The London Gorkha boys triumphed 100 K Trail walker challenge

A team of four, enthusiastic youths representing Gorkha Zilla Gurung Samaj UK, registered charity no 1175191 took part in the 100 Kilometres trail walker challenge at the Southdown route which started from Queens Elizabeth country park,

Petersfield and ended at the Brighton racecourse stadium. The event was held between 22nd and 24th September 2023. The aim was to raise

donation for the benefit of Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT). The team was named “The London Gorkha Boys”. There were Ten check points which were distanced roughly 10 kilometres between them. The 100k course must be completed within 30 hours’ time limit and out of four members, at least three persons must be crossed the finishing line as a team to qualify for the Medals.

It is an arduous challenge, and one must be prepared mentally and physically to drag already tired feet and body along the route to complete the course. That is what, our team did it. Physically they were exhausted but mentally, they were prepared to accomplish the challenge. According to the statistic, almost half of the teams drop out between 40 to 60 k points due to their physical disorders. There were total of 200 teams at

the beginning of the race. Our team were consisted of: Mr Prasant Gurung (Team Captain) son of former chairman Mr Pancha Gurung, Mr David Gurung son of member Mr Krishna Bahadur Gurung, Mr Sujan Gurung son of London area representative Mr Deu Bahadur Gurung and Mr Deewas Gurung son of Founder chairman Mr Tham Parsad Gurung.

Their initial training was conducted locally at the Middlesex area in separate phases covering at least 10 to 20k per week under the supervision of the supporting team. Nearer the date, they were taken to the actual route to assess their fitness in numerous occasions covering 40 to 60k per training day. All their father figures functioned as a supporting crew and played a vital role for the moral of the team. At the finishing point, the team received thunderous cheers from the welcome crowd. The team was also welcomed initially by pipers’ music and then by a folk Nepali song that encouraged them to give their final effort to dash to the finishing line.

The event was organised by Queens Gurkha Signals regiment since Hong Kong era raising funds for Oxfam and Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT). Each team must raise at least £1200 for the charity. Our team raised more than £1400 from the members, their families, and friends. It has been stated that more than £200,000 raised for GWT which will provide support to the destitute veterans, widows and to their families in Nepal. Thank you for your generosity and well done to the boys.