The Big Night

Where is my bra, T shirt, hat etc

They are being sent from 16th May

Your pack contains:

• Bra to decorate (if yours doesn't fit then try our swapshop!)
  
• Walker number
• Bag numbers to attach to your bag if you have one to store
• Your event T-shirt
• Event Cap
  
• All Weather Protector (the plastic item, to wear if the weather is not great)
• Space Blanket (the foil item, to wear once you cross the finish line)

Your final information booklet will be emailed separately

What time do I need to arrive?

Full Marathon walkers will need to arrive between 8.30 and 9.15 pm on Saturday 8th June

Half Marathon and New Moon walkers will need to arrive between 8.00 and 8.30 pm on Saturday 8th June

If your group has both Half and Full walkers then please choose the time that applies to most of you. There is no need to call the Walk the Walk office.

There will be no admittance into MoonWalk City before 8.00 pm

Where is the start / finish?

This will be in Leith Links, Edinburgh for both the Half and Full marathon. The main entrance to the park is on the corner of Links Gardens and Gladstone Place / Claremont Park, EH6 7QR.

The map here will give you specific location details.

Will the entry gates close?

Yes. The gates will close during the evening but we do not know when, just ensure that you are in Leith Links at your allotted time.

Do I need to register on the night?

You will NOT need to register when you arrive

NO number NO entry!If you have misplaced your number before you get to MoonWalk City please let us know.

What time will I start my challenge?

Each walker is given a coloured walker number and matching bag tag, the colour of your number indicates the area that you need to be in the tent and which of the three starts you will be in. Each coloured start will be invited to the start line when it is time for that colour to go.

The order of starts for 2013 is: first Yellow, then Orange, then Pink

We are only permitted to start a certain number of walkers at any time so please do wait in the pink tent  until your colour is invited to the start line. By co-operating with us, it will help to avoid congestion in the early stages of the walk and allow you and your fellow walkers the best chance of walking at your own pace. But please remember The MoonWalk Edinburgh is not a race.

Our Marshals will move any walker not in their correct starting colour group back to their correct position. Make sure that you base yourself in the right area of our fantastic pink tent...

Please remember: we do not know the specific start times as this depends on getting final confirmation from the Police that the route is clear.

What happens if my start colour is different to my friends?

If members of your group or walking partner have listed a different finishing time to you, you may have been separated. If you would still like to walk together please join the PINK start only.

We would kindly ask that you do not call us to try and get moved to another start colour, as we are genuinely unable to transfer your start to any other colour.

All things to do with the route

Where does the route go?

Unfortunately at the request of the Police and Council, we are unable to publicise where the route will be on this website. If you have entered, this information will be available in your Final Information Book.

But as a rough guide: from the start in Leith Links you will head back into the city towards Arthurs Seat and around Holyrood Park. Then towards Princes Street, Dean Village (where the half and full split.). Then on to Murrayfield Golf Course.  Then on to Silverknowes and along the coast towards Leith, then down to Portabello and back via the edge of Holyrood and towards Leith

Pavements

We often get asked why we can’t have all the roads shut and why do it on pavements or even why do it at night!  Closing roads is not an option as the Police feel that it would be dangerous, firstly because traffic in the capital travels faster at night and secondly because drivers would not be expecting to come up on closed roads, that is apart from the extortionate cost that would be incurred to the charity of (£100,000's) for closing the roads.

We walk at night because that's what makes the event what it is!

Although we walk on the pavements we can't control the quality of them: we plan the route to take your safety into account as far as we possibly can, but please always be aware of where you are walking!

Traffic Lights

As we walk on pavements it does mean that you will encounter traffic lights. These are heavily marshalled and in certain cases the police also lend a hand in prioritising us over the traffic. But this is only on specific crossings. This does mean that occasionally some hold ups do occur - please be patient. Remember you are not in a race.

Keep The MoonWalk Clean from Your Litter!

