On
Saturday 10th May, around 3,000 walkers set off from Keswick to make the 40
mile journey on foot to Barrow and in doing so, raising lots of money for
various charities. Among the masses were a team of 10 ladies and
gentlemen from E.S.K.K Martial Arts & Fitness, including Founder/Chief
Instructor Chris Denwood and Fitness & Lifestyle Manager Jenny Ling.
Only one of the team (David Forsythe) had done the walk previously so it was an
unknown challenge for everyone else. We hoped for good weather or at least
dry weather to make the walk as pleasant as possible, but unfortunately, luck
was not on our side.
The weather did its worst with heavy rain for the first 5 hours or so, with
frequent heavy showers after that. It didn't go to plan! However,
since Mother Nature was trying to do her best to ensure us a tough challenge,
we decided that we'd pull together our E.S.K.K team spirit (which is second to
none by the way) and meet the course face to face, leaving no one behind.
We were undertaking the walk in aid of the local "Give us a
Break" charity, which helps very sick children and their families with
some respite. Therefore, short of having injuries to prevent us putting one
foot in front of the other, no one was planning to give up.
Thoughts
of chasing a "good time" had to be forgotten early on after blisters
began to appear due to wet feet from floods. Existing injuries began to
make themselves known and our pace dropped to a hobble.
The aim for the walk was to start and finish as a team, no matter how long it
took. In typical E.S.K.K manner, everyone in the team (including
the 'gazelles' selflessly stuck together as we helped each other get to the
end.
Although our finishing time won't be breaking any world speed records, we were
one of the few teams who took every step together and official results showing
our ten names consecutively over the line.
After
Emma Louise Nicholls met us at the 18 mile mark with food and hot drinks, Julie
Wilson's parents brought their camper van out to Lowick for a welcome break
with 5 hours walking still left to go! We certainly couldn't have
completed this challenge (and finish together) without each other's help and
the kind support from fellow members. This is 'how we roll' and is
something that makes us so proud!
We'd like
to say a BIG THANK YOU to the following people...
David Jones: for driving his minibus at 3am (!) to collect us all
and get us safely to the start.
Emma Louise Nicholls: for meeting us with food and drink at
Coniston and support at the finish.
Julie Wilson's Parents: for food and drink at Lowick and
welcome lifts home.
Kara Smallman: for meeting us all for the photo call and
lifts home at the end.
The Wonderful K2B Volunteers: who kept us safe along the way.
The Fantastic First Aid Crew: our feet wouldn't have got to Barrow
without your help!
Congratulations to Team E.S.K.K...
Chris Denwood
Jenny Ling
Julie Wilson
Gary Wilson
John Smallman
Martin Johnson
Lisa Maxwell
Lindsay Edmiston
Kerry Wright
David Forsythe.
