After a summer of celebrating the achievements of Olympians and Paralympians, it’s time to raise the roof for the TeamGB heroes for whom their mighty achievements loom larger still: you! What has your 1000 miles made you proud of?
‘Modest achievements, but I’m proud’
I’ve recently topped 750 miles walked this year so far and have completed the circuit of the Isle of Wight coast, finished the Derwent Valley Heritage Way and pushed on to the source of the river, climbed 25% of the Ethels [95 hills of the Peak District], which included Parkhouse Hill and Kinder Scout – neither of which I was sure I would manage. Modest achievements to some but I am proud of achieving them!’ – Sally-Ann Fox
Never too late
‘Finally got my act together at the beginning of June and I've walked 3 miles or more each day. I also bit the bullet, set the alarm and have got out first thing every morning of the past three months too. Set my clothes in the sitting room, throw them on, quick cup of coffee, grab my phone, set my watch and GO, and I feel GREAT for it’ – Gillie Kilner
A 50th first
‘I completed the Dales Way which was organised as a surprise 50th Birthday present, ands my first time doing a long distance trail. Love to do more as loved the daily walk and seeing the landscape and geology change was fab.’ – Kevin Nurse
A partwork triumph
‘I competed the Coast to Coast in May, after walking the first half last year. A cumulative achievement and a celebration we looked forward to for a year!’ – Marion Knight
Personal best
‘In June I completed 89 miles walking around Derbyshire in a week, which broke my previous best weekly total of 72 miles. So proud of myself!’ – Simon Basford
Onward, ever onward!
‘I'm proud I have done so well this year, from being told amputation was a possibility last year after an broken and infected leg wouldn’t heal. Having leg surgery and starting to walk again at the beginning of the year I was only able to walk about a mile a day. I want to make 1000 miles, and im trying to push forward to achieve that, but in all probability, I will probably get to 750 or 800. But hooray for walking. And hooray for living life!’ – Melanie Moss-Burton
Miles that mean more
‘I’m proud that, in what has turned out to be an incredibly difficult year, I’ve walked more days than I haven't. So much time has been eaten up with all sorts of stresses but even a short walk resets my anxious, over-thinking mind. I may not achieve the target I originally set I’ve achieved many more smaller targets – and sometimes a single mile is worth as much as a long walk.’ – Nichola Suzanne
15 to one
‘Michael and I have been walking up all the National Park high points, and we should finish in November. We are so proud of Ben Macdui and Ben More which we did in spring. You might say age and injuries are against us but we have mountains of determination! Hoping to tick off two more soon and the last one in Norfolk in November.’ – Michelle Martin
Taking the fight to my foes
‘I was diagnosed with angina at the end of last year and then discovered I have heart disease! I decided to get on top of things and walk. It’s helped me enormously – physically and mentally. Taking photos means I take the time to stop and enjoy the moment, and while I may not reach 1000 I’m happy with my achievement and hope to reach 750+. My pre-diabetes has also gone back to normal levels too!’ – Dawn Smith
The places one foot in front of the other lead
I've dreamed of hiking the Himalayas and maybe catching a glimpse of Everest, and in April I finally made it. It's only taken me 7 years; the death of my mother, losing a job, a fall resulting in multiple fractures and four run-ins with Covid. I am so happy I persevered. I’ve done Walk 1000 Miles since 2016 and every year I’ve pushed myself to go a little further, complete a little earlier and along the way do something that really challenges me. And if I have a wobble along the way? It's the community that keeps me going. I’ve been utterly inspired by the unconditional support, the life stories, the photos, the laughs, the tears. So I just dust myself down and start again, one foot in front of the other.’ – Karen Ritchie
Older, and faster!
‘It’s my fourth year of the challenge; the first year I completed at the end of August, which was amazing. The next two years it took longer and I didn't complete until the end of October, but of course I was getting older! When I set out this year – my 80th – I wasn't sure I would be able complete at all, so I set a modest target to complete on my 80th birthday, which is in December. But I'm on course to complete by the end of September, which really smashes my target and is unbelievable. I’m so chuffed!’ – Alan Newbold
