Tuesday 31st Aug - SOLD OUT
Isn't is strange that when we set up this new website and my daughter convinced me that we needed a blog that it would be dead easy to maintain. On the other hand of course - she didn't have to do it.
The great news is that we are once again up to our 'cap' with participants for the the 2010 Challenge taking place in a few weeks time - and all is still rush, rush, rush to get the final touches done on time.
We still have to order many bits and pieces which we leave till the end, such as runners numbers and some branding materials.
The good news is that we will have a Challenge Merchandise shop on site this year where you can buy your bits and pieces for home or the office - do come along and see it.
You also need to be aware that for the first time in 2010 we are placing a £2 admission charge on Spectators which is designed to cover some of the financial costs we have to bear to look after you all.
In the mean time - please do get in touch if there is any feedback you want to offer. Thats good or bad, but we do prefer the good comments obviously.
Tuesday 25th May - ENTRIES FLOOD IN
I have to apologise for the delay since the last update - but we have been away on a family holiday and only returned at 0200 this morning - to a huge pile of entry forms for October - thank you.
For those interested in such matters we are now on the 60% sold out level - and an interesting statistic (SAD) is that on the Saturday 4K FUN event have 60% female competitors to 40% males. On the other hand on the 10K MARINE Challenges we have 60% males to 40% females...........................not sure what that stat tells us?
We are working very hard to tie up all the loose ends with the event - such as shower hire, marquees, traffic control and of course - all our volunteers.
If you would like to know more simply drop us an email at the usual address and we will do our best to respond.
Monday 19th April - CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
As well as getting involved in the Black Tie dinner mentioned in the BLOG below - there are other ways you can help - expecially if you arn't the running sort and don't fancy squeezing through those dark and wet tunnels! How about sponsoring part of the Challenge - we have a huge amount of kit and equipment we need help with. An example of how you can assist is to join WESTAWAY Sausages who are helping us to feed our army of 200 volunteers over the two days of the event.
For instance - you could also get in touch with C Group via their website as they are keen to work with Businesses to achieve their aims and objectives - there are definite benefits to this such as membership to CGroup and the opportunity to attend such things as Regimental Dinners at CTCRM!
The Devon Air Ambulance Trust also need your support - not just financially to help them keep us safe by having the ability to keep TWO helicopters in the air over Devon - but also volunteers and people to stage fundraising events. Again you can get in touch via their website.
And last - but not least - our Black Tie Dinner later this year. We need guests / celebrities / auction lots / pledges / sponsors etc etc etc. Can you help?
For more information about any of the above just drop us an email and we will respond - almost immediately.................
Alan
We are planning a really special "Black Tie" dinner later in the Autumn here in Devon on behalf of the Royal Marines (who will be in Afghanistan this year) and the Devon Air Ambulance. We would very much like your help in supplying some of the items for our Sporting (or anything else) Auction!!!
We are not only after really special sporting memorabilia - but also such things as 'pledges' and 'those items money simply can't buy?' You know the sorts of stuff - like a day with Manchester United - infact - anything which you think may raise funds for these two worthy causes.
At previous dinners we have managed to secure such auction lots as part of a Formula 1 racing car, a fully signed Brazil football shirt, a day with the Royal Marines etc etc etc.
We are also looking for that really special sports star to attend and entertain us throughout the evening - do you know one we could invite? What about a band - do you know Chris Martin from COLD PLAY - could they be our star turn?
There will also be sponsorship opportunities - so if you are the 'mover and shaker' in your company why not get in touch.
Once we annouce the date of the dinner you will also be able to purchase tables for your company and come along and spend some of your well earned salary?
Wednesday 30th March 2010
How time flies when you are having a good time!! It seems like years since we launched this new site and already our hits are back to what they were with the old site - really great news our web designer tells me. We have just topped 16m hits for those interested!!
We have moved along with planning for the Challenge in October, but have now started using Twitter and other social sites as we really would like to get a Celebrity or two to this years event - not only to aid the fundraising - but to also help with the promotion of our two charities. If you know of anyone why not send them a link to this site - or better still - drag them in as part of your team.
We are receiving around 10 teams a day currently - which is certainly on par with this time last year - so well done everyone who has already sent in their entry forms. We do still have a long way to go yet before we are sold out - last year that was early June - so if you are thinking of entering don't leave it too long.
We are adding a new arm to our work - with Eventful Graphic Design. If this side of what we do is of interest to you why not get in touch.
And finally today - we do welcome your feedback on the site - afterall - what you see is just our interpretation of what we think you want. Its simple and easy to navigate with all the important things close to hand - such as entry forms.
Alan - Challenge Director
Thursday 18th March 2010 - EXETER FM RADIO INTERVIEW
For more information about the Commando Challenge why not listen to the Event Organiser being interviewed this week by Graham Russell at Exeter FM
http://www.exeter.fm/p/whats-on/commando-challenge
Wednesday 17th March 2010 - FLIKR
The Organisers have been really busy today on two aspects of the event - firstly sending out Information Packs to teams who have secured their places in the 2010 Challenge - as well as uploading the images from the 2007 Challenge into our new favourite toy "Flikr". Later this week we will upload the 2008 and 2009 photo's - perhaps you took part and we got a pic of you and your team??
This really is the busiest time of the year for the small team who have been organising the Commando Challenge for the past 20 years. Each year seems to get busier - but better. 2010 will be no exception with all manner of new things at Bicton Arena.
The best advice we can give today - is if you havent already entered is to go to the event page of your choice and download your entry form and find your team. Why not also let us know the approx time you would like to start - while we have the spaces we can do this for you - to within a few minutes. It does become harder the fuller we get.
Wednesday 10th March 2010
So far today we have had some really positive feedback from the new site - keep those comments coming as its been a long time in the making and we need all the praise we can get.
We can confirm that entries are flying in for both days - which is normal for this time of year. We are also taking loads of telephone calls with all manner of questions and queries - I will be adding some of these to the FAQs as we develop the site more. We will also be adding many more photos to the gallery in the next day or two and tweaking here and there.
I would like to stress that we have very limited places for the 4k FUN this year as we have reduced it to half-a-day. TIP OF THE DAY - enter sooner rather than later if you want to do this Challenge.
Team Lists will be added to the 4k and 10k pages as we start to fill up so that you can see what vacancies there are - but rest assured, we have previously sold out of all places by about the end of May - mid-June.
Monday 8th March 2010
Planning and preparation for the 2010 Royal Marines COMMANDO CHALLENGE is progressing at a pace - nothing unusual for this time of year. All equipment is either already booked or we are waiting for quotes from possible new suppliers.
For the first time this year we are looking to add a number of new ideas - not least the need to find an Aerobics Instructor who can be with us for the two days to take spectators through warm-up sessions very much like the Royal Marines will do for the runners.
If you have any ideas about how we could make the Challenge better - eitther for runners or spectators - please let us know.
