Partners involved in the scheme map out the challenge
Members of a walking-holiday co-operative helped complete a round-the-world challenge.
Outdoor retailer GO Outdoors set the target to Britain’s walkers to complete the equivalent of the earth’s circumference in 80 days.
A spokesperson for the company said: “With a matter of days to go before the 80-day event ended on 14 October, the success of the challenge to walk a combined total of over 25,000 miles still hung in the balance.
“But the support of walking and activity holidays experts HF Holidays, and their ability to reach more than 50,000 customers including many walking enthusiasts, saw a surge in the number of British walkers declaring miles walked online.”
Since July, the 80-day event has been challenging walkers young and old, eager newcomers and experienced enthusiasts alike, to discover and complete walks before declaring them online.
The Walk Around the World in 80 Days Challenge was supported by the Britain on Foot campaign.
GO Outdoors stores throughout the country hosted Basecamp events to help inspire local walkers to take part.
And outdoor brand Mammut donated free mini mammoths on sale at GO Outdoors stores throughout the country with proceeds going to mountain rescue.
GO Outdoors partnerships manager Oliver Klivert said: “We’ve been delighted that so many people were inspired to take part in the Britain on Foot 80-days challenge.
“We knew the 25,000 mile target might be close. But the backing of HF Holidays over the last few weeks was a massive boost.
“Many other walkers saw our social media updates last weekend and declared their miles too. Every stride counted.
“And we were delighted to get over the finishing line.”
HF Holidays' Laura Sims
Laura Sims, HF Holidays head of marketing and development said: “This is a wonderful challenge and one which we knew our guests and customers would want to be involved in.
“Anything that encourages more people to enjoy the outdoors will always enjoy a positive response from us.
“And we were delighted to join forces with so many prestigious businesses and outdoor organisations in this ambitious challenge.”
The challenge saw the UK’s largest outdoor retailer GO Outdoors link up with Mammut, Ordnance Survey, Mountain Rescue England and Wales, Switzerland Tourism and Walk4Life.
