FAQs
Can men do the walk?
How long is the route?
How much does it cost to take part?
Is the route suitable for wheelchairs?
What happens after I have registered for the walk?
What if the weather is awful?
Who can enter?
Will it be safe?
Will there be toilets?
Do you have any training tips?
How do I get started on my training?
Groups/Teams
Can we raise sponsorship money as a team?
Can we walk as a team?
On the Night
Can a friend who hasn’t registered walk with me?
Can I park at the start?
Can we drink alcohol on the route?
Do I need to bring anything else?
Having started the walk, what if I want to drop out?
I am walking on my own, is that OK?
Once I’ve registered, when can I start my walk?
What are the registration arrangements?
What should I bring with me?
What should I wear?
What time do I need to arrive?
What will happen at the end of the walk?
Money Matters
Can I bring my fundraising money with me on the night?
General
Can men do the walk?
Unfortunately no! This is a women only event; however we do need volunteers on the night so men are more than welcome to be part of the event by volunteering, so please get in touch if this is of interest. back to top
How long is the route?
You can choose from distances of 5 miles to 17 miles and lots in between; there's a walk to suit everyone, please see the above table or registration form for more walk details. back to top
How much does it cost to take part?
Registration is £10 with our Early Bird offer which is available until 1st April, and thereafter registration is £15. We then ask you to raise as much money as possible to support the work of Macmillan Cancer Support and North Devon Hospice. back to top
Is the route suitable for wheelchairs?
We welcome everyone, of all abilities but please do get in touch if you have any questions. The Tarka line is largely suitable for people with wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility scooters. However, the Saunton Sands beach walks are not suitable. back to top
What happens after I have registered for the walk?
After you have registered you will receive your registration letter. In efforts to be more mindful of keeping our costs low and reducing our impact on the environment, we have asked all our ladies how they would prefer to receive their 'Nightwalk registration pack.' It can be posted, emailed or downloaded from the website. At any point, we are happy to post you more copies so please do get in touch. back to top
What if the weather is awful?
The Nightwalk routes are very safe and it would take some very extreme weather for us to cancel the event. However, in this eventuality we would get our volunteer teams together and phone round all Nightwalkers as soon as possible to let them know. For the most up to date information on this matter or the Nightwalk in general, please visit this website, our twitter or facebook. So even if you think the weather is bad on the night, do come along unless you hear from us. back to top
Who can enter?
We welcome females who are 16 or over to join Nightwalk. back to top
Will it be safe?
Your safety is of the utmost importance to us. The route will be marshalled by volunteers and special marshals will be walking the route with you. We also have a special radio communications team on board and first aid throughout the course. back to top
Will there be toilets?
There will be toilets provided along all routes as well as rest stops. Facilities can be found at Bideford RFC, Weare Giffard, Saunton Sands Beach Car Park, Caen Street Car Park in Braunton, Chivenor, on the trail near Barnstaple Football Club and also at the football club itself, Fremington Quay, and Instow. These are fully marshalled and patrolled for your safety. back to top
Do you have any training tips?
Walking up to 17 miles is a big challenge for anyone! Follow our hints and tips to help you get into tip top condition. There are many benefits to walking; it is a perfect ways to increase your overall fitness; you can progress at your own pace, it can fit in with any lifestyle and doesn’t require any technical skill, or cost you anything! Just remember to walk properly – tuck your tummy in, swing your arms, put your heels down first and roll your weight through the foot as you stride out. Walking can help:
Reduce body fat as part of a weight loss program Increase bone density, helping to prevent osteoporosis Reduce stress and increase energy levels Help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Here are some helpful walking tips and ideas:
Make sure you have a good fitting pair of trainers. Don't get a new pair of trainers just before the walk it is better to break them in at least a few weeks beforehand. If you want to get some new clothing for the walk wear it or at least wash it beforehand to avoid chafing.
Try leaving the car at home and walking instead!
Try to recruit a workmate, friend or family member to join you when going out for a walk.
Don’t let rain deter you from going out for a walk or run ... after all it could rain on the night!
Any time you see a staircase, walk up or down instead of using the lift or escalator.
Always warm up prior to undertaking a walk. If you are a stranger to exercise, we would recommend that you build up the mileage and train slowly and steadily. Stop if your body is hurting.
Wear reflective clothing if walking in the dark.
Take the 20-Minute Challenge: promise yourself that you will walk at least 20 minutes every day between today and 19th May.
How do I get started on my training?
Start by fast walking 2 or 3 times a week for at least 1 hour each time with the shoes you will be using for the Nightwalk.
It is essential to find terrain which is the same as the terrain you will be walking - this is mainly tarmac-type surface or sand if you're planning to take part in the Saunton walk.
Increase your walks to 3 evenings a week and, during the weekend, try fast walks of up to 5 miles. Wherever possible this should take place over two consecutive days.
For people who are overweight it is important to also use the gym or do regular swimming during this period in order to reduce the waistline. This will make it much easier to walk your chosen distance.
