The Drop - Winchester

The Drop - Winchester

The Drop is a stripped-back navigation challenge held from an event centre at Cadence at The Handlebar Cafe, Garnier Road Car Park, Winchester SO23 9PA. Participants are taken to an undisclosed drop location and must find their own way back to the event centre on foot, without navigation aids.

Three distance options are offered:

• 15 miles original, longest version
• 10 miles shorter version with the same rules
• 6 miles only for participants from outside the local area

At registration participants hand over electronic devices, watches, and any navigational aids. Each participant receives a race number and a sealed emergency bag that must be carried for the duration; breaking the seal results in disqualification. Deployment is by bus while wearing blackout blindfolds or approved alternatives. Timing starts when blindfolds are removed.

Rules and restrictions include no GPS, no unauthorised maps, on foot only, and no outside help. Distances are measured as the crow flies; actual travel distance will be longer. Entries for the 6 mile option may be checked and local participants may be reassigned.

An optional live GPS tracking system is available for safety and sharing. Trackers are accurate to about 5 metres but can be affected by buildings and black spots, must be placed with a clear view of sky, and must be returned to staff or a replacement fee applies. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.