Moonwalk: Thinking pink to raise millions

SPORTING brightly coloured bras and warm smiles, 12,000 marchers walked miles across the Capital to raise millions for breast cancer research.

The city's annual MoonWalk event saw thousands of competitors – including around 1000 men – take to the streets through Saturday night and into Sunday.

A sea of pink swarmed into the Meadows ahead of the 11.30pm start with a variety of colourful outfits ranging from heavenly angels to Hawaiian hula girls.

Bras made from cones, high-visibility vests and stuffed toys were also on show despite the plummeting temperatures.

Pre-walk entertainment was provided in a huge pink tent erected on the Meadows, which marked the starting and finishing lines.

DJs Grant Stott and Arlene Stewart interviewed an array of competitors and introduced musicians and bands during the warm-up, which also featured free massages and light aerobics.

Some of the first walkers were back in the Meadows by 2.30am, with the rest trickling in over the following hours until around 11am after completing the 13 or 26-mile course.

Those taking part were treated to a pink backdrop as they worked their way around the city as 32 buildings – including Edinburgh Castle and the Balmoral Hotel's iconic clock tower – were bathed in pink light for the night.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the city council's deputy leader, addressed walkers ahead of the start of the event.

He said: "This is my first time down here and what a set-up, it is really well done. I really do salute the efforts of those taking part and volunteering.

"There can't be many people who have not been affected by cancer in one way or another but these people are out there trying to do something about it."

This is the MoonWalk's third year in the Capital, with organisers hoping to raise £3 million for breast cancer charities.

More than £2 million was raised last year, and this year's walk has attracted a record number of participants with an extra 2000 walkers.

Previous money has gone towards The Breast Cancer Institute in Edinburgh as well as the Maggie's Cancer Care Centres.

Among those taking part was former Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus, who managed the half-marathon course in around four hours. The 28-year-old singer said: "It is a great cause and the event itself is so well run with everyone really up for the walk.

"I took part last year and it was tough going because it just didn't stop raining, but it was a bit drier this year and the atmosphere is just brilliant.

"It is great to see so many people going to all this effort to raise money for breast cancer research."

A MoonWalk spokeswoman said: "Everything went really well with no real problems over the course of the event.

"It was such a fantastic occasion and everyone just seemed so happy to be there and be taking part.

"It takes so long to pull together that we are already thinking of next year's event."

The route saw walkers head through the city centre and down to the shores of the Firth of Forth. From there, they walked the long stretch to Portobello before turning back towards the city centre and the finishing line back at the Meadows.

Nina Barough, founder and chief executive of Walk the Walk, added: "We are all literally over the moon that in just three years the MoonWalk has not only succeeded in raising such an amazing amount of money, but also that it has become a much loved part of the Edinburgh calendar.

"With an increase in walkers to 12,000, it is wonderful to think that Walk the Walk has encouraged so many women and men in Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland to get their shoes on and to get out Walking the Walk."