Description
This fully supported endurance walk follows a largely flat route with minimal incline and is organised across four sections.
You do not need to be a marathon athlete to take part. The event is paced for endurance walking, with regular stops, group support and experienced leaders throughout the day.
The walk begins at Hale Lighthouse on the Mersey Estuary. From there we pass through the village of Hale, walk past the Giant Childe of Hale statue, and join the Mersey Way for the first waterside stretch. The route then follows the Manchester Ship Canal before joining the sheltered Trans Pennine Trail.
There are planned rest, refreshment and WC stops along the route, with a lunch break at the halfway point in the village of Stockton on Heath. This is also the start point for the entry level 21 km Stockton Half.
The final section continues along the canal through Lymm and Dunham before returning to Hale, finishing at the Millennium Clock.
A support coach will accompany the event throughout the day. Walkers can store belongings on the coach, access the onboard WC at stops, and use a return service from the finish back to the start area for an additional charge.
Finish times are expected to be around 8 to 9 hours of walking, plus a lunch stop at Stockton on Heath (lunch not provided). Don’t think of the miles/kms or steps think of this as a day on your feet like touring a city or Disney
For those new to endurance walking, the Stockton Half offers a great entry point, allowing walkers to join the event at Stockton on Heath and complete the second half of the route. Teenagers may also join the walk from this point.
Participants are encouraged to fundraise for Moya Cole Hospice and to share their journey using the hashtags #hale2hale and #giantwalk.
Walkers will be supported throughout the day by experienced highly qualified instructors leaders, mentors, assistants and vehicle support. Start times will be staggered in small waves between 7.45 am and 8.00 am. Walkers who are not already part of a group will be allocated one based on expected pace. Each group will have a designated leader and mentor who remain in contact with Event Control.
Closer to the event, walkers will receive a medical questionnaire and full event information including the detailed route, GPX file, training guidance and kit list. Group transport to the start location may be arranged depending on demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Giant Walk?
The Giant Walk will bring Moya Cole supporters together for a memorable outdoor challenge. Every step you take, and every pound you raise, will help Moya Cole Hospice continue to provide care and support for local people and their families.
Whether you choose the Half Marathon or the Full Marathon, you'll be fully supported throughout the day by experienced event leaders.
Why Moya Cole Hospice?
As an independent charity, they need to raise £20,000 every day to continue providing our care free of charge. By walking for Moya Cole Hospice, you'll be helping local people access expert care, comfort and support when they need it most.
Which distance should I choose?
There are two options:
Full Marathon (42km)
Walk the complete Hale to Hale route, taking in the Mersey Estuary, Manchester Ship Canal and Trans Pennine Trail.
Half Marathon (21km)
Join the group in Stockton Heath at lunchtime and complete the second half of the route.
Both groups will finish together and enjoy the same finish celebrations.
Is the route suitable for first-time marathon walkers?
Yes.
The route has been carefully selected because it is predominantly flat, following canal paths, riverside trails and quiet country lanes.
Although walking a marathon is still a challenge, the terrain makes it much more achievable than many people expect.
Most Giant Walk participants are not experienced endurance walkers before they begin training.
The distances sound daunting. Are they really achievable?
They often sound much harder than they feel.
Many of our participants arrive convinced they won't be able to complete the distance. Yet with sensible pacing, regular breaks and plenty of encouragement, they often achieve far more than they imagined.
You don't have to be an athlete. You simply have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
For many people, the hardest part is signing up. The finish line usually takes care of itself. And our experienced team are alongside the whole way to support and encourage.
What about transport and parking?
What support will there be during the walk?
You won't be taking on the challenge alone. From the moment you arrive until the finish celebrations, you'll be supported by the Giant Walk team embedded in the walk.
Our leaders and mentors include outdoor and paediatric first aiders, Mountain Training professionals and Search and Rescue personnel amongst other people. Each bring their own story to tell you and listen to yours.
The walk is led by experienced event leaders who will manage navigation, pace and participant welfare throughout the day. Team members are trained in outdoor first aid and carry comprehensive first aid equipment, and also carry with them an 'Ouch Pouch' containing essentials such as blister treatment and other items to help deal with the most common walking niggles before they become bigger problems.
A dedicated support coach accompanies the event, transporting bags, spare clothing, additional drinking water and refreshments between key locations. The coach also provides transport for anyone who needs to leave the walk early or simply requires a rest.
A support cyclist travels between walking groups, marking the route, helping maintain communication, checking on participants and responding quickly to any issues that may arise.
Regular comfort breaks, welfare checks and refreshment stops are planned throughout the day, including a picnic lunch at the halfway point for all participants before the walk continues towards Hale.
Our aim is simple: to provide a safe, enjoyable and well-supported experience, allowing you to focus on the challenge, enjoy the company of your colleagues and cross the finish line with confidence.
Do I need to carry everything with me?
No- if you have booked the support coach it will carry your spare clothing, additional water and any personal items you don't wish to walk with. The coach will meet walkers at regular intervals during the day when you can collect and drop off items and also use the onboard WC.
We recommend carrying only your walking essentials in a small rucksack.
Do I need to train?
Some training is recommended, particularly for the Full Marathon.
Even a few longer weekend walks in the weeks before the event will make a significant difference.
As a guide, we recommend completing at least half of your chosen distance before the event. For example, if you're taking on the Full Marathon, aim to complete a walk of around 20–21km during your training.
Most importantly, complete this training walk in the same shoes and socks you intend to wear on the day. This is one of the best ways to ensure your footwear is comfortable and to identify any issues before the event.
We recommend that you avoid wearing brand-new footwear on the day of the event, even if it feels comfortable when you first try it on.
We'll provide further training guidance and a suggested kit list in the lead up to the walk.
Why choose an endurance walk?
We believe there's something special about endurance walking.
When you spend several hours walking, something changes. The pace of life slows down, conversations become more meaningful and you start to notice the world around you. The pressure to constantly check your phone disappears, replaced by fresh air, open spaces and the simple rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other.
Unlike many sporting events, Giant Walk isn't about competing against other people. It's about discovering what you're capable of. Whether you're walking 5km or taking on a marathon-distance challenge, the goal is to enjoy the journey, challenge yourself and finish with a sense of achievement.
That's why so many people describe Giant Walk as being about much more than the distance. It's an opportunity to improve your physical wellbeing, clear your mind, spend uninterrupted time with family, friends or colleagues and build new friendships with people you meet along the way.
Our events are professionally organised and supported throughout, allowing you to focus on the experience rather than the logistics. There are no finish-line sprints or pressure to keep up with anyone else. Everyone walks at their own pace, encouraging one another and sharing the same goal: reaching the finish together.
For many people, the greatest reward isn't the medal or the distance they've covered. It's the confidence that comes from achieving something they once thought was beyond them.
What will I receive?
Every participant receives:
- Moya Cole Hospice t-shirt or walking top (cost)
- Optional fundraising certificate
- Fundraising support from our friendly events team
- A Giant Walk finisher's medal
- Food and refreshments will be available to purchase at the finish
The Giant Walk Difference
- Professionally led throughout
- Carefully planned, achievable route
- Half and full marathon options
- Fully supported with welfare and transport
- Finish medal
- A day challenge that you'll remember long after the finish line
