They walked across Wales in a day and we've got the pictures to prove it!

Every year, a group of ramblers gather at the border between Powys and Shropshire with the single aim of walking the width of Wales in a day. On 6 September 2003, they set off again on the road from Anchor to Aberystwyth. This time, the event was more special than usual as the walkers marked their fortieth anniversary.

Stuart Lamb who lives in Worcestershire was a member of the original group of walkers who set themselves the challenge of walking across Wales back in the early 1960s. Here, he tells the story of how the "Walk Across Wales" began and reports on what happened on the fortieth occasion.

"In the summer of 1963, whilst hostelling in Mid Wales, members of West Birmingham YHA Group mused whether it would be feasible to cross Wales on foot in one day. In October of the next year they put this simple proposition to the test, and the Across Wales Walk was born.

Forty events later, West pulled out all the stops to celebrate the anniversary of what has become one of the classics of the challenge walking calendar. Extra coach capacity enabled the largest ever field of 139 entrants to start this 45 mile linear event at Anchor on the Welsh border having spent a short night in the Memorial Hall, Clun.

Forecasts of a final breakdown in the fine summer weather were only partially realised as the walkers experienced occasional heavy showers in the late morning. However, these cleared in the early afternoon to yield ideal conditions: entrants reported excellent visibility with the full span of Cardigan Bay, from St David's to the Lleyn Peninsula, being visible from the summit of Plynlimon. These conditions persisted until the close of the event with checkers enjoying a rare, dry pack after the last of the 126 walkers completing the event reached Clarach Bay.

Fastest home was Vince Thwaites in a creditable 8 hours 20 minutes. Further, an unprecedented ten entrants attempted a double crossing. Having left Aberystwyth on the preceding day, nine completed the outward leg, with seven completing the full ninety miles.

However, building upon his double last year, Roderick Hollands raised the stakes to new and extreme heights by completing the first ever triple crossing of the Across Wales Walk. Moreover, he completed this 135 mile ordeal in 53 hours on a strict self-supporting basis carrying all supplies and gear throughout. A truly awesome feat of mental and physical endurance.

On the following day, in a break from usual practice, entrants and checkers returned to Clun, the ancestral home of the event, for a special presentation ceremony. Following issue of the certificates, we celebrated the forty years since the events inception by inviting entrants past and present to relate their experiences over the years.

Roy Millard, organiser of the first ever Across Wales Walk and completer of the previous days event, described its humble origins, contrasting these with the large scale and logistically complex undertaking that it has now become.

Next up were Clive Lungmuss and Richard Rosser who, being responsible for 23 of the 46 double crossings, were particularly qualified to describe this variation on the event since its inception by Neville Tandy in 1984.

Richard and Clives contrasting yet complimentary delivery made for an informative and riotously entertaining double double-act. Im sure that few present will pass the barn at Black Gate without recollecting Clives description of sharing a short nights bivouac there with a dead badger!

Finally, with more than thirty completions of the Across Wales, Neville Tandy, described his life and times in mid-Wales as the most prolific entrant by far. Proceedings then concluded with a snack lunch and celebratory drink.

Overall, the fortieth Across Wales was certainly one to remember as we move into our fifth decade crossing the beautiful valleys and mountains of Powys and Ceredigion.

Thanks go to the members of West Birmingham Hostelling Group, the welcome band of walkers-turned-checkers and RAYNET who, year after year, not only make this event possible to stage, but also persistently provide the exemplary levels of support to the entrants for which this event has become renowned.

A date for your diary: the forty-first Across Wales Walk will take place on 4th September 2004."

Written by Stuart Lamb.