The Rise of the Walking Marathon

  • As thousands of runners prepare to take on The London Marathon on Sunday 27 April and the Edinburgh Marathon Festival at the end of May, you might be wondering: could I complete a marathon?
  • Many people feel inspired by the challenge of a marathon, but are not runners, sparking the rise of the walking marathon!

Taking your first steps to conquering a marathon

  • Cancer charity Walk the Walk offers a feel-good way to fulfil your marathon dreams with The MoonWalk London 2025 and The MoonWalk Scotland 2025
  • The MoonWalk is the original 26.2 miles overnight walking marathon
  • It takes place on Saturday 17th May 2025, starting and finishing at Clapham Common, London and on Saturday 6th September 2025, starting and finishing at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh
  • For those who are new to walking for fitness, Walk the Walk also offers an overnight half marathon, as well as a family friendly 5K ZOOM Walk on the morning of each MoonWalk, designed for all ages and abilities

The Power of Walking

  • Why not take the plunge, sign up for a walking challenge and make walking a regular habit?
  • May 2025 marks National Walking Month, spotlighting the simple but powerful benefits of walking for both physical and mental wellbeing.
  • A survey** commissioned by cancer charity Walk the Walk reveals:
    • 82% of adults say walking boosts their mood and mental health
    • 69% go for a walk at least once or twice a week to support their wellbeing
  • In a fast-paced world, walking is proving to be one of the most accessible and effective tools for self-care

Sarah Toule, 41. From Melbourn, Cambridgeshire was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 aged just 40 and is taking on the Full Moon (26.2 miles) at this year’s MoonWalk London. She said

“I’ve never done a marathon before – and I’m not a runner – but completing a marathon has always been on my bucket list. After a hard year, I’m feeling strong and loving all the training walks with all the local school mums in our MoonWalk team. By completing my first marathon, if I can help even one other person like me, I will be very happy”.

Angela Mairs, 58 from Livingston was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, following a routine mammogram. She’ll be taking on her second Full Moon (26.2miles) at this year’s MoonWalk Scotland.

“The MoonWalk Scotland 2019 was my first ever marathon – I’d never done anything like it before. Although it was a tough challenge, I felt such a huge sense of achievement when I finished. Having now been diagnosed with breast cancer myself, this time my marathon will be very personal. I need to build up my stamina following all my treatment and all the training I’ll need to do before September will give me a fantastic focus.”

Sign up now for all Walk the Walk’s events at www.walkthewalk.org

Interviews available:-

  • Walk the Walk Founder and Chief Executive Nina Barough CBE, who can talk about walking for mental and physical health, as well as training and preparing for a walking marathon. Nina has completed more than 150 full walking marathons and numerous half marathons
  • MoonWalk participants like Sarah Toule and Angela Mairs, who live throughout the UK

**One Poll, Jan 2025

-Ends-

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information and to book interviews, contact:

The MoonWalk London 2025

  • Saturday 17th May 2025, Clapham Common
  • From 10.15am: 5K ZOOM Walk, open to all ages and abilities
  • From midnight: Full Moon (26.2 miles) or Half Moon (15.1 miles) – thousands of women and men wearing decorated bras and brightly coloured bra t-shirts, raising money and awareness for breast and other cancers

The MoonWalk Scotland 2025

  • Saturday 6th September 2025, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh
  • From 10.15am: 5K ZOOM Walk, open to all ages and abilities
  • From midnight: Full Moon (26.2 miles) or Half Moon (13.1 miles) – women and men wearing decorated bras and brightly coloured bra t-shirts, raising money and awareness for breast and other cancers

Walk the Walk

  • Walk the Walk is a cancer charity, which is passionate about encouraging women and men to become fitter and healthier and to take control of their own well-being
  • The charity is best known as the organiser of its flagship overnight MoonWalk fundraising events in London, Scotland and Iceland
  • Walkers taking part in these events wear the charity’s statement decorated bras or brightly coloured bra t-shirts, to raise awareness, as well as funds for cancer prevention and research, and for the emotional and physical care of those living with cancer
  • Walk the Walk specialises in creating walking challenges and treks ranging from 5km to 100 miles and more
  • Walk the Walk also started the campaigns that Men Can Get Breast Cancer Too, and Anyone Can Get Breast Cancer, raising awareness for men
  • Walk the Walk has raised in excess of £143 million to date