Over 10,500 walkers are today reflecting back on another successful year of Walk the Wight who, come rain or shine, marched on with enthusiasm, determination and strength between Bembridge and Alum Bay and everywhere in between for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.
With the sun shining on a peaceful Sunday morning, walkers arrived at Bembridge Airport for the start of the 22nd Walk the Wight. As the klaxon sounded at 06:30, thousands began their journey up Culver Down with those running taking the lead.
Just ten minutes after the official start, walkers began to reach the peak of Culver before making tracks to Brading and onwards to Carisbrooke for the halfway checkpoint.
Stopping for a quick break at The Bugle in Brading High Street, walkers continued on through the historic town and up to Brading Downs, with stunning views across the East coast of the Island.
Still, under the glorious sun, the breeze started to pick up as the first walkers reached Carisbrooke’s checkpoint, captured walkers carrying on to Alum Bay, a whole 26.5 miles, and those starting from Carisbrooke for the shorter 14-mile half-course.
For those finishing their walk at the checkpoint, medals were collected while others took a well-deserved rest and a bite to eat before continuing around the back of Carisbrooke Castle and onwards to Brighstone.
Starting at 09:30, the Flat Walk between Sandown and Shide was once again popular this year as walkers took on a shorter challenge of approximately 8 miles, a gentle stroll mainly along cycle tracks to the finish at Shide, where finishers were greeted with a band and much-needed refreshments.
A few clouds started to creep in with a cold breeze when lunchtime approached as walkers reached Brook en-route to Freshwater Bay.
Things took a turn for the worse as the rain hit the West Wight with the majority of walkers on the last leg of Walk the Wight across Tennyson Down.
The finish line at The Needles Park in the downpour, with many walkers soaked head to toe but with spirits still high as they collected their medals on completion of 2013’s Walk the Wight.
