Hazel’s story:-
“I arrived at The MoonWalk London as a solo walker but left with such incredible memories of an amazing night. I’d recommend to anyone who has reservations about signing up on their own to just do it – at The MoonWalk you are never alone.
Before completing The MoonWalk London (at the age of 71), I’d never done a walking marathon, although I had once climbed to the summit of Ben Nevis for charity. Then during lockdown, I started walking because we were allowed out for an hour a day and I discovered I enjoyed it. I liked walking around my local area and after lockdown, I was doing slightly crazy things like walking the length of my local bus route and later taking the tube up to London and walking the 17 miles back home.
I wanted to do something really tangible with this new-found love of long-distance walking.
And that’s where The MoonWalk came in! I saw an interview online with Walk the Walk’s ambassador Harriet Thorpe, talking about the event and the money it’s raised. I thought straight away – I could do that! My family thought I was a little mad signing up for my first ever walking marathon – on my own. However – I was determined and decided I was going to do it anyway! I signed up for the Full Moon (26.2 miles).
The day of The MoonWalk arrived and to start with, I was actually more nervous about taking part on my own, than achieving the distance, which I knew I could do. I decided not to arrive at Clapham Common too early, but even before I got there, I bumped into other MoonWalkers on the tube. This put me at ease and I walked with them to the MoonWalk Arena. They showed me where to go – I wandered round a bit to get my bearings, then found a place to stand near the main arena stage.
That’s a really good place to go if you’re on your own. There was lots happening on the stage, including live music and interviews with other MoonWalkers, with Walk the Walk’s Founder Nina Barough and ambassador Harriet Thorpe (who had inspired me to be there in the first place). There was lots to take in and it distracted me, calming my nerves!
It was at the front of the stage that I then got talking to another MoonWalker, who was wearing the same colour walker number as me – yellow. I asked her if she was there on her own – and she was! When the time came, we made our way together to the start line.
Although it was very busy at the start – an excellent atmosphere – the lady and I managed to stay together and started walking together. Because there were so many people in those early miles, I didn’t feel like I could walk at the pace I’d been training at. But actually, I didn’t want to! I wanted to feel right at the heart of what was happening, to look around me and take it all in.
I loved walking in the company of the lady who I’d only just met. We chatted as we walked, but I made sure that I looked forward and back every so often too. It was really inspiring seeing so many other people, all on the same journey as us. I found it so empowering watching thousands of people simply walking together through London – there were people wearing decorated bras and bra t-shirts as far as the eye could see. Some were walking in silence, others were chatting to each other. It was a wonderful experience and I will never forget it. I could really sense that we were all taking on our walking challenges for the same purpose.
The lady and I continued walking together, helping each other along the way, slowing down when necessary.
At 17 miles (the Royal Albert Hall) she wanted to give up so, but with some words of encouragement we kept on going. At 20 miles, she wasn’t sure she would finish, but with the training we had done separately I knew we would and we did, carrying on to the end. Wow – what an achievement. There were tears of joy and hugs, we had done it.
Walking onto Clapham Common, seeing that huge pink inflatable arch was just unbelievable. I remember that there were groups of people by the finish line – friends and family waiting for their loved ones – who cheered us on and congratulated us, as did the lovely volunteers on the finish line.
Medals were put round our necks – to be honest, I’d totally forgotten about that bit, but it felt great! I gave the lady I’d walked with the whole way a huge hug as we admired our medals. She told me that she couldn’t have completed the walk without me, which was such a kind thing to say. However, I was also so grateful to her and glad that as a lone walker at the start of the night, I had met someone with whom I shared my MoonWalk.
We started together, walked together, talked together (I knew quite a bit about her, by the end!) and finished together. Just amazing. Even if we hadn’t met, to walk on my own in that incredible atmosphere would still have been unforgettable. You are never actually on your own at a MoonWalk and constantly feel like a small, but very important part of a huge movement.
I drank in every single second, I really did. In the days which followed, I started remembering little details of the night – a street we walked down or a bridge we crossed, recollecting things as they popped into my mind. Yes, I was a little nervous when I arrived ahead of the walk, but I knew that once I set off, I would be fine. Whether I met someone to walk with, or if I didn’t.
The MoonWalk was something totally new for me – I’d never done anything like it before. My advice to anyone in a similar position, thinking of signing up solo, is to just bite the bullet. Be brave, go for it and you’ll be amazed at how good you feel when you reach your goal.
Don’t’ forget to soak in your achievement, as well as everything you’ve seen and experienced along the way.
Even if you’re on your own, you won’t get lost – there are volunteers along the whole route and lots of route markers too. There are so many other people around, lots of distractions, people to chat to. I loved people-watching as well, taking in what others were wearing. Just mingling was so much fun! Someone may start talking to you and if they don’t, just talk to them! Everyone is there for the same reason, which means that you’ve all got something in common already.
As well as my memories, of course I still have my medal – it’s fantastic to go back and look at it every so often, touch it and think “I did that” and feel very proud of what I’ve achieved. I was thrilled to raise more than £820 for Walk the Walk too, which hugely exceeded my expectations. What a night!
I am still walking and enjoying it, so who knows, I may do it all again next year – I would have no fear of being on my own, you are never alone at The MoonWalk”.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Fancy following in Hazel’s footsteps? At The MoonWalk, everyone is incredibly welcome – whether you arrive on your own or as part of a team.