Graham Duckworth & Sean Nash reached Valley Parade on time to complete the Lincoln Walk II on target. This walk was tougher than the first one as there was more walking up hill involved and the weather began with a nasty rain storm for all of the walkers. The other walkers who battled hard, but did not have the added advantage of doing the walk before were Charlotte Usher, Daniel Duckworth & Andrea Brown.

For Sean Nash completing the walk was a must, having being joint winner of last years Three Peaks Challenge, Sean had walked over 65 miles of the 73 before having to stop. The Lincoln Walk as Charlotte Usher pointed out was “much more difficult than the Three Peaks Challenge” and that is why it even more credit to Bradford City kit man Graham Duckworth for completing it against the odds, twice. Sean however wanted to vanquish them heartache of being so close to finishing and having to prematurely end his walk last time, and did himself and those who had their fingers crossed for him, proud.

It was a special moment for Sean and everyone knew it and he along with Graham deserve the respect of everyone at Valley Parade for completing the walk.

But let us take nothing away from Charlotte Usher, Andrea Brown & Graham’s son, Daniel. Both Graham & Sean knew what to expect, for the trio that took part this time around, they did not. The Lincoln Walk take more than just being fit, because the inevitable fact is that the walkers also have to compete against their legs, feet and mind. Even 1 mile is a long way to walk when you have already walked 30, 40, or 50 miles, let alone over 70 miles. When like Daniel & Charlotte you also pick up an injury, Daniel pulled his hamstring before midnight and Charlotte tried to walk off a knee injury, even, along with Andrea Brown, getting out to walk again. But for Charlotte, the knee injury had got the better of her, and to everyone except the determined Charlotte, it was inevitable that her walk was over from that moment.

From a safety point of view, it was important that anyone who had an injury or could for whatever reason no longer keep close enough to the front, would need to stop. The roads were pitch black for much of it and the terrain often unfriendly to walkers. So everybody can give themselves a pat on the back for taking part.

This is the last Lincoln Walk, but it will stay in the memories of those involved for life. From the walkers to the support teams, the support van drivers Glen Pearson & Glenn Baldwin, and Natalie Church who was part of Richard Copley & the Walking support team, doing both support & photography. Also for Damian Oxborough who was in the photography support team and of course Richard Copley, the person who came up with the name “Bantamstrek” designed the website and is responsible for keeping you informed with what was going on and producing the videos as well as photo’s of the walks.

It was a team effort in all respects, but the final plaudits of course fall to the walkers. Who battled many things to take part and walk as far as they could on a walk which is often lonely and leaves feet in conditions most people would never encounter, let alone keep walking on.

Well done to everyone!