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Location:London UK
The 11th MoonWalk promised to be something special - an eclectic mix of Bollywood meets Rock n Roll and it did not disappoint. With a dance and a swing it went off in true MoonWalk style!
It begins...
The day began when a team of 20 wonderful volunteers arrived at Playtex City for 9am to pack 15,000 organic flapjacks into bags! Whilst most of them ended up with sticky fingers, like all of our treasured volunteers there were smiles galore. Walk the Walk also appeared on BBC Breakfast and Sky as well as on the Capitals radio stations - the excitement was beginng to mount!
Look at them go!
As our Bollywood drummers led the walkers into the City, walkers streamed left and right...some seeking toilets, others wanting to buy balloons or T shirts in WalkWear...camps were found in the pink tent, photographs were taken by Action Photo, organic meals were eaten, Scal Coolers were tried on and feet were given expert attention by New Balance...it was all go, go, go! Our fantatic massuses were busy soothing those last minute tensions and the queue for a tattoo or two snaked through the tent!
Music please...
And on the stage, well the MoonWalk had never seen anything like it! Our host Russ Kane called it 'cheese and pickle' mixing Bollywood and Rock n Roll but it was really East meets West! And best of all there were thousands and thousands of you that really embraced the theme - you all looked amazing! As Nina says "...decorated bras are best worn on bodies and not over a T shirt!" With our host Caryn Franklin donning a plastic weather protector the night was complete but not without what was the most moving minute silence we have ever witnessed. All of us at Walk the Walk thought that energy was simply indescribable - we hope you did to.
...and they're off!
1,2,3....GO! All 4 starts left Hyde Park and the Mardis Gras of marathons got under way. It was cold to begin with but after a few miles bodies warmed up and off came the jackets and out came the bras! This is what we are all about - it is our way of saying to the world what we represent and it is unique to us. There is nothing quite like the sight of 15,000 brad clad women (and some very over or is that under dressed men!) streaming past such iconing sites as The Eye, London Bridge or for those shoppers out there Harrods! The volunteers were in fine voice and the 'bra mobiles' zoomed their way around the streets.
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" I completed the half moon on Sunday morning and would like to say a big thank-you to all the volunteers and route marshals. Every-one along the route and in the tent were really friendly and supportive. After I finished I took a taxi home from Hyde Park corner and my trip took me along the walk route up until Tower Bridge. Even though we had only started the walk 3 and a half hours before the streets and pavements were completely clear of rubbish and it did not look like a mass of jovial women had just power walked through. For days after the London Marathon I noticed litter lying in the street. I was very impressed. Thank-you so much for a really well run event. " Elayne
Just the beginning
Shortly after 2 hours the first of the half mooners made there way back to the finish line for smiles, tears and medals! And that emotion is the way that stayed at the Finish line all the way through to mid day on Sunday. Even though the MoonWalk is not a race it was fantastic to see that so many of you had embraced your training plans - all of us could really see the difference it made.
So as I write this Playtex City is being boxed away for another year but the Pink tent (yes it really is the size of two football pitches...end on end!) is travelling with us as we head North to The Edinburgh MoonWalk in June. But for those of you who feel like another challenge then why not come and join us at our daytime events The SunWalks in Bristol and Newcastle...even better bring the familly as well! Or even better just suggest to one person you know that they should come and join in the Walk the Walk magic!
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" Just to say, I had a really fantastic time as a volunteer. Having done the half and the full marathon before it was great to be helping and see things from the other side, so to speak. It makes you appreciate how much work goes into this event and I still am amazed and filled with awe on seeing so many women and men set out on this event. Thank you once again. " Karen (volunteer)
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" The Moonwalk has arrived and gone and I finished it! Not only am I happy that I took part in this very worthwhile fundraising event but the sense of achievement I have is incredible. I wanted to thank you for your help in the run up to this event. I attach a picture of me in my walking “costume” with medal, there were six of us in the group like this but I don’t have a group shot unfortunately. Please may I also take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful volunteers that helped during this event. They gave us all wonderful encouragement throughout the night and morning. I hope they realise how much their well wishes and motivating words helped everyone complete this walk. " Alison
So what happens now?
If we have inspired you to get fitter and approach your life in a new way then help us to complete the circle and send in your sponsorship as soon as possible. We have a big target to hit but we know that with all of your support will get there!
Don't forget now that you have achieved your goal let everyone know about it and take a look at our special edition, limited Finishers T shirts here
Debs Story
Well I suppose after last year and swearing I'll never do it again ...........we were back for the 2008 instalment.We got there in plenty of time to bag a bit of floor space and eat our food while waiting for the off. We were due to start at 11pm, got a little delayed - but we were still in the first group off and went "under" the start at 23:35hrs.
