Story added: 20th May 2024

Coastal Walk Challenge 2024

On Saturday 18th of May, 120 Coastal Challengers of all ages and abilities gathered on the north-Norfolk coast, preparing to tackle their chosen distance of six miles, half-marathon, or marathon, for 2024’s Coastal Walk Challenge, sponsored by Coastal Construction and Norfolk Hire.

The marathon walkers were the first to depart – leaving a misty Hunstanton at 9.30am, with the motivational shouts of our fluorescently-clad volunteers ringing in their ears.

Their twenty-six mile journey saw our walkers travel through a variety of different terrains, including sand dunes, wheat fields and salt marshes, as well as a range of picturesque Norfolk villages.

Our half-marathon and six-mile walkers departed at a slightly later time, setting off from Brancaster Staithe and Wells-Next-the-Sea respectively. By this time, the morning’s chilly mist had long since evaporated, with the beautiful spring sunshine now guiding our resilient walkers towards the finish line.

The sudden change in temperature led to the removal of coats and jackets, with the coastal cast of ’24 making the most of the village-hall pitstops in Thornham, Burnham Overy Staithe and Brancaster Staithe, as well as the ice-cream vans conveniently positioned across the sea front.

With the evening fast approaching, and tired legs and tired minds beginning to take over, the first of our walkers began to cross the finish line; just outside the football club in Wells-Next-the-Sea. Their arrival was greeted with a chorus of cheers and applause followed by our challengers embracing friends and family after a long and tiring day on the Norfolk coastline.

The warming site of familiar faces wasn’t the only thing awaiting our walkers – the mouth watering-scent of a BBQ was enough to ensure our fantastic fundraisers completed the final steps of their respective journeys!

The incredible sum of £18,000 raised by 2024’s Coastal Walk Challengers will help ensure that we continue to help drive inclusion for people with disabilities across the county.

Paul Hunter, the Foundation’s Event Manager, said:

“Every year I am taken completely aback by the support of our community, I’d like to give a huge thank you from me and the team to all our amazing walkers who have all raised an incredible amount through their efforts whilst covering their chosen distances.

A special thanks also goes out to our amazing volunteers and marshals who are instrumental in the planning and delivery of this wonderful event.”

Thanks:

The Foundation wishes to thank the following for kindly supporting the Challenge:

• Norfolk Hire – Team sponsor and vehicle support.
• Coastal Construction – Challenge Event sponsors.
• Swash Nosh for providing refreshments, sandwiches, and drinks for all our walkers and volunteers.
• Link Radio for discounted radio hire.
• Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, for use of their Cliff Top Car Park in order to host our start area for the marathon.
• Wells Town Football Club for hosting our finish line.
• Holkham Estate for providing their estate as a feature of the walk
• And finally, to our amazing volunteers, marshals and support walkers, without who events like this simply wouldn’t be possible!

Photos

Click here to view a photo gallery from the event.