Great Walk

Jo's backing the Diabetes UK Great North Walk

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jo Jackson has helped put race walking on the British sporting map – now she wants to do the same for the Diabetes UK Great North Walk.

The event – a 10-mile Sunday walk through some stunning countryside on the edge of the North York Moors national park – is being staged on 10 July and Jo, who is from nearby Marske-by-the-Sea, is hoping the event will be a walk away success.

The Diabetes UK Great North Walk is now in its second year at this venue, having first been staged in 1988. It is organised by Nova International, who are also responsible for annually staging the world’s biggest and best half-marathon, the Bupa Great North Run.

The event takes in some beautiful countryside in old North Yorkshire in the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland and is perfect for families or large groups of friends.

There’s even a wheels-friendly 2-mile loop that is brilliant for pushchairs, wheelchairs or those who cannot manage to walk the full 10 miles.

The North of England’s most popular walking event – which has been staged at beauty spots across the North East of England over the last 23 years – will again start from Guisborough Forest and Walkway Visitor Centre at Pinchinthorpe where chainsaw sculptor Steve Iredale carved his wooden walker figure as walkers enjoyed the 2010 event.

The fairly challenging route that is much changed from 2010, takes in Captain Cook’s Monument, erected in 1827 to honour the 18th century explorer and navigator. This site provides panoramic views along the Cleveland Hills, across to Roseberry Topping and deep into the North Yorkshire Moors. The event has proved a remarkable hit with walkers of all ages and abilities, whether regulars or first time participants.

Jo, who won gold for England in the 20km walk at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, has become one of the world’s best race walkers and will be taking part in the 2011 Diabetes UK Great North Walk. She said: “It will be fantastic to walk at a more leisurely pace than normal and take time to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery. I live nearby and know how beautiful the countryside is here. The walk to Captain Cook’s Monument is really outstanding and there are some spectacular views.”

The 26-year-old is currently building towards the 2012 Olympics and last weekend produced an outstanding victory in a Games qualifying time of 1:31:50 at the UK 20km Race Walk Championship and Olympic test event in central London. And that was less than 24 hours after she was crowned UK Inter-Counties champion over 3,000 metres on the track in Bedford.

She added: “It will be brilliant to be part of an event like this especially as it encourages people to get more active – and it’s brilliant for families too. The walk is suitable for just about anyone so I’m hoping as many people as possible take part.”

The Diabetes UK Great North Walk is open to anyone and everyone, from babies in prams and wheelchair users to those who like either a nice stroll or a more challenging stride out.

The walk is a great social occasion where participants can enjoy the fresh air, stop for picnics along the way and enjoy the planned activities at the start and finish including children’s entertainment, climbing wall and a superb farmers’ market.

Entry into the event includes a quality limited edition event t-shirt, which can be worn on the day, souvenir medal and finisher’s pack. There is ample free parking at Guisborough Forest and Walkway Visitor Centre, which is situated just off the A173.

The event is being supported by the Diabetes UK charity and regional manager Linda Wood said: “We are really pleased to again be involved with this excellent event. Exercise is very important for everyone and the walk will help raise awareness of both the charity and diabetes itself. We hope that lots of people will support us when they take part on the day.”

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Sheelagh Clarke, said: “I did the two-mile walk last year with my husband and our grandchildren and we’ll be back this year to tackle the full 10 miles. It’s a fantastic location to stage an event of this kind as the countryside is simple breathtaking. My family are really looking forward to the day.”

For more information and to either enter online or download an entry form visit: www.greatnorthwalk.org

The Great Walk Facebook page can be found at: www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Walk/189305981113879