The London Moonwalk 2005

Having undergone treatment for breast cancer during 2003/04 I was secretly pleased when friends of mine suggested that we train for and join with 14,997 other like-minded individuals (also known as mad fools) in completing the Moonwalk in London. By the light of the moon, the Playtex Moonwalk started at Hyde Park on Saturday 18th June this year. It is a sponsored power-walking marathon in aid of breast cancer research and cancer care. Walkers can opt to do the Full Moon, 26.1 miles or the Half Moon, 13.5 miles. As novices, we elected to do the half marathon. All walkers are decked out in self-decorated bras (supplied by Playtex, of course!)

On the night in question, we were due to meet at 8pm in Playtex City, a temporary venue built within the boundary of Hyde Park in London, for the walk to start at midnight. The atmosphere was party like as we reached the compound, although poignant at the same time, with names written on bodies in felt-tip pen as a reminder as to why we were there. Our team, "The Nifty Nipples", comprised of Candy Williams, myself and five other friends. Unfortunately we had problems reaching the venue as our minibus had failed to start and needed some running repairs. Once we got to Hyde Park we queued for the loo, stowed our bags, queued for the loo, collected our meal, queued for the loo, did our warm up exercises and, oh yes, queued for the loo!! - I was kidding about the loos, we didn't need to go that often it just felt like it as the queues were so long!

Eventually we got to start our walk at midnight, after a lot of 'jollying-up' by the organisers. They let us out in batches, fairly large batches, so consequently we weren't over the start line for about another fifteen minutes. The pace was slow and uneven because of the numbers involved but the mood was light and energized. We set off through Hyde Park, encouraged on by the Moonwalk Volunteers (marshals). The Volunteers were great, throughout the walk, cheering us on every step of the way!

The walk through London was amazing. The night air was warm and calming. We had time to look around us and take in the beautiful architecture and I'll never forget the sight of the moon behind a silhouetted Buckingham Palace as we walked down the Mall. The walk was punctuated by a lot of singing, chanting and number shouting (a system we created to ensure we still had every member of our team in tow ™ as it would have been easy to lose someone within the masses). London seemed never to sleep. Many of the cars passing us hooted and cheered us.

Because of the huge number of people walking and because we were walking in our Team (determined to cross the line together), the pace was slow and staggered (is this a wise choice of word considering the context?!) We set ourselves a much stronger pace in training. Never the less "The Nifty Nipples" (or was it "The Knackered Nipples" at this stage?) crossed the finishing line at 4.45am, as the sun rose over Hyde Park, and received our medals. We were absolutely elated. The training had paid off and we had succeeded in the challenge we had set ourselves. As a team we had raised in excess of £2.5K (thank you to everyone who sponsored and supported us) and we had all felt we had supported a superb cause. The experience of 15,000 walkers, at night walking through a buzzing London, is something I shall remember for a long time to come. When's the registration date for the Moonwalk 2006?

Juliet Shepherd