In 1984 a strange and, to some, inexplicable form of self-flagellation made its mark on the ‘Across Wales’, that of ‘doubling’ the event i.e. starting at Aberystwyth on the Friday before and walking through the night to the start, then walking back to Aberystwyth with the normal event. The late, great Neville Tandy was the first to complete a ‘double’ in that year amongst his 30+ other conventional completions.

However, the foremost exponent of this taxing ritual is Richard Rosser who, since 1986, has ‘doubled’ the event twenty times! Others have also risen to the challenge. Since then ‘doubling’ has become established as an annual feature of the Across Wales walk. However, 1997 and 1998 saw a remarkable double from the late Philip Gwilliam: not only did Philip complete a double crossing, but he also set the joint quickest time on that year’s event!

2000 saw another ‘double’ first: Susan Denham-Smith completed the first ever female double crossing of the Across Wales walk. A superb achievement!

Roderick Hollands raised the stakes even further in 2003 with the first ever Triple Crossing of the AWW Then, in 2014, this feat was replicated by Brian Layton.

In 2015 Brian went one step further and completed a remarkable Quadruple Crossing. Then, in both 2016 and 2017, Brian attempted Quintuple Crossings, but success eluded him on both occasions, not that completing 4 1/2 crossings could ever be viewed as failure!

In 2017 the following modified criteria were agreed for recognition of Double or other Multiple Crossings:

• A double crossing must commence at any point between Aberystwyth and Borth after 11:00 on the Friday before the event: this timing is consistent with a max 18h outward crossing. Those commencing more than two crossings must commence at start times brought forward by further multiples of 18h periods consistent with the number of crossings being attempted. However, once the challenge is initiated each of the crossings may be completed in any duration providing clause 2, relating to departure from Anchor as part of the main event, is met. 
• Any route may be taken from the starting point to Anchor Bridge which must be reached in time for the 5:00 am start of the event to facilitate departure with the main field of single crossing entrants.
• The crossings shall be considered a continuous walk with any rest periods taken on the route and outside of formal accommodation.
• Multiple crossers must comply with the stated CP open/closing times on their final leg as if they were completing a conventional ‘single’ crossing

Multiple crossings involving rest periods in accommodation, including the New Memorial Hall at Clun, will be separately recognised as ‘Consecutive Crossings’.

If the idea of walking 90 miles in 20 – 36 hours interests you, then contact Stuart Lamb who will be able to put you in contact with the regular ‘multiple crossers’. If you decide to go ahead, please indicate your intention at the time of booking.