7 marathons, 7 ways), the Coastal Marathon and their popular Devon Coast to Coast adventure race.

They are also involved in regular fundraising for supported charities, and the dynamic duo of Gary Jolliffe and Barry Matthews have undertaking some extreme challenges themselves to raise money, most recently their ‘Ultimate Coast to Coast’.

They describe The Shelterbox Challenge, which takes place on weekend of May 20/21st, as a unique team based adventure challenge that will push team work and endurance to the limit, and the charitable aim is to support Shelterbox. The charity deliver boxes containing the essential equipment and tools needed to provide shelter and warmth to those that need it most, in disaster areas around the world.

And the shelterboxes themselves are an integral part of the challenge ... as teams of 4 need to work together to transport a shelterbox across Dartmoor National Park over a 2 day period. And what’s more they must survive using the contents of the shelterbox during the 2 days. (The boxes will be equipped with tents, cookers, fuel, ropes and dry bags.)

They must reach strategically located check points and in doing so overcome rivers, cliffs, woodland and vast expanses of Dartmoor moorland. The challenge will involve covering approx 50 miles whilst carrying/dragging/pushing everything you need to survive in a 30 - 40kg shelterbox.