Bristol boots up for the country’s biggest celebration of urban walking
A game of walking cricket is being held to officially launch Bristol Walk Fest 2018, the UK’s largest urban celebration of walking.
Now in its sixth year, this year’s Bristol Walk Fest promises to be the best yet, with over 150 walks and events planned. It will also see the launch of three new walking sports in Bristol: cricket, tennis and women’s’ football. Walking sports allow older and less physically able individuals to enjoy competitive team sports without the high impact or strenuous level of activity that standard versions of the same sport require.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said:
The Bristol Walk Fest has an excellent track record for encouraging more people to get active and I am delighted to welcome it back to the city this year.
“We are committed to making sport and physical activity more inclusive and accessible to all across the city, following our year as European City of Sport for 2017 and the recent launch of Bristol Active City. The programme of events for Bristol Walk Fest is once again full of a wide range of opportunities and I look forward to seeing people from all different backgrounds getting involved and taking that step towards healthier and more active lifestyles.”
“Walking is a great way to be active and by getting out just once a day for a stroll can make such a difference to your health and wellbeing,” commented Karen Lloyd, Manager for Active Ageing Bristol.
The Bristol Walk Fest 2018 programme will showcase the many excellent walking opportunities that already exist in the city and offer many new and inclusive walks, which will further underpin Bristol as the healthy walks capital of the UK,” she added.
Steve Silk, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Cricket Board, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching walking cricket as part of Bristol Walk Fest 2018. Walking sports are an accessible way for anyone to get involved with competitive sports and be more physically active. It’s inclusive, social and fun, and a great way to meet new people”.
Bristol Walk Fest 2018 is coordinated by Active Ageing Bristol, a collaboration between Bristol Sport Foundation, The Anchor Society and the St Monica Trust, in partnership with LinkAge Network and Bristol Ramblers with investment from TravelWest Fund.
Photo credit: Jeni Nott Photography