Midlanders are Urged to Get Walking
The inaugural Tesco Great Midland Walk is launched
The first event of its kind in the region, the Tesco Great Midland Walk was launched today by international Cricket hero, Ashley Giles and 100.7 Heart FM DJ, Ed James.
The walk, to take place on the 29th October in the Clent Hills, hopes to attract 3,000 people from across the Midlands.
Commenting on the launch, Ashley Giles said: “Walking is a great form of exercise and an outdoor sport that the whole family can enjoy.
“It is also an ideal opportunity to raise money for charity. Although I will be preparing for The Ashes at the time of the walk, I have a ‘century’ of walkers undertaking the seven mile route for my nominated benefit year charity, Cure Leukaemia.
“The walk also has a special wheel friendly path. Just one and a half miles long, it is suitable for wheel chairs and push chairs, making this event something that everyone can do.”
Heart FM breakfast DJ, Ed James, added:
“For many years the north east has had the Great North Run, now in the Midlands we have The Great Midland Walk. It is hoped that we will be able to build on the walk so that it becomes a permanent fixture in the Midlands and is an event that we can all become proud of.
“The Clent Hills, just eight miles from the centre of Birmingham, is a very beautiful part of the Midlands and provides a stunning back drop to what I’m sure will be a great family day out.”
The Great Midland Walk is intended to be completed on Sunday 29th October by Olympians Steve Backley and MPs, Lynda Waltho (Stourbridge) and Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove).
David Hart, communications director of event organiser, Nova International added:
“We are hoping that The Tesco Great Midland Walk will be an event that everyone will enjoy. With two routes of seven and one and a half miles, you don’t need to be an experienced walker to take part. Fitness experts from David Lloyd Leisure will be providing a warm up to get all the entrants prepared for an enjoyable Sunday morning walk - which can be taken at your pace. It promises to be an enjoyable day out for all the family.”
Entry forms for the walk can be completed on line on www.greatwalk.org or by calling 0845 389 2244. Information is also available on www.heartfm.co.uk and from the British Heart Foundation. Closing date for entries is Friday 20th October 2006.
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