Best foot forward for walking challenge

The Walking for Health Challenge Trail will be held on Saturday, May 20, with residents invited to tackle either a Silver (four miles), Gold (seven miles) or Platinum (12 miles) route.

All the trails start at WV Active Aldersley, Hugh Porter Way, Aldersley, at 9.30am, and are way-marked and marshalled.

The Challenge Trail is just one of more than 30 free walks taking place during the seventh annual Wolverhampton Walking Festival, which is organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council's Healthy Lifestyles Service and takes place from this Saturday, May 13 until Sunday, May 21.

Ros Jervis, the City of Wolverhampton Council's director of public health, said: "The Walking for Health Challenge Trail is a fantastic opportunity to get out and about and put your fitness to the test over distances of four, seven or 12 miles while exploring parts of Wolverhampton you may not be familiar with."

Entry to the Challenge Trail is free, though participants are invited to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation if they wish. Places are limited to 300, and so pre-booking is necessary. For an entry form please call 01902 553838 or visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/walkingfestival. Please note that no entries will be taken on the day.

Ros added: "The Challenge Trail is the biggest event in this year's Walking Festival and a real highlight, but if you cannot make it don't worry as there are dozens of other fantastic walks, long and short, to take part in – and with walks for people of all ages and abilities, there’s sure to be something for everyone."

As well as the walks, a special 30-minute Outdoor Gym Class will take place at West Park every day from Monday, May 15 to Friday, May 19 at 10.45am. To get involved, meet at the shelter near the Devon Road entrance.

All the walks are free, though some must be pre-booked. For more information, please visit the Wolverhampton Walking Festival website at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/walkingfestival, or call 01902 553838.