Walk the Walk has a recycling policy in operation at all its challenges. Tons of plastic and cardboard are recycled each year with everybody’s help!

Please be considerate – both in MoonWalk City and on the Route: we have many of these bins all along the route and at each of the toilet and water stops. If you have something to throw away please wait until you see a bin.

We have to clear the entire route ourselves after everyone has passed.

The bra - do I have to wear it and do men have to wear one?

Wearing a bra to take on a challenge is the Walk the Walk trademark and one of the reasons we manage to raise so much awareness and money for our vital causes. We know how much courage it can take to go out onto the streets wearing a bra( we absolutely do not wear them over T shirts) but we can promise you that within a few minutes of being in the company of so many thousands of others it will feel like the most normal thing to be doing. However if you are thinking that it is not for you and feel very self-conscious… then read on!

Firstly, you won’t be alone, one thing we can guarantee is that every age, shape and size will be at The MoonWalk! There are many clever ways to decorate your bra which will give you more confidence on the night, and disguise those bits that you might not want to share. Why not read more about our decorating tips here

And for our menfolk taking part… yes it applies to you too! Just remember it is about raising awareness and most men taking part will be wearing bras. Evidently the cups make great pockets and many men are seen using them as pockets for storing  power bars and mobile phones! In fact some of our most over the top efforts come from the gentlemen!

Just remember wearing the bra is about having fun and rasing awareness!

All about food!

We will serve you either pasta or rice (according to your entry form) before the walk but there are no other food stalls available - so if you would like something else please bring it with you.

All the ingredients for the Pasta and Rice meals are organic and quite delicious!

Please check the ingredients' boards by the food servery in the main tent if you suspect you have any allergies, however all the food is squeaky clean with no additives. But here they are if you want to know before hand:

Organic Pasta with Vege-mince and Vegetables
Vegemince sauce (67%) cooked pasta (33%) Sauce: tomatoes (54%) onions (17%) Mushrooms (10%) water, tomato puree,Sunflower oil , vegetable bouillon, lemon juice, corn starch, sea salt, sugar, garlic puree, basil, oregano, black pepper. Vegetable bouillon contains sea salt, yeast extract, rice flour, vegetables (onion, celery,carrot, parsley), palm oil (sourced from sustainable plantations), turmeric

Cooked pasta contains pasta, water, olive oil and sea salt

Organic Stir Fried Vegetables with Brown Rice

Cooked rice (41%) cauliflower (20%)Leeks (12%), mushroom (8%) carrots (8%) sesame oil, soya sauce (gluten free,) sunflower oil, coriander,Lemon juice, garlic puree, ginger puree, sea salt, vegetable bouillon, black pepper, Vegetable bouillon contains sea salt, yeast, Extract, rice flour, vegetables (onion, celery, carrot, parsley), palm oil (sourced from sustainable plantations), turmeric

Organic Banana Cake

Wheat flour, cane sugar, bananas, Sunflower oil, eggs,  soda bicarbonate , Sea salt

Organic Carrot Cake

Wheat flour, cane sugar, fresh carrot, Sunflower oil, eggs,  coconut, water, orange oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, soda Bicarbonate, sea salt
 

All items are organic, veggie and or squeaky clean (No GM etc!)

Transport - Trains, Taxi's, Bus and Walking

Train and Bus
The main station in Edinburgh and the most convenient one for transport connections to Leith Links is Waverley Station, located in the city centre. From there it is 2 miles to The MoonWalk Edinburgh.

Map here

http://www.lothianbuses.com/

www.firstgroup.com.

Taxis
Taxis are plentiful from Waverley Station, either from the main concourse or if queues are long, there is another taxi rank on Waverley Bridge. Estimated journey time 25 - 40 minutes depending on the volume of traffic.

Walking
As you are already feeling fit and ready to go, walking may be a good option to get your limbs loosened up. Distance from Waverley Station is 2 miles estimated journey time approximately 30 minutes depending on walking speed.

