In a bid to encourage people to be more active and healthy, Gateshead Council has organised a programme of free walks this month, by completing a range of one to five mile walks around the borough, from Saltwell Park to Chopwell Woods.
The council hopes participants will cover the virtual distance of 1045 miles from prestigious Gateshead International Stadium via each of the London 2012 Olympic venues in Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester, Coventry, Weymouth, Essex, Lee Valley, Eton Dorney and London.
Cabinet member for health at Gateshead Council, Councillor Mary Foy, said, “Walking is a popular exercise that is a great way of keeping active and healthy – and even better than that – it’s free to everyone. By organising a series of walks and publishing routes on the internet, we hope to give people the motivation they might need to go for a leisurely stroll more often, or to take up walking as a new hobby.
“Gateshead is the European City of Sport for 2010 and as part of that we are making a range of activities available more widely. The challenge has also received the London 2012 Inspire mark, which is awarded to those projects and events that are genuinely inspired by the London 2012 Games and is a perfect way to begin to build a legacy for the Olympics.”
People interested in walking and registering their own miles can find more information and routes online at
http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/walkthisway">
www.gateshead.gov.uk/walkthisway|