Sponsored walk

[Booldawg]

I know this is a bit late in the day, but your thoughts please; I have stupidly voluntered to help out at my step-daughters sponsored walk as arranged at her school. The whole class of year 6 pupils (10-11 year olds) are expected to walk 11 miles, which crosses the South Downs. I am of the opinion that 11 miles is a fair stretch for the 'youth of today' and most children wont get much past 6 miles. What do you think?

[undercovers]

i think you will be suprised (and so will they probably) at the distance they can walk - i think they will be fine doing that, though they less active that they were in previous years child are still quite active compared to adults so will prob be fit enough for this... but pack loads of extra socks, vasaline (chaffing very painful), and plasters, good luck

p.s. when i was 10 i did a 20 mile walk for oxfam - and i was not a very active child... was in a lot of pain at the end though i seem to remember, couldn't do it now though

[catherine_s]

i think youre right, 11 miles is too much to ask for most sponsored walks, never mind one for children!

[Booldawg]

20 miles! thats not a sponsored walk thats a route march! I was often dragged around walk in Sussex as a young lad and the rule of thumb was anything over 7 miles was pretty much a killer. That was in the late 70s when lads were fit like.

The biggest danger is the kids not pacing themselves, and running around for the first 2 miles. I did 6 miles the other day with my dad who's 78 and my ankles ached for 2 days after and I'm fairly active.

[Lonnie]

Eleven miles for 10-11 year olds is way too much, unless, if you have some influence, get it staged over two or three days, with appropiate breaks, I think your looking at best, on average, 2-2 1/2 miles an hour.

But its a good cause, and its good of you to do it, Good luck.

[Booldawg]

thanks lonnie, will post an update on here after the walk tomorrow! To be honest for once in my life I'm praying for rain -it'll all be called off!

[Pippa68]

Hi Booldawg ~ you must be in the same area as me! my daughter has done a couple of sponsored walks taking her over the Downs..the first time she had to get a lift home..

The second time she managed it fine ~ although was a little sore afterwards!

Good luck..weather doesn't look too fantastic today so you may have a reprieve ;o)

[Booldawg]

well we all made it back in one piece was very muddy and Butser Hill wasnt a welcoming sight halfway through the walk. I was surprised that all the kids made it and were still in hight spirits at the end!