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Title: Get Doncaster Walking festival back for 2013 Author: DMBC  ID & Publication: 20121211020 ~ The-Villager.co.uk  Area: Doncaster  Subject: Events (Local)

Following the success of last year’s first ever year-round program, Doncaster Council's 'Get Doncaster Walking' festival is returning for the start of 2013 and for the first time the year round programme includes bike rides!

The festival includes a variety of walks which vary in distance and difficulty to ensure a varied programme to get all residents on the move. From exploring Potteric Carr to a town centre heritage walk, there is something for everyone.

Walking or cycling are fantastic ways to improve your physical activity and can be a fun, sociable ways to see the sites of Doncaster. By taking a brisk walk or bike ride for 30 minutes a day, you will help to reduce your risk of developing chronic health problems like coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other major diseases.

A number of walks within the programme have been organised to raise funds and awareness for good causes including Macmillan Cancer Support Services and Sue Ryder.

Councillor Cynthia Ransome, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: ‘Why not make it your New Year’s resolution to be more active - and start by taking part in some of our organised walks or rides.

‘We recorded over 2,000 attendances during last year’s festival and we hope to get more people get involved this year and appreciate Doncaster’s great open spaces.’

Residents interested in taking part can grab a leaflet detailing walks for the first half of 2013 from their local leisure centre, library, children centre or GPs surgery. Alternatively, they can download the booklet from www.doncaster.gov.uk/walking

Each walk listed in the booklet sets out the date and time, the distance, a brief description of the walk as well as any special requirements. As with the 2012 festival, we are still dividing our walks into the ‘Stroller’ and ‘Strider’ categories with a ‘Stroller’ walk being delivered at a slow pace and suitable for all and a ‘Strider’ having a slightly faster pace and can be found more challenging for some. Dogs are allowed on the majority of the walks provided that they are kept on a lead at all times, dog friendly walks are identified by a symbol on the leaflet.

The first walk of the new festival is in aid of Sue Ryder and will be held at Sandall Beat Wood on Sunday 6 January. The slow paced ‘Stroller’ walk starts from the Environment Centre at 10.30am and will be 4.5miles long.

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