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The Doko Challenge South
London
Roehampton Vale, London, SW15 3, United KingdomSun 11th June 2023
Starting at 11:00
1 race
£25.00
Organiser's Description
This unique event sees participants running in the footsteps of the ‘Bravest of the Brave’. Based on a pivotal part of the Gurkha selection process, we challenge you to take on an undulating 5km cross-country course through Wimbledon Common with a weighted Nepali Doko basket strapped to your back. A hugely popular event that always attracts a fantastic turnout from our supporters and serving Gurkhas alike – places are sure to be in demand!
You can choose a weight for your Doko basket of 5kg, 10kg or 15kg, and can run, jog, or walk the route. Those looking to push themselves can aim to beat the Gurkha recruitment time of 46 minutes, or even last year’s fastest time of 19 minutes 30 seconds!
Course Details
Undulating course through the beautiful surroundings of Wimbledon Common
What's Included
You can choose a weight for your Doko basket of 5kg, 10kg or 15kg, and can run, jog, or walk the route. Those looking to push themselves can aim to beat the Gurkha recruitment time of 46 minutes, or even last year’s fastest time of 19 minutes 30 seconds!
Refreshments will be available to purchase at the start/finish area, including delicious Nepali Street Food. Wimbledon & Putney Commons are fully open to the public, so bring your family and friends along and make a day of it! We will provide a Doko basket for the race, complete with your chosen weight. Don’t worry, Gurkhas will be on hand to make sure it is fitted correctly.
- Fully signposted, 5km cross-country course, with volunteers marshalling the route and cheering you on throughout
- Finishers medal
- Goodie bag, complete with an exclusive GWT Doko Challenge T-shirt
- Chip timers and online results, viewable on the day
- Individual and group finish line photos, available via our online gallery after the event
Parking
Location
Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields
Roehampton Vale
London SW15 3PQ
timings
11:00 Registration & Doko basket collection
12:15 Welcome & warm-up
12:30 Race begins
14:00 Finishers group photo
on the day
Refreshments will be available to purchase at the start/finish area, including delicious Nepali Street Food. Wimbledon & Putney Commons are fully open to the public, so bring your family and friends along and make a day of it!
fundraising
We suggest you set a fundraising target of £150. Alongside keeping fit and challenging yourself, you can take great pride in raising money to support our team in Nepal, keeping our Gurkha veterans and widows safe and giving them the means to live with dignity.
the challenge
What is a Doko?
A traditional Nepalese conical-shaped basket, usually hand woven from bamboo, fitted with shoulder straps and a 'namlo' (head strap) to support the load. The baskets are used to carry a whole host of things, from clothing to bricks!
A Historic Challenge
Every British Army Gurkha Soldier will be familiar with the 'Doko Race'. During the world-renowned annual Gurkha recruitment drive, the aspiring recruits are tasked with ascending a gruelling course in the foothills of the Himalayas carrying a 'Doko' loaded with 25kg of sand. They must complete the course within 46 minutes to proceed through to the next round of selection.
Supporting Gurkha veterans and widows in Nepal
Alongside keeping fit and challenging yourself, you can take great pride in raising money to support our team in Nepal, keeping our Gurkha veterans and widows safe and giving them the means to live with dignity. We suggest you set a fundraising target of £150
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