A WALKING enthusiast from Stratford has gone the extra mile for a marathon challenge with a difference.
Ali Berkely put her Nordic walking skills to the test when she travelled 27 miles along England’s Jurassic Coast as part of the Purbeck Nordic Walking Festival.
The sport uses poles which strengthen the upper-body and provide a more impacting workout.
The 61-year-old also raised over £1,000 for the Samaritans – a charity close to Ali’s heart.
She said: “If someone had told me even as recently as a year ago that I would be tackling a 27 mile Nordic walk on the Dorset coast I would have said ‘not a chance!’
“I have never been motivated by going to a gym and running hasn’t done it for me either, but being out in the open air, whatever the weather, and getting a good pace up has done wonders for my fitness levels. At 61-years-old I am probably fitter than I have been in years.
“After Purbeck I shall seek the next challenge to book on to, as that will encourage me through the autumn and winter months.”
