Sign up to join hundreds of walkers stepping out onto the Kennet & Avon canal for RUH 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 everyone who needs it.
Featuring a group warm up at the start line, a free lunchtime BBQ, regular refreshment stops, and a big celebration at the end with finish line photos!
This is more than just a walk. This is a walk for everyone in Bath, Wiltshire and beyond.
Since it began in 2005, the Walk of Life has raised over £800,000 for RUH Bath, thanks to your support. Now in its 20th year, the Walk of Life has made a real life impact for patients, families, and our extraordinary hospital staff.
In person
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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
Your way (virtual)
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Organise your own walk any time in May. Choose a place, route and distance that works for you, gather your friends and family, and join the Walk of Life your way!
Sign up for free – coming soon.
Adult tickets:
£20 + £100 fundraising target
Child tickets (under 18 on the day):
£8 + £50 fundraising target
Can’t make the in person event on Saturday 23 May? Don’t miss out! Our virtual Walk of Life event is coming soon.
20 stories for 20 years
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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.
Have you taken part in the Walk of Life before or is this your first walk? Could you share your reasons for walking for our ’20 stories for 20 years’ series? Please get in touch by emailing fundraising@ruhx.org.uk or by filling out our short story form.
What do I get for taking part?
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By taking part in the in person event, you’ll get:
• An RUHX t-shirt
• A dedication back sign to let everyone know who you’re walking for
• Water and snacks along the way at our ‘GoodNess’ stops
• Free morning coach service from Bath to Bishops Cannings (26.2/16 miles only)
• Free lunchtime BBQ for all walkers
• A Walk of Life finishers medal and finish line photo
• All the fundraising materials and support you need
• The pride of helping your local hospital do more
Our coach service is kindly provided by Centurion Travel, and lunchtime BBQ is kindly provided by Rapid Relief Team.
Where does my sponsorship go?
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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?
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Exact timings of the in person event will be published 1 month before the event. As a guide, the 16 mile and 26.2 mile (marathon) distances usually set off at 8am from Bishops Cannings and the 10 mile distance sets off at 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?
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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?
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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.
If you are taking part in the virtual event, you can choose any place to complete your walk!
Can I take part as a team?
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Yes! The Walk of Life is even more fun when friends and family 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, but you can do this together on one fundraising page.
The Walk is an amazing team bonding experience, made even better by the difference you’ll be making to your local community.
Please get in touch about our corporate/RUH staff team packages by emailing fundraising@ruhx.org.uk.
Can I run?
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The Walk of Life is a walking only event. The timings of the event are not suitable for runners as we cannot guarantee that refreshment stops or finish lines will be set up in time.
“Every year for the last eleven I have always felt a belonging with all that take part, knowing that you are all walking for the same charity but all have different feelings. It is an amazing feeling to be a part of this fantastic walk.”
Staying safe on the canal
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Please note that the canal towpath is shared with cyclists and members of the public on the day of the in person Walk of Life event.
Key facilities:
• First aid cyclist responders operating along the route
• Toilets available (please note some are a short walk from the main 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
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Taking part in our in person event?
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 free event coach service from Bath, kindly provided by Centurion Travel (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 by clicking here.
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
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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 the Canal & River Trust website by clicking here.
Alternatively, you can choose your own location, route and distance by taking part in the Walk of Life your way! Find out more – coming soon.
Terms & conditions
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Please read the Terms & Conditions here.
