Great Scottish Walk strides ahead with launch of walk dates for 2008

Walking for charity has become a very popular event and one of Scotland’s premiere fundraising events - Great Scottish Walks has now announced its walk dates for 2008. Entries are now being taken for the 11th successful year of this walking event.

And the good news is that if you live in Glasgow, you don’t need to travel to the East to take part as a second walk will take place for the first time in 2008 at Glasgow Green. Like the original Edinburgh walk, it offers a choice of three distances that walkers can choose to complete according to their ability levels -one mile, six miles or 12 miles.
Already a popular fixture in the Edinburgh social calendar these multi-distance all ability walks last year saw in excess of 6000 walkers taking part and raising over £1 million in charity for over 200 charities across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Walk Owner Priscilla Turner said: “Last year we had the largest number of entrants taking part of any of the previous years and I felt that this year we could repeat the winning formula and offer it across two locations to enable walkers to choose their preferred location and take part in the day. The events are quite different from other walks because we actively encourage all ages and all fitness abilities to take part. People really enter into the spirit of the event and get dressed up in fancy dress and enter with their office colleagues or friends to raise sponsorship for their chosen charity.”
Edinburgh Lord Provost George Grubb commented: “Events like the Great Scottish walk offer people of all abilities the chance to get fit whilst making a valuable contribution to charities up and down the country.  The Great Scottish Walk has been a fantastic occasion for all involved in previous years and I’m sure that next year’s event will be an even bigger success.”

Walkers start off and return to the same point. Officially the walks start at 11.00 am time, but walkers are encouraged to get there earlier as this year Pink Aerobics www.pinkaerobics.com will be on hand to offer a fun way to limber up to enable participants to put their best foot forward. The beginning of each walk is heralded by a cavalcade of Goldwing Motorcyclists that are on hand to marshal along the route. As the walkers set off they are spurred on by the patriotic tones of a full pipe band and leading the way at the front will be the walk mascots which join the walks from around the country from affiliated charities involved with the event.

The walk circuits are designed to take in the cities scenery with gradients to offer a varied route to the walkers. Along the way walkers and supporters will be treated to entertainment along the route and when they reach the finishing line they are greeted with a carnival atmosphere in the form of vibrant music from samba bands and the announcement and cheering of entrants across the finishing line. Further details of all the days entertainment will be added to the companies website once confirmed.

Entry to the walks costs £10 for adults and £8 for children under 18 years and walkers are now able to enter online. Postal entries will be available from early 2008. Final online entries close a week before the walk and walkers can also join on the day.

Paths to Health will be the main sponsor of The Golden Mile at both venues.
Amanda McKay, development officer of Paths to Health commented: “Paths to Health is delighted to be the sponsor of the Golden Mile 2008 event. This is a great opportunity to promote walking as a simple yet effective activity to improve health. Whether young or old, previously inactive or recovering from illness walking a mile is an achievable milestone for most people.”

There are also a series of ‘Wee Walks’ around the country. Introduced in 2004 these are designed to engage children aged 16 years and younger, encouraging Scotland’s youngsters to participate in an event aimed at raising funds for charity and community projects, whilst walking their way to a fitter and healthier way of life.

The walks, which each cover a distance of two miles, will be taking place in parks across the country in areas including; Dumfries, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Perth, Edinburgh and Galston, East Ayrshire.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has endorsed all the events. Ms Sturgeon, who also acts as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, commented: “In a Scotland where too few children are reaching the recommended healthy levels of physical activity and we are seeing rising levels of childhood obesity, it is hugely encouraging to see organisations like the Great Scottish Walks putting on events such as the eight Wee Walks across the country. These walks will introduce children to the fun of taking part in physical activity while at the same time raising funds to benefit individuals and communities across Scotland.”

If you want to get fit and healthy and raise money for your favourite charity at the same time, visit www.greatscottishwalk.com and register.

The dates are:

Glasgow 25/05/08 Glasgow Green
Edinburgh 22/06/08 Meadowbank Stadium

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