Walking festival heralds the arrival of Spring [27 March  2002]

OVER fifteen thousand people will send out a resounding message that walking is good for you and the countryside this Easter, when they take part in the largest walking event of 2002, The Ramblers' Association's (RA) inaugural Festival of Spring Walks, 29 March - 1 April.

The Festival of Spring Walks offers over four hundred fantastic free walks across the country, graded by difficultly, many designed for those who do little exercise or for families, to encourage everyone to try walking for health. The festival is the perfect opportunity to kick-start those forgotten New Year's resolutions - whatever your level of fitness there is a walk to suit you.

Walking is a low impact exercise that has exceptional health benefits. Medical research proves that regular walking can halve the chance of coronary heart disease; reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels; it can help reduce weight and maintain weight loss; it increases bone density helping fight osteoporosis; and it enhances mental well being by reducing stress and anxiety. 

RA Festival Co-ordinator Rachael Bryett said: "Walking may not seem like exercise but it has health benefits that put more demanding activities to shame. The arrival of spring is the perfect time to start walking for health. We are very grateful to Cotswold Outdoor for their exclusive sponsorship of the festival, without which many of the walks would not go ahead." 

The RA will be producing a 10 week walking for health programme for beginners, which will provide information and advice on how to walk, and for how long, to improve general health and fitness. 

To request a list of walks taking place, please contact the RA on 0207 3398500. A full list of walks is also available on our website: www.ramblers.org.uk

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