Competitive Cynthia set for Starlight Walk’s new route

More than 100 women have already signed up to take part in this year’s Starlight Walk for Hospiscare, which has a new 12k route along Exmouth’s seafront and beautiful countryside.

The walk is back for one night only taking place on Saturday May 11. The Hospiscare ladies walk usually takes place on two nights with one walk in Tiverton and one in Exmouth.

But Hospiscare has combined the walks to one venue for 2013 to maximise the amount of money raised.

Hospiscare fundraising volunteer Cynthia Broomfield, who has taken part and helped at the walks since they began, said that she is looking forward to completing the new route and is hoping that her team will finish first at the event.

She said: “I walked the first year with my niece after my sister died but this is the first time I’ve walked as part of a team.

“I’ve been emailed the new route and I’m going to walk it before the night. I gather it’s flatter which I’m disappointed about because I burn off the {competition] on the hills. But I’m happy that the route is slightly longer.”

62-year-old Cynthia who lives in Ebford said that although she knows the walk isn’t a race, she can’t help her competitive nature and is keen to cross the finish line in first place as she did last year.

Cynthia said: “It’s not a competitive walk but I’ve finished the walk in sixth and second place before and then last year I came first.

“I bumped into my neighbours last year who were doing the walk and they asked to walk with me because I knew the route. I am quite competitive.”

Cynthia joked that she was going to try out the route before May, laying mantraps and adjusting signs along the way to confuse her ’opponents’.

She said: “I used to be a marathon and long-distance runner and when you hit 60 people go ‘oh aren’t you good taking part in the event’, so I’ve got something to prove.

“I’ve entered as a team this year with my three friends who walked with me last year, plus a walking buddy from Dorset. No pressure but we’ve called the team the untouchables.” She laughed.

The 12k walk starts at the earlier time of 8pm this year and incorporates the cycle path to Budleigh into the route. The walk finishes at Exmouth Rugby Club where a much deserved treat will be on offer.

Cynthia said: “There are some really great new ideas and twists this year; I think the mile markers are a good idea too.

“Exmouth Rugby Club are brilliant; there is a great atmosphere and a good feeling. I’m just hoping we get loads of people signing up.”

Hospiscare gives high-quality care and dedicated, free-of-charge support to people who are terminally ill. Hospiscare is your local hospice charity for Exeter, mid and east Devon.

To sign up for the 2013 Starlight Walk visit www.womensstarlightwalk.co.uk