Transport - Car, Coach and Plane

Car
We would advise all walkers to travel to Links Gardens by public transport to avoid congestion in the area. There are bus services and plenty of taxis leaving Waverley Station. However, if you must travel by car, please be aware that there will be NO parking in the park at any time. If you need to park in Edinburgh please use the NCP car parks as there is little street parking in the area.

Coach
There is NO coach parking in Leith Links.There is also no waiting and your driver must stay with the coach whilst everyone gets off. Your coach company or driver must make their own arrangements for parking – there is no parking in Leith Links at any time.

Plane
If you are flying into Edinburgh there is an express bus service from the airport to the city centre which runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Airlink 100 terminates at Waverley Bridge, near the mainline station and tickets can be bought from a desk at the bus stop or on the bus itself. See www.edinburghairport.com for further information.

Entertainment on the night!

The theme of the night is ‘Psychedelic Extravaganza' where anything goes as long as it's bright and bold!

We have a fantastic show in store for you!

What do I wear?

So that we all look the part in this amazing thousands-strong team and so you are as comfortable as possible we suggest that you wear / bring the following:

• Black leggings / shorts - Track pants, jeans etc are not suitable as the seams will rub.
• Training shoes - Please use the ones that you have been training in, now is not the time to wear new shoes.
• The Bra - You've done the training, you're feeling fit... now it's time to show off your bra. Now it doesn't mean wearing your bra over your T-shirt... not a good look and very uncomfortable, it means wearing your bra in all its splendid glory and that goes for the boys too! More tips here
• Walk the Walk T-shirt - Use this to travel to and from the event in (unless you really want to come on the bus in your bra!).
• Sweat top - Zip front and long sleeves if possible so that you can either wear it tied around your waist or over your shoulders if you get cold.
• Cap - For your own safety your hat has reflective strips, plus if your head is warm the rest of you will be so keep your hat on!
• Drinks - There will be plenty of water throughout the event. However if you feel that you would like a hot drink before you go, bring your own flask that you can then stow in your bag.

Bum bag essentials: (don't use a back pack as they will rub!)

• Lip salve, Vaseline (small pot)
• Toliet paper or tissues!
• Paper and pencil
• Some emergency cash just in case
• Camera
• Phone
• Safety pins(to attach your walker number)
  
• Small torch if you feel you need it
  
• Sunscreen (if the sun comes up you could get burnt without it...)
• Walker number (NO number, NO admittance)
• Luggage label (and elastic band to attach it to your bag)
  
• And nibbles if you need to eat on the way round!

If it's cold on the night:

• Don't hide your bra if you can possibly help it!
• You will get warm once you get walking so prepare for that before hand - you don't want to stop to take layers off!
• Once you are at the start line do the following
  
• Wear your decorated bra
• Put your see through plastic mac over the top - seriously they are very very effective and so simple
• Put your bumbag around your waist over the top of the plastic mac to keep it down and out of the way
• Wrap your fleece around your waist so it's there if you need it
• Keep your hat on... and if really cold put the hood of the plastic mac underneath your cap... or buy one of our new beanies
  
• Wear gloves
  
•  Once you get going you can simply pull your plastic mac out from under your bumbag and through it up around your neck so it's like a cape behind you. That way you can get it on easily if you get cold
• Trust us - this is the best way of looking good and keeping warm!

Is there anywhere I can leave my bag?

Yes.  There is one huge bag tent, manned by volunteers throughout the event

Things to leave in your bag that you hand in at the bag tent

• Blow up cushion or foam to sit on
• Marker pen, to write your name on your front and back so that everybody knows who to shout for!
• Change of clothes if it rains or warmer items if it's cold.
• Something nice to nibble on or your favourite hot drink for when you return (though there will be some catering sites as well)
• Spare toilet paper just in case!

What we hand out:

• Plenty of water in bottles!
• Hot meal before you set off.
  
• Your medal as you cross the Finish Line!

