Walk a whopping 10, 16, or marathon 26.2 miles along the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Sign up to join hundreds of walkers stepping out onto the canal, in support of Royal United Hospitals Bath. The Walk of Life is a celebration, for loved ones and for those who cared for them. Whatever your reasons for walking, you’ll be supporting your local hospital to do more for patients, families, and our amazing NHS staff.
Featuring a group warm up at each start line, a communal lunchtime BBQ, regular refreshment stops, and a big celebration at the end with finish line photos, we’ve got everything ready to keep you going on this tough but rewarding challenge.
Adult tickets: £20 + £100 fundraising target
Child tickets (under 18 on the day): £8 + £50 fundraising target.
Choose your distance
• 26.2 miles / marathon (all day) – Bishops Cannings to Bath
• 16 miles (morning only) – Bishops Cannings to Bradford-on-Avon
• 10 miles (afternoon only) – Bradford-on-Avon to Bath
What do I get for taking part?
• An RUHX t-shirt to wear on the day
• All the fundraising materials and support you’ll need to smash your target
• A dedication back sign to let everyone know who you’re walking for
• Water and snacks along the way at our ‘GoodNess’ stops
• Free lunchtime BBQ
• A Walk of Life finishers medal and finish line photo
• The pride of helping your local hospital do more
Where does my sponsorship go?
The funds raised from the Walk of Life will make a real-life impact. Every penny goes towards life-changing projects at the RUH, such as:
• providing state-of-the-art equipment
• providing facilities for loved ones to be with patients
• transforming hospital wards
• funding life changing research and innovative technologies
• providing mental health first aid training to staff
• arts programmes for children and older people on our wards
With your help, we can make our care extra extraordinary for every patient and support our hospital staff to do what they do best. We couldn’t do it without your exceptional support.
What time does the Walk of Life start?
Exact timings will be published 1 month before the event. As a guide, the 16 mile and 26.2 mile (marathon) distances will set off at around 8am from Bishops Cannings and the 10 mile distance will set off at round 1pm from Bradford on Avon.
Walkers will be asked to arrive 30 minutes before the start time, with final information sent nearer the time of the event. A free coach service runs from Bath to Bishops Cannings for morning walkers.
Can I volunteer?
The Walk of Life wouldn’t be possible without our extraordinary volunteers. We need your help to look after our GoodNess stops, marshal the route, and cheer on our walkers as they cross the finish line. Click here to fill in our enquiry form
Where does the Walk of Life take place?
The Walk of Life takes you on a scenic journey down the Kennet & Avon canal towpath. There are three distance options along the canal:
• 26.2 miles / marathon (all day) – starting at The Crown Inn in Bishops Cannings, near Devizes, following the canal all the way to The Holburne Museum in Bath
• 16 miles (morning only) – starting in Bishops Cannings with our marathon walkers and finishing at the lunchtime stop at Victory Field in Bradford-on-Avon
• 10 miles (afternoon only) – starting at our lunchtime stop in Bradford-on-Avon and joining marathon walkers to Bath
From stunning countryside to historic aqueducts, there is plenty to spot along the way as you enjoy your day and complete your challenge.
Can I take part as a team?
Yes! The Walk of Life is even more fun when friends, family or colleagues join you. Fundraising as a team is a great way to raise even more. We ask that you still aim to raise £100 per person in your team.
The Walk is an amazing team bonding experience, made even better by the difference you’ll be making to your local community.
Can I run?
The Walk of Life is a walking only event. The timings of the event are not suitable for runners as refreshment stops may not be set up in time.
Nicola walks for Vanessa, who will you be walking for?
The Walk of Life was started by Vanessa Kyte (Ness) who died on 15th November 2007, seven years after first being diagnosed with breast cancer which developed into secondary lung cancer and brain tumours. Her passion for fundraising sparked her and her sister Nicola to begin the Walk of Life in 2005, and it has developed and grown ever since into the beautiful celebration that it is today with thousands of walkers stepping out for an incredible cause. The Walk of Life remembers Ness with our volunteer run ‘GoodNess’ stops along the way.
Whether you’re walking in memory of a friend or family member, to celebrate yours or your loved one’s recovery at the RUH, or to say thank you to the incredible RUH staff, this is a walk for all lives.
Staying safe on the canal
Please note that the canal towpath is shared with cyclists and members of the public on the day.
Key facilities:
• Toilets available on route
• Refreshments available at key locations – please bring your own water bottle
• Dogs welcome on leads – please ensure you bring a water bowl for your dog
• A map will be provided to help navigate the route and show facility locations. There will also be friendly event marshals on hand at key locations to help direct.
Travel Information
Morning: 26.2 mile (Marathon) / 16 mile walkers
Please note, there is no dedicated event parking at The Crown Inn in Bishops Cannings. We recommend that you arrange for someone to drop you off or you use the event coach service (details provided closer to the time of the event).
Afternoon: 10 mile walkers
Bradford on Avon has a number of public car parks which are within easy walking distance to the afternoon start – further information can be found here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/2324/Bradford-on-Avon
Bradford-on-Avon town centre can get very busy on a Saturday afternoon. It is important you plan your journey to ensure you arrive for your allocated start time. There is no dedicated parking at the event in Bradford on Avon.
Alternatively, Bradford on Avon has direct train and bus links operating to and from Bath and the surrounding area. Please check the service provider for up-to-date timetables.
Accessibility
Certain parts of the canal towpath may not be suitable if you have restricted mobility, due to the nature of the terrain. There are also steps along one section of the route in Bath.
For more detailed information on the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath accessibility, please visit: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/walking/accessibility-map
Terms & Conditions
Please read the Terms & Conditions here.