Nick Price, Bright Purple’s managing director relates his thoughts on the walk:

“Our evening started at 9:30pm, gathering in the Moonwalk Village and warming up, which was a good idea, because following a beautiful sunny Edinburgh day, the wind got up in the evening and sent a chill through the air.  We set off after Midnight, all in good spirits and headed off in to town to be waved along by Saturday night revellers - great atmosphere. The blackness of Arthur's Seat allowed us a view of the stars glittering above; a good sign for the morning that was to come and sure enough by the half way point, the sun was rising over the Firth of Forth.  With about 9 miles to go, the pain was starting to kick in for most of the team, although we were not alone, passing many casualties along the way.  Of course we would have been considerably faster if our ladies didn’t need the loo so often, because if the queue for the ladies is always bad wherever you go, add 9,000 women to that figure and try and fit them in a small amount of portaloos – it’s a disaster waiting to happen!

By the time we reached Portobello we were hanging in there, the banter had long stopped and everyone quietly focused on finishing the job and getting to the end. We walked in to Inverleith Park in brilliant sunshine, cheered on by the crowds of people welcoming their friends and family home, that's was a very nice feeling and pretty emotional for us all, as we remembered why we were doing this and our own loved ones who suffered or were suffering this terrible disease.

However it must give sufferers of breast cancer around the UK, great satisfaction to know that over 10,000 people in Edinburgh cared enough about their situation to walk 26.2 miles through Edinburgh and beyond, to help raise money for their great cause. We are already talking about next year and you’ll see the Pap’s once again treading the streets of Edinburgh that’s for sure."

Judit Czobor, Bright Purple’s PES Administrator talks about her experience of the walk:

 

“Mission accomplished!  We all managed the whole 26.2 miles on Saturday night, though I personally had some doubts about myself on Saturday afternoon, having had 10 days off in roasting Hungary, spent mainly having fun with friends. It was probably not on the training plan we had received from the organisers?  I did manage to do some walking whilst there, but it’s a bit different when it’s 30-35C in non-existent shade.  Having done long distance walks in Spain I was mainly afraid of the weather and also of falling asleep.  Luck was on our side regarding the weather and we made sure we kept each other awake, especially during the first half of the walk.  Reaching 13 miles we had a lively conversation about the wonders of a nice hot bath and as everyone fell silent, I assumed it was not only me who was now dreaming about it. 

The worst parts of the walk were the toilet stops, because I had trouble getting my feet started again after being rested.  Nick, although married, seemed to have absolutely no understanding of the hardship of being a woman and having to queue for ages for a portaloo!

However once we started walking again, he was determined that we would overtake everyone who had passed us.  I must admit at that moment he was not my most favourite person in Portobello as we strode along the beach prom and headed for home, though in hindsight I am rather thankful for Nick pushing us on; otherwise I could have simply given up or popped home, as we passed my flat on the route to the finish line.