Top Tips - Water

There are water sites within MoonWalk City and approximately every 4 miles on the route. We advise every walker to carry a bottle of water and sip it slowly throughout the night rather than gulping it down in one go! Gulping large amounts of water will only make you want to stop for the loo!

Top Tips - Toilets

We work to a very strict Health and Safety plan on all aspects of the event. We take the number of toilets we should have for an event on this size and then we increase the number massively - we are aware that most of the walkers are ladies and consequently take a little longer in the loo. However there is not one each - so queuing is inevitable! There are 100's on the site but as the night progresses you will end up queuing! Look around the site - often people will all queue in the same spot when actually there are less busy toilets elsewhere!

Some thoughts:

• on your long training walk how many times did you stop to go to the loo?
  
• nerves play a massive part
• as does drinking too much water
• as does the cold
• as does watching everyone else going to the loo!

On the route itself, you will find toilets approximately every 3 miles (be assured that they are there, if you miss one it's not because we didn't put them out) - so how should you manage toilet stops:

1. Do not gulp large quantities of water - sip little and often
2. Agree with your walking pals when you will stop. Ask them to wait, otherwise in the few minutes it takes you to use the loo, your pals will be a few hundred yards away and you will have to run to catch up
3. Do not queue if you have to - if at all possible take a short walk to the next ones. 
4. If you reach toilets with a long queue try to keep walking to the next lot. By stopping your body temperature will quickly drop and can make you feel faint.
   
5. Please do not urinate or anything else in the street, just remember that Walk the Walk have to clear up after you and that means everything!
6. The spacing on the route is planned that way - not everywhere will allow toilets to be placed

At the end of the day try and put it into context if you have to queue - remember why you are taking part and that this is not a race!

Weather protectors and space blankets

The weather protector is in the clear plastic bag and is fantastic for keeping the elements off whilst allowing you to wear that bra with pride. It does keep you very warm. Don't take it out of the bag until you need it!

The space blanket is the foil item and should be worn after you cross the finish line. Its also a great reflector and should be tied over your bumbag as you walk

In previous years we have handed these out on the night but sadly many people took more than they needed or discarded the ones they were given. This costs the charity a lot of money.

For the first time we have sent these out in your final packs. If you forget to bring yours on the night or want to have more then we will be asking for a minimum £1 donation per item

I am walking on my own!

Even though you may be coming on your own, you will not be on your own for long, and many new friendships are formed over the miles of The MoonWalk.

You could meet other walkers now by joining our Forum , we will also have a Forum Meeting Point in the pink tent so if you have been chatting online it’s a great place to meet! There is more information to follow on this but introduce yourself on our Forum and you may be able to meet up on the night with others!

And you most certainly won’t be walking on your own!

The Finish Line

Hooray you made it! As you reach the Finish Line you will see a band of eager marshals all waiting to welcome you home! Here are a couple of things to remember. There is quite a bit of information in your booklet but here are a few key things

• Timing clocks: there are timing clocks - we use them to count down each challenge and they are there for your own use. The MoonWalk is NOT a race there are no prizes for coming first - everyone has their reason for taking part and your own personal satisfaction for crossing the line is what matters. We also recognise that some walkers do train very hard and do want to obtain a "time" - the clocks are therefore for your own use, not ours.
  
• Music: many who cross the line wonder why there is no loud music playing. Simply put we are not allowed to - even though you have been up all night, Leith Links is in a residential area and many will still be sleeping! Instead enjoy the clapping and shouts from the huge number of volunteers handing out medals and the supporters who are waiting for you. Revel in your own achievement - enjoy the moment
• Leaving MoonWalk City: you've crossed the line, picked up your medal and collected your bag now you would like to go home... please head for the EXIT! Sometimes tired walkers see the Finish Line as the easiest exit to head for... loved ones are there and it may seem like a long way to walk to the Exit. But please keep the Finish area for those crossing the line only and let them enjoy their "moment of glory" and help our volunteers keep everyone flowing through... just think there may be thousands of walkers behind you.

