DESPITE the worst the weather could throw at the Wokingham Walk at the weekend, the event was a great, if rather damp, success.
As if to show that Wokingham residents are not defeated by a downpour, more than 300 walkers arrived, determined to complete their chosen scenic route around the town.
Organiser Andy Slay, said: “It was certainly interesting – the weather was challenging.
“We had 2cm of rain the night before, which led to some substantial flooding.
“But people were so cheerful, and came out to walk despite the very wet conditions.
“Many of them have been cracking jokes on social media about it since.
“There’s a picture of me wading in the water, in my shoes, helping people not to fall as they skirted round on a narrow raised pavement.”
There were three Wokingham walks to choose from: five, 10, or 15 miles long, but the longest of these had to be abandoned altogether.
“We had to close the 15 mile route because the river Blackwater burst its banks,” explained Mr Slay.
“We asked people to take the 10 mile path instead, but 30 walkers still chose the most challenging circuit, wading shin deep through some parts of it.
“They were very determined, and we are absolutely delighted that so many people turned up, 340 of them in fact, to take part in the event.”
Mr Slay launched the Wokingham Walk with Stan Hetherington in 2016.
“It was only intended to be a short term event,” he said.
“But people seem to really enjoy it, and it has grown bigger and better over the years.
“It’s inspiring people to walk more too – one woman said that she did our 15 mile walk for the first time last year, and has since taken up a 100 mile trek.
“We’d like to thank all the walkers for taking part despite, especially the 30 people who still signed up on the day.”
Organisers thank Ollie Young Foundation, Nuffield Health Wokingham, Tesco Wokingham, Aldi UK, Morrisons Wokingham, SHARE Wokingham, and event sponsors Clifton Ingram for their support.
They will announce how much the event has raised for Wokingham Lions Club soon.
The next Wokingham Walk will take place on Sunday, October 13.
For more information, and to sign up, visit: www.wokinghamwalk.co.uk