Pedometers – If you want to improve the distance you can walk, try wearing a pedometer. Wearing a pedometer can help you increase the number of steps you take each day.
10,000 steps a day are recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The average stride is about 2.5 feet in length, which a mile is just over 2,000 steps. 10,000 steps is close to 5 miles. Try walking an extra 500 steps a day until you can walk 10,000 steps! Try walking to the shops, taking the stairs or parking a bit further from work.
You should always consult a doctor if you have any concerns about your health before beginning or changing your exercise routine. Remember practice makes perfect, so get walking now!
Visit Explore the Coast North Devon AONB to find some fun and interesting routes to kick start your training! www.explorethecoast.org
Groups/Teams
Can we raise sponsorship money as a team?
Yes of course! But please ensure when you send your sponsorship money and sponsorship forms to us that you clearly state your team name and the name of each team member so that we can individually record your donation. If you fundraise online as a team through please clearly mark each team member by name. back to top
Can we walk as a team?
Yes you can. Please put your team name at the very top of your registration form. We positively encourage you to walk as a team. back to top
On the Night
Can a friend who hasn’t registered walk with me?
Yes. However, we would strongly urge everyone to register beforehand for Nightwalk. This avoids the risk of people turning up on the night and the event being full, it also gives people the opportunity to fundraise before the event. However, for people who register on the night, the registration fee is £25 and we will also give them the sponsor forms and ask them to raise sponsorship after the event. back to top
Can I park at the start?
The starting points are Bideford Rugby Club, Barnstaple Football Club and Caen Street Car Park in Braunton. Parking is available at Bideford Riverside Quay Car Park, Barnstaple Civic Centre Car Park, Caen Car Park in Braunton, Saunton Sands Beach Car Park, Torrington Cycle Hire. Parking at each start point is limited so we recommend that you car share if possible. back to top
Can we drink alcohol on the route?
No, it is far too dangerous! Accidents can easily happen when drunk so we ask all ladies to steer clear of alcohol before and during the event. You will not be allowed to walk if you are considered to be under the influence. back to top
Do I need to bring anything else?
Yes. Please bring your cut off strips (you will receive these with your registration letter) with your contact details filled in. Also, please bring your mobile phone fully charged and with credit and a torch if you have one. back to top
Having started the walk, what if I want to drop out?
YOU MUST SPEAK TO THE NEAREST STEWARD (identified by their high visibility vests) and show them your walker number. They will take your details and arrange for you to leave the walk. You should never be more than a few hundred yards from a steward at any time. (Exceptionally, if you really can’t take another step and you are between steward points, ask a walker to go to the last or next steward point to get help, then wait with another walker for a steward to come to your aid).
It is so important that you let a steward know if you intend to retire from the walk so that the laid down procedure for your withdrawal from the event can be carried out. It is important that you hand in your lanyard / pouch with your contact card if you wish to withdraw. Time and manpower will be used to search for you if we do not know that you have left the walk. back to top
I am walking on my own, is that OK?
We will ask solo walkers to go near the front of each group as they start out so that they can more easily join up with other people and walk together! We do advise that you try to walk in groups of a minimum of four to ensure your health and safety. back to top
Once I’ve registered, when can I start my walk?
As soon as we have a group together, we will set you off on your merry way! back to top
What are the registration arrangements?
Each Nightwalker must report to the registration desk on arrival. These are busy stations so please be patient and bear with us, we will try and get you all going as soon as we can! back to top
What should I bring with me?
Please bring refreshments including plenty of fluid. We will also supply you with a banana, bottled water, and snacks. back to top
What should I wear?
We suggest you wear walking boots or sturdy trainers (but not new ones!); if donning fancy dress please ensure it will be warm and comfortable enough for the walk. Extra clothing and waterproofs will be needed if rain is likely. Please don't underestimate how cold it can be in the evening, so ensure to bring something warm to wear. back to top
What time do I need to arrive?
Your arrival and start times will be confirmed in writing to you when you receive your welcome pack after you have registered. These details are also available on the website for each walk. back to top
What will happen at the end of the walk?
When you finish your walk, please make sure you hand in your lanyard / pouch with your contact card. You will be offered a delicious hot snack and after this you can go home safely (courtesy of Stagecoach who will take you back to your starting point or through your own arrangements), congratulate yourself, then get some well deserved sleep! back to top
Money Matters
Can I bring my fundraising money with me on the night?
Yes, but in cheque form please if you have completed all of your fundraising. However, we hope that you will continue to raise as much money as you can after the event.
After the event, please send your cheque made payable to 'Nightwalk' and sponsorship forms to Nightwalk, c/o North Devon Hospice, Deer Park Road, Barnstaple, EX32 0HU.
Please don’t forget to make sure everyone, where applicable, ticks the gift aid box on the sponsor forms, this can make a huge difference to Macmillan Cancer Support and North Devon Hospice. back to top