The following year, 1958, the competition was held on July 6th and the weather was
very warm, but despite this three Senior Scouts from 5th North-West Leeds Group,
Messrs Ellmore, Burnley and Platts, completed the full 42 miles to Skipton-on-Swale,
finishing together as a group of three, in a time of 11 hours 50 minutes. Over the
next six years the number of entries increased steadily to 47 competitors and the
time for completing the route decreased to 9 hours 23 minutes. This was set by Alan
Boden, a Rover Scout with the 33rd North-West Leeds (West Park Congregational) Group,
on July 5th, 1964.
In 1968 when David Boulton took over as organiser, following the death of Ronnie
Marshall two years earlier, the rules were tightened up. Prior to this competitors
had been able to cover the course wearing whatever clothing they wished. It was quite
normal for them to complete in running gear of T-shirt, shorts and plimsolls.
Additionally, up to 1964, everyone competed as individuals and could walk alone or
with others as they wished. This change to the rules was prompted by the death of
a competitor in the 4 Inns Hike in the South Pennines area and a recommendation from
the Scout Association that all competition organisers looked at their rules and followed
guidelines laid down by the British Mountaineering Council.
It was felt that the rules needed altering as follows - firstly, a need to improve
the dress worn, particularly over the moorland stages; secondly, the requirement
for all competitors to walk in teams in case any competitor is injured, is taken
ill or becomes exhausted; thirdly, the establishment of additional checkpoints to
cut down the area of search in case a competitor becomes lost and the use of radio
between checkpoints to report on the position of all competitors; and finally more
use of parental support in manning checkpoints to provide better back-up facilities
for the competitors.
As regards clothing it was decided that fellwalking equipment should be worn and
carried until after the moorland section. This included the wearing of walking boots,
long-sleeved shirt, walking trousers and the carrying of spare jumpers, waterproofs,
headgear, gloves and emergency rations by each competitor. In addition each team
had to have a basic amount of team equipment; maps and compasses, survival bag, torches
and first aid kit. The walking teams had to comprise at least four members with a
maximum of seven and had to remain as a group as far as the end of the moorland section,
which in 1964 was Kirkby Malzeard. After this point, the team could split and walk
as individuals, although from 1977 the minimum number walking together had to be
two people. Additional checkpoints were added, firstly at Henstone Band between Kilnsey
and Ramsgill to cut down the search area over Meugher, and secondly at West Tanfield.
It was felt that it was becoming unsafe for tired walkers to have to ford the River
Ure at North Stainley and therefore it became compulsory to use the bridge at West
Tanfield and a checkpoint was established there to ensure that this was being done.
