With less traffic on the roads, less time spent commuting, and thanks to guidance restricting exercise times (or the perception that there was a limit to how far people were allowed to exercise away from their home), many cities saw a boom in walking. Once lockdown began to ease restrictions on time spent away from home began to be lifted, many ventured further afield, with the Lake and Peak Districts becoming popular destinations in the UK.
As with running, social media and virtual challenges played a significant role in framing the way that people walked, incentivising and structuring walks, encouraging people to try out new challenges and to visit different places.
Graham Langridge, 70,000 steps in 7 days
Watch local walk-leader Vince’s film about St George Park, Bristol here.