THE PATHFINDER MARCH

Is an annual 46-mile long-distance walk around the four main Airbases.  It takes place as close to the 21st of June as possible to get the maximum amount of daylight.  Walkers set off at 4a.m. with 20 hours to complete the Walk.  It is a gruelling test of strength, stamina and map reading skills.  The masochists amongst you try to run it, they set off at 7a.m.  The participants have a walkers card which is marked off at eight checkpoints around the walk, and your progress recorded.

It was inaugerated in 1997 by Sqn Ldr Gavin Sugden, to commemerate the Pathfinder Force which operated out of RAF Wyton, RAF Gravely, RAF Oakington, RAF Warboys and their satellite bases  from 1942 to 1945, and follows the route of the Pathfinder Long Distance Walk. 

Flying Halifaxes, Lancasters, Mosquitos, Stirlings and Wellingtons (the latter two replaced by Lancasters and Mosquitos), the Force had twenty squadrons and flights in the three years of its existence.  Of the Force, only two squadrons are still flying in operational service; 7 Sqn, Royal Air Force (one of the original five squadrons) and 405 Sqn, Canadian Forces Air Command.

If you complete the walk, then you can pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

On RAF Wyton, there is a Pathfinder Museum, which has artifacts, uniforms and photographs.  The Museum Website can be found here > Pathfinder Museum