As these challengers prove, walking is magic medicine no matter what size the dose!
2.5 miles
‘Best walking day ever’
‘We just had the best walking day ever with the kids! We got a bus into York from our village then caught a train to Malton. There were no seats so we sat on the floor (makes it more fun, right?) then did the 2.5 mile Malton Treasure Trail (www.treasuretrails.co.uk), following directions, working out the clues. To make it even more fun we added our own mini challenges to the walk to keep the kids entertained… and us in stitches. We were in Malton for nearly 7 hours. We walked, ate pizza ,drank wine, shopped a bit, spoke to random people and ultimately made walking fun. Cracking day with fab friends and 15K steps!’ – Cath Pryce
35 miles
‘Every time I put my boots on I feel alive’
‘We well and truly lost the plot and walked all four days'-worth of the Ridges & Furrows Arts Heritage Trail in Lincolnshire in ONE day last month. We felt so exhausted but so proud of ourselves! We only got into walking last year after we took a break from family chaos and work worries in the Yorkshire Dales, taking seven hours and a million pictures walking the Ingleton Waterfall walk. The realisation it’s the simple things in life that bring you peace and happiness was wonderful. We bought each other boots for Christmas, started clocking our miles and in February we found CW. Walk 1000 miles was just what we were looking for. I love colouring in our progress chart and the buzz we get from the mag drops through the door is brilliant. Not going to lie, 35 miles was really hard going at times but the beautiful views along the way, the sense of achievement as we ordered our g&t in the pub at the finish line and the amazement of what we are actually capable of now made it all worthwhile. It doesn’t matter how big or small, from the 1 mile out and back inside White Scar caves to the huge 35 miles of Ridges & Furrows and everything else in between walking is my happy place. Every time I put my boots on I feel alive! 1000 is our aim but the sky is the limit. – Katie Martin
1.5 miles
‘Forever Baba’s Mountain’
‘When our daughter was four she said she wanted to climb a mountain…. so off we went up Gummer’s How overlooking Windermere, armed with snacks and hot chocolate. It took a couple of hours to do that mile-and-a-half and we had great fun. We went again one evening when she was 10 and it seemed it was flying ant day – we were up and down in about 14 minutes flat! We still love this walk as it overlooks the Lakeside Hotel were we got married, and it’s now forever referred to as ‘Baba’s Mountain’ after that first jaunt up! – Ruth Burgess
17 miles
‘Just bliss’
‘I’ve just completed a 17 mile walk with six walking friends. Starting at the Skirrid over to Sugarloaf down to the river at Llanbedr, quick dip to cool down, then lunch at the pub before tackling Table Mountain and the finish in Crickhowell. Great views, great friends, great walk. Just bliss! – Linda Thomas
800 metres
‘I can do anything’
‘When I walked 800 metres post cancer surgery I was as proud as if I had walked 800 miles. After my operation I walked, walked, walked and proved to myself with the 1000-mile challenge that – if I really want to – I can do anything!’ – Julie Concannon
1 mile
‘Time is so precious’
‘I had a mini dog walk this evening and took time out to talk to everyone I saw – six people and the walk took me an hour and a half! Sometimes people need my time more than I need my time. Lady number one had been taken into hospital last week and isn’t feeling good but a talk and a few pats of Teddy, my dog, and she smiled. Person number two was so happy to see us – they’ve always lived in this area and after 46 years in the same house are selling to a young family. Person number three is a young guy who lost his parents a few years ago. I promised his mother I would keep an eye on him so today we played with Teddy in his garden. Person number four was a former pupil of mine… how she’s changed! Five was an older couple. He has dementia and she is coping the best she can but when she can just talk about flowers and pet Teddy she says she feels like everything is okay. The last is a newbie on the block, so good to make a connection there. Walks really don’t have to be long to mean something. Nowadays time is so precious and if we can share what we have then that is only positive. Keep walking, keep smiling’ – Nicola Fast
109 miles
‘I’m so thankful’
‘My proudest walks are my longest and my shortest – when I went solo around the Cleveland Way in 9 days in memory of both my grandmas, and And recently my proudest yet shortest walk – from my hospital bed to the hospital exit without a walking frame or holding on to anyone. 11 days in hospital due to a ruptured appendix. I am super thankful for all the NHS staff who save my life!’ – Annabel Owens
