Burgess Hill walker to attempt 100k endurance challenge

A woman from Burgess Hill is attempting to walk 100k in 24 hours to raise money for the Blind Veterans charity.
Nikki Bailey will attempt to walk 100k in less than 24 hoursNikki Bailey will attempt to walk 100k in less than 24 hours
Nikki Bailey will attempt to walk 100k in less than 24 hours

Nikki Bailey, 44, and her team of four others called #StrideOnTime are looking to raise £2,500 in the WALK100 event on June 21st starting in Putney, London and ending at the Blind Veterans in Brighton.

Nikki said: “My grandfather and two uncles fought in the Second World War and I am raising money in their memory,”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The mum of two has raised money in a sponsored weight loss and 5K, 10K and half marathon races in support of Beat Bullying, the Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice in Sussex, Race for Life and Target Ovarian Cancer.

The route takes on the South Downs and the infamous Ditchling Beacon.

“I love a charity challenge but when I started to plan my training walks I realised that some company would be essential to while away the hours spent walking,” Nikki added.

The team comprises three men from Surrey, Hampshire and Cardiff and Nikki’s friend, Maria Sargent, who lives in Burgess Hill.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The mum of two has trained through torrential rain and storms, completing many muddy treks at the start of this year.

A Freedom Leisure qualified gym instructor, she has topped up her training at The Triangle leisure centre.

Nikki’s first training walk in February was just was just 12 miles long, and she has steadily built up the distance and time on her feet and is now walking for up to 20 miles.

She explained: “People think that as walking is easy to do, walking for a long time shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But believe me, once you’ve been on your feet for several hours, it becomes very challenging,

“We have 24 hours in mind but we’re committed to walking as a team so if one of us feels the need to slow down or rest a while, we will all stay together to finish together.”

Support Nikki at www.justgiving.com/StrideOnTime