Articles - Miscellaneous

The Moonwalk - Edinburgh - June 16th

On the morning of 16th June, four women set off for Edinburgh armed with decorated bras and a wheelchair. We had done our training and were ready for the challenge - Chris Graham (of Shadwell) was walking a full 26 miles, Gill Malpas and Barbara Custance a half marathon and as for me - an over zealous training session in Canada had left me with a broken ankle. My fellow walkers were not altogether convinced by my protestations that this was a genuine injury and decided that I should still endure with them a night deprived of sleep in Edinburgh. A wheelchair was duly hired for the occasion. I appointed myself team manager but was quickly told I was in their hands and as such had to behave!

10,000 walkers (including a few men) had descended on Edinburgh and were all accommodated in a very large and magnificent shocking pink marquee. They were a sight to behold in their elaborately decorated bras, some sporting flashing lights! Others, in a hen party, were dressed as Dougal from the Magic Roundabout (no, I couldn't work out why either!)

Despite the rain, everyone seemed to be in great spirits and ready for the off at midnight. The 26 mile route took the walkers out to the Firth of Forth and past Britannia at Leith. I wondered whether this graceful ship had ever witnessed such sights! The local drunks rubbed their eyes at the visions before them wondering whether they had had one too many that night.

Approximately 1,000 volunteers were needed to support the walkers. Jobs varied from serving food, supplying water, marshalling the walkers en route to masseurs. I joined the Registration team who were logging the volunteers in and out on a laptop from 6.30pm throughout the night. The last team arrived for duty for a 6.30am start. I constantly heard how they had each enjoyed being a part of such an event and despite the rain, the mud and hour (perhaps 4.00am) they were still smiling.

Gill, Barbara and Chris did brilliantly - we kept in mobile contact during the night. I had intended to sound encouraging but I don't think they appreciated hearing that I was drinking hot soup with my feet up whilst they were pounding the streets in the rain. Perhaps my motivational skills need to be improved! All three completed the route in good time. Barbara and Gill were back by 3.45am and Chris completed the 26 miles in an amazing 6¾ hrs.

It was a very tiring but also rewarding way to spend a weekend. We had had a shared goal and even though I had not been able to undertake the walk, Barbara, Gill and Chris very kindly allowed me to still be a part of the adventure. For that and for the way they looked after me, I must thank them.

As ever, people have been very generous in their sponsorship and I believe we have raised approximately £1000. The organisers hope to raise £2.5 million during 2007 for breast caner and cancer care projects.

If you feel inspired to "have a go" why not consider entering the London Moonwalk in May 2008 or Edinburgh in June 2008? It's an opportunity to get fit, wear ludicrous clothing in public (but well away from Leeds!) and have a laugh with friends on your journey - and you get a medal for your efforts!
PS For obvious reasons there isn't a photograph of the team to accompany this article!

Jo Curtis

© St Edmund's Church, Roundhay