This challenge is good at changing lives – Richard Inns’ more than most, as a recent post (and news of his engagement to fellow-challenger Katie Tyerman) revealed…

“This challenge over the years has definitely changed my life!!” wrote in the challenge Facebook group Richard recently, going on to explain the steps.

2015 - My first year, just recording my miles on a spreadsheet walking mainly alone.

2017 - Did the 500 miles over summer challenge and joined the Facebook group.

2018 - Attended my first badger meeting, the first of many and made lots of new friends – conquering my shyness and generating new confidence in myself.

2019 - Attended lots of amazing badger meets all over the country making yet more friends- and win some gold badges too

2020 - COVID - arrgghhh - but all is not lost the challenge continues and I meet Katie Tyerman for the very first time - who turns out to be the love of my life !!!!

2021 - Monday 8th February, I ask Katie to marry me..................... she says ‘YES!!!’

This is most definitely the best challenge and group ever!! I’ve never been happier.”

Which was just music to our ears – and an opportunity to recap the couple’s story.

“I wasn’t in this for love” - Katie & Richard’s story

So says accountant Richard from the West Midlands. “This is ridiculously unlikely” says psychologist Katie Tyerman from Kenilworth. And yet...

How did you connect?

Rich: Back in December 2019 I lead a #walk1000miles Christmas Badger Meet around Birmingham – Katie was supposed to join us but couldn’t and on the day sent me a message asking if we could do a mini-meet in early 2020 – so in February 2020 we met up and although we were both super nervous we ‘clicked’ straight away as if we’d known each other our entire lives!

Katie: I did a walk to prove a point to my dad that I could walk from Warwick to Birmingham along the canal and jokingly sent Rich a message saying I’m on my way to find you (a moment of bravery while buzzing from an amazing walk). He agreed. I took a deep breath and met him. We hit it off from the start and later I realised I’d fulfilled a “brief encounter” moment and met the love of my life at a railway station.

When did you realise it was more than just friendship?

Rich: It was during lockdown – we were in constant daily contact via text and I realised there may be a bit more than walking friendship to this. We have so much in common and pretty much share the same sense of humour.

Katie: That first day. I felt so comfortable with him. Unfortunately my mouth kept spewing words the whole time so I was convinced he would run a mile.

“The ‘proper’ ring we’ll get together after lockdown when it’s safe to go jewellery shopping! In the meantime I got Katie an engagement key ring! It has the date and coordinates of when and where we first met engraved onto it.”

How unlikely would you have said this was a year or two ago?

Rich: Highly unlikely, I was never in this challenge for love!!!

Katie: Ridiculously unlikely. But it happened! I still can’t get over it.

How's it going now?

Rich: Fantastic! She’s amazing! We’ve moved in together, we’re engaged and we’ve even bought a cat!

Katie: I am beyond happy. Let’s just say he’s ace. We’re off to the Lake District at the weekend and planning joy amongst the chaos. He has changed our lives and shares my plans for the future (walking, nature and joy).

Why do walkers make the best partners?

Rich: Walking together holding hands or arm in arm with the one you love and appreciating nature and everything that’s great in life is the best.

Katie: Firm thighs and stamina 😉.