Walking with Peter ( my husband ) was a godsend as were paced each other, walking at a great pace , averaging 12/13 minute miles.Things sailed by until about 16 miles when we both started to feel the "wall" coming - a text message from our daughter Michelle, and our soon to arrive grandson, couldn't have arrived at a better time - it really cheered us up and spurred us on - as did the text from my friend Emma, who was up feeding her new son in the early hours of the morning.
This year I knew Fiona and crew would be at the finish - I told her we'd finish between 6-7 o'clock because Pete and I weren't sure how good we'd walk together over the full distance. At the 17/18/19th mile I really don't know who was willing the other on more - me or Peter. The language between us silent for a while, but it was one of the stages in your life when with your most "loved" person, when you just know if they weren't there - god only knows how you'd do it. The pain at this stage was almost unbearable for both of us. Anyone who says "oh- you only walked it, I could do 26 miles walking " or something similar - I challenge you to do just that - do it - then come back and tell me that the challenge isn't as much mental as it is physical. Your body is telling you to stop - you've had enough - you've been up all day, and should be asleep, not punishing your body - your brain is saying push on, you can do it - it's a truly amazing bit of kit, not to be under-valued in events such as this.
I got great satisfaction, and had a little giggle to myself, that when I texted Fiona at 20 miles at 4am, this year it was me that was having the joke ! Fiona had to get her kids up and into London in a hurry - ha ha !! And the rest is just the magic of the Moonwalk. Peter and I were both forcing every step as the 26 mile passed. At first, just like last year, I couldn't see Fiona, but I was looking for her. When I did see her, bouncing up and down in a bright Pink coat at 530am in the morning - I started to cry ........... just seeing her makes me realise why Pete and I were doing this, why it is so important, and once again why 5 hrs and 55 minutes of endurance is nothing on the grand scale of what she battles, every day. If every step was the gift of life I'd do it again and again and again.
So, with two medals I would like to thank everyone again for sponsoring us. Over 4 years I have raised in excess of £5000. To Peter, my very best friend, and most wonderful team mate in the world - couldn't have made it this year with out you. To Simon, Sophie and James - team CROMPTON - what an fantastic boost it was to see you all there waiting for us again - really grateful you made the effort at that early hour just to see us over the line. And Fiona ......................... fight on, I love you, and NEVER FORGET just what an inspirational and amazing woman you are. My hero .................... xxxx
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" What a weekend!!! The London Moonwalk was my 5th Moonwalk and wow ... what a night!!! Once again the rain stopped just in time and even though the temperature was a little low ... the atmosphere was electric. I have so many images of the night!! The snake of pink hats winding along the paths of Hyde Park waiting to get into the tent ... the smiles ... the bras ... the landmarks ... London really did look so beautiful!!! The volunteers, once again, did an amazing job. Quite how they keep their enthusiasm going throughout the night is beyond me. At every corner, traffic light and road crossing I was met with smiles and encouragement and even a hug!!!! I feel so lucky to have been part of such an amazing experience ... Thank you WalktheWalk!! Next month I will be flying up to Scotland to take part in the Edinburgh Moonwalk and I know it will be yet another wonderful night ... even with all those hills!!! Happy walking. PS ... It was such a shame people couldn't have waited a few extra minutes at the start without the inappropriate shouting and singing ... what's a few minutes when you are gonna be out on the roads for a good number of hours. Nina looked so upset by it ... I really hope it didn't spoil her night!! " Zoe Orrin
Press coverage
Sometimes we get asked if we get any national coverage - well we are pleased to say that we get quite a lot! Here's a run down....
On TV:
BBC Breakfast a Saturday morning feature with Dr Rosemary Leonard and Nicky Hambleton-Jones which mentioned the event night, Walk the Walk and the scalp coolers donation to The Royal Marsden.
BBC National News a beakfast news bulletin on Sunday
ITN News - National breakfast bulletin on Sunday.
ITV London - news at Breakfast and lunchtime news featured event footage.
Sky News - event footage and interview with Suranne Jones which was repeated all through the day on Sunday
On the web:
We also appeared on the radio:
BBC Radio 5 Live –Steve Nolan show , an interview with Corrie starSuranne Jones on route
Talksport - live interviews with walkers on route
Capital - event information in news bulletins.
Heart - good luck messages to Playtex MoonWalk wakers on Saturday
LBC - live feeds from event and through night with presenter Jo Parkinson as she walked.
Smooth FM - multiple features through the weekend, live from event with presenters Lynne Parsons and Sandy Warr including Paxman Coolers mention.
Radio One - Playtex MoonWalk mention on the Sara Cox show
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" Just wanted to say thanks for a fab day. We have walked it 3 times before but our bodies were not up to it this year and so we are glad we were able to help on the day. It was good to see what happens behind the scenes as, as a walker, you only see what is in front of you and we couldn't believe how much organisation it takes and we thought how great the organisation was. We were impressed by the fact that the last walkers are marshalled in and so no one is left alone, which I think is great. " Sarah (volunteer)