Race Date: The 14th day of the 11th month in the year of our Lord 2024

From The Journal of Matt Gibson

A Stone Cross stands in the centre of England; in Meriden. It has stood for 500 years. Every year hundreds of prisoners will gather around that cross, late into the night. At midnight, the Crow will release you. Then, you must Escape from Meriden…

Use any route you dare, and run. Run as far away, and as fast as you can, for 24 hours (“chained” category entrants get 36 hours), then the sands of time run out.

The Crow will judge how far the shadows have run, and reward them. Make a feeble attempt to escape, and receive just paper. Venture further and claim silver (for 30 ACF miles). Further still and take Gold (for 60 ACF miles). If your flight takes you 90 miles ACF then The Black Crow will be yours. Be assured, few black crows will be claimed, if any. There’s a twist… the miles are measured “as the crow flies”, not miles travelled.

• You can escape only on foot. The Crow knows how fast you travel
• You can attempt escape solo for 24 hours, either female or male
• If you are scared of the dark, you can escape for 24 hours as a pair
• In the Autumn edition only, if you are after the most authentic escape experience, you can be “chained” to your partner, and run for 36 hours!
• You will be given no advice on where to run, or hide
• You make your own route. Use any means you wish to wayfind
• You obviously can’t use private land or anything illegal (motorways etc).
• Your route choice is your own choice and risk. We recommend strongly that you stay off roads that have no pavement
• There are no checkpoints. Use your wit and guile to feed yourself. Call for your mother if you must

256 fools gathered to make their escape.

Matt Gibson was the only Strider among the desperate convicts. When the sands of time ran out, the furthest man from Meriden was Sean Fenwick who had travelled 166km crow/187km real. Furthest woman was Katie Darnley with 144.9km crow/161km real. Furthest pair were Greigling, 145.2km crow/156km real. Furthest chained pair ‘Paul my chain’, 138.7km crow/179km real.

Striders Results