Leonard Curtis Giant Walk for Variety

The Giant Walk is a professionally organised endurance walking challenge that will bring Leonard Curtis colleagues together for a memorable day outdoors while raising money for Variety, helping disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK.

Whether you choose the Half Marathon or the Full Marathon, you'll be fully supported throughout the day by experienced event leaders.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your entry includes:

• Picnic lunch at the halfway point
• Additional bottled water available from the support vehicle
• Pizza or BBQ at the finish
• Beer, prossecco and soft drinks (up to two drinks per person)

We recommend bringing your own refillable water bottle, which can be topped up during the event, along with any other snacks you may want for during the walk.

We believe that's what makes Giant Walk different.

Our events combine achievable challenges, beautiful routes and outstanding participant welfare with a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. They're professionally organised without feeling intimidating, giving people the confidence to push themselves while knowing support is always close by.

For us, success isn't measured by who finishes first. It's measured by the smiles, the friendships, the money raised for good causes and the sense of achievement people take home with them.

No.

The support coach will carry 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.

Every step you take helps Variety provide practical support for disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK.

The charity funds specialist wheelchairs and mobility equipment, Sunshine Coaches, memorable experiences and opportunities that help young people access education, activities and employment.

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.

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.

Every participant receives:

• A Giant Walk finisher's medal
• Food and refreshments
• Time to relax with colleagues
• The satisfaction of completing an endurance challenge while raising money for Variety

• Professionally led throughout
• Carefully planned, achievable route
• Half and full marathon options
• Fully supported with welfare and transport
• Picnic lunch included
• Finish medal
• Food and drinks at the finish
• Raising money for Variety
• A day away from the office that you'll remember long after the finish line