Walk the Wight 2016: Runners, walkers, vacuum cleaners and alpacas

A whopping 7,500+ walkers took part in the annual Earl Mountbatten Hospice Walk the Wight event on Sunday.

The weather couldn’t have been any better, blue skies and sunshine, but with a cool wind to ensure those taking part didn’t get too hot.

There were a range of walks on offer to those taking part; the flat walk from Sandown to Shide (eight miles), the schools walk from Freshwater to The Needles (four miles), Bembridge to Carisbrooke (12.5 miles), Bembridge to The Needles (26.5 miles) and Carisbrooke to the Needles (14 miles).

Each and every walker deserved an award
Walkers of all ages took part, from young children to the more mature, as well as those with severe disabilities or mobility problems.

Special congratulations to inspirational teenager, Natasha Lambert who crossed the finish line despite incredible restrictions due to Athetoid Cerebral Palsy.

We welcome Natasha Lambert @miss_isle through the finish line, congratulations! #WTW16 pic.twitter.com/fkhgQORHrz
— Earl MB Hospice (@EarlMBHospice) May 15, 2016

There were also several runners taking part in the marathon length route.

Running across the finish line @VisitTheNeedles #WTW16 pic.twitter.com/BRTRqpUNgP
— Earl MB Hospice (@EarlMBHospice) May 15, 2016

And these chaps below decided to take their vacuum cleaners on the walk.

4 lads carried/pushed 4 Dyson cleaners 26 miles across #WTW16 for @EarlMBHospice insane @Dyson @DixonsCarphone pic.twitter.com/utEo47M8Lc
— Currys (@wightwalkers) May 16, 2016

There were even alpacas.

Our furry friends the Alpacas from @wightalpacas trotted over the finishing line and each got their medals! #WTW16 pic.twitter.com/FjgOQULHzN

— Earl MB Hospice (@EarlMBHospice) May 15, 2016

£300,00 target
Last year an amazing £270,458 was raised and the Hospice are hoping to bust through that figure this year with a target of £300,000.

As you might expect, those taking part shared their photos and videos from the walk. Our thanks to Nathaniel Wheatley from ProCamFilms for sharing the aerial photos below and Richard Manser from SafeSiteIOW for his aerial drone video.

Results
Some results from the day

Fastest runner, Dean Rayner who ran the course in a magnificent four hours and seven minutes
First finishers Bembridge to Carisbrooke: Tom Forster and Peter Sexton who crossed the line at 7:55am
First finisher Schools Walk the Wight: Ella Edwards from Newport Church of England Primary
First finishers Flat Walk: Stephen Holmes and Patricia and Merlot the dog at 9:58am
First runner across the line at the Needles: Dean Rayner in four hours and seven minutes
First dog finishing at Carisbooke: Mulberry at 9:27am
First dog finishing at the Needles: Maera at approx. 10:40am
Oldest finisher, Bembridge to Needles: John White, 85
Largest team: Hoverwalkers from Hovertravel, walking in memory of former colleague Captain Graham Snow

Jax Jones, Major Events Fundraiser and Walk the Wight 2016 organiser, said:

“We know that everyone has gone to extraordinary efforts to support this year’s event and it’s now time to turn our attention to gathering in the sponsorship that our walkers have worked so hard to raise. It really helps our work at the hospice if this can be done as swiftly as possible, so that we can continue to plan and improve our services for patients and families.
“There are a number of ways you can ensure your hard earned fundraising gets to the right place,” Jax added. “You can hand in your sponsorship money to any of the ten Earl Mountbatten Hospice shops across the Island, or send your cash and cheques (made payable to ‘Earl Mountbatten Hospice’) directly to the Hospice. You can also make a payment by BACS transfer: Account number 1417 7811, Sort Code 54-10-34, Reference [your walker number]. In all cases, make sure you quote your Walker Number and don’t forget to hand in your sponsorship form so the Hospice can claim the appropriate Gift Aid – Last year’s Gift Aid claim for Walk the Wight boosted the total raised by over £50,000!”

Nigel Hartley, Chief Executive at Earl Mountbatten Hospice, said:

“This was my second year taking part and, once again, I have been astounded at the extraordinary energy from everyone involved. It was wonderful to witness the determined march of thousands of walkers winding their way across our glorious countryside; all with so many different reasons for taking part, yet all making one concerted effort to raise money as much as possible, so that the hospice can continue to serve our local community.
“This event is vital in helping us to raise some £300,000 of the £7million we need to support future patient and family care, both at the Newport hospice and in people’s homes across the Isle of Wight. Without everyone’s dedication to this cause, such an incredible event could not take place. Therefore, on the behalf of all our patients and their families, I would like to offer all our walkers, sponsors and event staff and volunteers my heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation for making this event the huge success that it is.”

Article edits
14.41: Comments from Jax Jones and Nigel Hartley added, along with some of the results.