On the question of medals

Q What happens if I don’t manage to complete the challenge that I have entered?

A Sadly there are some people that for many different reasons do not manage to cross the finish line. Whilst we have the utmost admiration and congratulate everybody for entering the challenge, we can not give medals to non-finishers as it would diminish the value to those people that do stay the course - after all completion is part of the challenge!

Q What happens if I entered the Half Moon and then decided on the night to complete a Full Marathon?

A By continuing to walk the Full Marathon route, you will be breaking our health and safety requirements and marshals will request that you leave the course. No matter how many extra miles you may cover you will still only receive a Half Marathon Medal.

Q What happens if I entered the Full Moon and then decide to only complete a Half Moon?

A You will not receive a medal as you have not completed your chosen challenge.

Please do not request a medal as it causes embarrassment for the volunteers that are following event instructions.

I've Finished and now I am hungry and thirsty!

Food, Glorious Food!

We do have some caterers after the challenge, who are all situated in front of the Exit. They are chosen by us to meet our requirement of producing good tasty food that is either organic or squeaky clean - we are a health charity after all and very keen to keep people healthy! Consequently the food may well be a little more expensive than you might usually expect from a "burger van" but it is usually worth it and we would welcome your views.

If you do not want to buy tea or food, the rule of thumb is, bring it with you and keep it in a flask or box inside your bag and leave it in the bag tent for you to collect when you come back. We strongly recommend that you eat and drink after you cross the Finish Line, it will have been hours since your last hot food or drink and your body will be craving it.

Top Tips - Friends, Familly and Supporters

5 easy steps to make sure that you and your supporters get to see each other and have a great night!

1. ONLY PARTICIPANTS with walker numbers can enter MoonWalk City. Arrange for your supporters to head for the suggested viewing spots on the route map.
2. Please ask family and friends not to stand on the same side of the road as the walkers as this causes congestion and is unfair to all those taking part.
3. Supporters wanting to wait at the finish line can be admitted into the park on foot only.
4. There is NO exit for Walkers out of the Finish Line. When you are completing your challenge, please do NOT ask friends and family to come through the Finish Line with you.  Arrange to meet them outside MoonWalk City at the Exit.
5. Please do not ask supporters to join you on the walk, previously this resulted in many more people being on the pavement than was expected. We have been informed by the police that if this happens again the event could be stopped which would be very sad for everybody.

Photographs of the night

There are 3 sets of photographers on the night

1. Photographers employed by Walk the Walk to record the events for literature, this website, etc
2. Press from National Newspapers and Picture Agencies
3. Action Photo are our official photographers at the event from whom you will be able to purchase images of yourself or your team. They will have a base inside the main tent and also around the Finish Line. Once the event has happened it takes a several days for them to upload all the pictures and photos. Once they have done that then you will also be emailed by them and information will appear on this website.
   

How do you recover?

You completed the challenge - well done! For all the tips you need on how to take care of yourself after the challenge read page 19 of your Training Guide.

We have masseuses at the start of the night but not at the end. The contraindications with massage straight after a marathon are well known. It would also mean that the masseuses who are all volunteers would have to be around for a very long time.

My familly or supporters are travelling a long way - is there anything for them to do?

Yes! Why not get them to become one of our treasured volunteers? With several shifts available we can put them to work whilst you walk and then you can all meet up together at the end. Lots of people become volunteers this way.

Learn more...

I think I may need help on the night...!

Well we might not be able to help you if you haven't trained enough but if you do need help when you are at MoonWalk City then come along to our Help Desk - the main one will be just near the Entrance and will be open sometime before the site itself opens. It's also a good spot to meet as well!

How can I stay in touch with Walk the Walk on the night?

This being the social media year (!) we will be posting regular updates and pictures to our Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the night (well as long as Guy's iPhone battery lasts). Join them ahead of the night

Facebook page

Twitter page

Taking part in Over The Moon

Please see here

Taking part in The New Moon

Please see here