Walk This May challenge
A community event called the “Walk This May Challenge” will run from Wednesday, May 1 through Thursday, May 14 and offers free activities aimed at getting people moving together. (malvernobserver.co.uk) The organizer frames it as a social, habit-focused push to beat last year’s total rather than a competitive race. (malvernobserver.co.uk)
Residents in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being asked to join a two-week walking challenge from Thursday, May 1, to Wednesday, May 14, 2026. (herefordshire.gov.uk) The event is led by Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire with Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council, and organizers say it is open to all ages and abilities. Last year’s challenge logged 4,723.18 miles across the two counties. (activehw.co.uk, herefordshire.gov.uk) Organizers say this year’s walks are free, last between 10 and 90 minutes, and use easy-ground routes at a relaxed pace for beginners. The councils say the walks are reachable on foot or by public transport, and no booking is required. (worcestershire.gov.uk, herefordshire.gov.uk) The format is less a race than a public-health push built around routine and turnout. Stephen Brewster, chief executive of Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said the goal is to “beat last year’s total” after communities walked more than 4,700 miles in 2025. (herefordshire.gov.uk, worcesterobserver.co.uk) The challenge is tied to National Walking Month, which councils and activity groups use to steer people into local walking groups that run beyond May. The Worcestershire County Council notice says the campaign also highlights volunteers, walk leaders and community groups who support residents “throughout the year.” (worcestershire.gov.uk, activehw.co.uk) Public health officials are using the campaign to connect walking with specific health goals. Dr. Lisa McNally of Worcestershire County Council said walking supports heart health, stress reduction, sleep and mood, while Herefordshire public health director Zoe Clifford said the challenge is designed to get people outdoors and meeting others. (herefordshire.gov.uk) The mileage target gives the event a local benchmark: last year’s 4,723.18 miles was equal to walking the 53-mile border between Herefordshire and Worcestershire 89 times. That figure is now the number to beat over this year’s 14-day run. (herefordshire.gov.uk, news.yahoo.com) People taking part are being asked to share their walks with the hashtag #WalkThisMay, but the main ask is simpler than that: find a local health walk, turn up, and start walking. (herefordshire.gov.uk, worcestershire.gov.uk)
