Residents encouraged to walk their way to fitness through Olympic-themed walks

UTTLESFORD residents are being encouraged to walk their way to fitness through an Olympic-themed programme of walks.

Uttlesford District Council has teamed up with the Essex Legacy Team at the county council for ‘Walking Your Way to the Games’.

It is a programme of five scenic walks which will take place over the coming months, starting with a three mile walk in Saffron Walden in March and building up to a 15-mile challenge in Great Dunmow in October.

Participants will receive a colour-coded Essex Legacy badge for each walk they complete and registration is open now.

The council’s community outreach officer Paul Goddard said: “All ages are welcome, but please bear in mind the distances covered do gradually increase up to the final 15 mile walk.

“There are only 100 places available on each walk so don’t delay in putting your name down.

“The walks promise to be a lot of fun as well as being excellent exercise. The challenge is on – can you collect all five badges?”

To register for a place on the programme call the district council’s customer service centre on 01799 510510.

All walkers must fill in an outdoor health questionnaire in advance and these, along with further information about Walking Your Way to the Games, is available from uttlesford.gov.uk/healthwalks or from the council offices in Saffron Walden, the community information centre in Thaxted, the Uttlesford District Council customer service desk in Great Dunmow Library, libraries in the district and the TIC in Saffron Walden.

Due to the number of people likely to be talking part in each walk, it is not possible for walkers to bring dogs.