History of the Walk
In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt implemented that US Marine Officers should be able to cover 50 miles over rough terrain within three days. More than 50 years later, President John F. Kennedy who was famous for promoting physical fitness, reinvigorated the challenge to all servicemen and furthermore the American population. This inspired his brother Robert F Kennedy, to set off on a whim, through slush and snow he completed the challenge in just under 18 hours in a pair of leather shoes he may go to the office in. The general public got swept up in the challenge and it soon became the 50-mile craze that exploded across the United States.
Back in Blighty, in the mid-sixties, several American specialists were working on HMS Resolution at Barrow shipyard. Advocates of the 50-mile challenge and to enhance relationships, they encouraged the crew of HMS Resolution to challenge the Vickers shipyard workers to walk from Keswick to Barrow. The challenge was not only accepted but the shipyard management also entered a team.
So, on the 1st April 1967 a few dozen Navy, shipyard workers and their management, set off on the first ever Keswick to Barrow walk… Who do you think won?
Over the years the Keswick to Barrow walk has grown into one of Cumbria’s largest endurance charity events attracting close to 3,000 participants each year. The event has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for various charities, and I am proud to say that we have just added to this by raising £2608 for Diving with the Injured. It was an epic and at times with 1,300 metres worth of hills along the way, it was emotional! We initially left Birmingham at 02:00, to be on the start line by 05:30, 19 hours later we were thankfully at the finish, straight back onto the minibus, arriving back in Birmingham some 26 hours after we left! Yes, I know Kennedy did 50 miles in 19 hours, but he didn’t have the hills of Great How, High Dam or Kirby Moor to contend with!
My blisters have healed and we hope the money raised will go a long way to healing the minds of military veterans when they’re in the water producing bubbles of pleasure 😊. A massive thank you to everyone that supported or sponsored us.
Pictured Left to Right:
- Lt Mary Delariarte – Royal Army Medical Services (Nurse).
- Cpl Kat Willis – Princess Mary’s RAF Nursing Service.
- AS1 Sarah Giles – RAF Medical Services – Operating Department Practitioner (Student)
- LH Helen Regan – Royal Navy Medical Services (Mental Health Nurse)
- Pte Libby Sharp – RAF Medical Services – Operating Department Practitioner (Student)
- Matthew Kesterton – Civilian – Defence Medical Services Dive Club Support Volunteer.
- AB1 Katie Gower (Organiser) – Royal Navy Medical Services – Operating Department Practitioner (Student)
- LCpl Matthew Chung – Royal Army Medical Services – (Nurse Student)
Not included in this picture, but a special thank you to Matt Willis (Ex RAF Sgt) who reported back to duty for the day under the orders of his wife Kat. Matt was essential, providing transport and support to the walkers as well as promoting the DWI.
In 1967, the first man to reach Barrow was a shipyard worker, however, the Royal Navy Crew of HMS Resolution were the first to finish as a team. Apparently, the managers are still out there somewhere.
