Are you up for a challenge?
The first Cyprus Starlight Challenge will see crowds wearing their bras on their sleeves as they begin a midnight walk to raise money for breast cancer charities
With the turn of the year, the talk naturally turns to resolutions. Having just recovered from the Christmas buzz and all its wild partying, I completely forgot about this timeless tradition until a friend boasted about what great things she was going to achieve in 2007. Then came the inevitable and much dreaded question of what my big resolution would be. Eagerly awaiting my reply with a sparkle in her eye, my mind drifted towards the many things one can attempt to do for the better. Of course there’s the sensible promise to quit smoking and the never-ending vow to lose weight. And then there’s always something completely different like travelling the world, or quitting your office job and spending a year meditating and getting in touch with your inner self. But let’s be realistic, there’s so many resolutions that we’ve tried to stick to, but before we know it we’re back to our old habits.
How about taking up a realistic resolution this year that’s dedicated to helping those who really need you the most? If you want to do something different then you can prepare to join the Cyprus Starlight Challenge on March 31. As a sponsored walk in aid of cancer charities, all money raised will be shared between the Marguerite Cancer Patient Support Team and Breakthrough. Cancer is a disease that can unfortunately affect anyone at any time, and the charities supported by Cyprus Starlight provide support to those in need in different ways. While the Marguerite Cancer Patient Support team provides immediate temporary care and support to cancer suffers here in Cyprus, UK-based Breakthrough is instrumental in research into the disease and the development of new treatments. Female breast cancer is now the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the EU with around 245,000 new cases each year. The strategy of Breakthrough is to look at breast cancer through all stages, from how it arises and spreads, to the development of new treatments. Being able to prevent breast cancer is the ultimate goal of the charity.
Inspired by the London Moonwalk (but not associated with it), the upcoming event is bound to be great fun as it takes place under the stars at midnight. In an attempt to raise awareness of breast cancer, it’s become a tradition in the UK that walkers wear specially decorated bras. If you’re up for a laugh, you can just take a normal bra and adorn it with ribbons, bows, glitter, stickers and fur – the more eye catching and fun looking the better. This is all optional however and if you choose to take part you will be provided with a T-shirt bearing the Starlight Logo that you may prefer to wear.
As something completely new to Cyprus, the idea was thought up back in May by Limassol resident Margot Glover. “My sister was walking the Edinburgh Moonwalk and had asked me for sponsorship. It sounded like such a fun event that I thought why not do something similar in Cyprus? When I mentioned it to a group of friends over drinks one night everyone was keen and The Cyprus Starlight Challenge was born,” says Margot. “A group of us have now been walking on a regular basis for seven months. A few toenails have been lost but one girl in particular has lost a lot of weight. We all feel fitter and healthier and it’s all for a great cause,” she explains.
On the evening of March 31, all keen men and women will gather at Chester’s Bar and Restaurant in Limassol to warm up before setting out on their marathon walk at midnight. When you commit to taking part in the challenge, it’s up to you what distance you prefer to walk. The half marathon of 21km will start at the bar and proceed along the beach road to the zoo returning via the same route. The full marathon of 42km will follow the same route and is then repeated a second time. The route will be fully marshalled and policed, with toilet facilities available along the way.
Of course this is also your chance to get seriously fit as walking such a long distance requires training. And for those who aren’t fit at moment, it’s a good way to give the heart and the rest of the body a good workout. Not to worry if you have a hectic schedule either, as the Starlight Challenge group has teams of people training at different times of the day all with different walking capabilities, so it’s easy to join a group and start training.
As the first such walk here in Cyprus, it’s hoped that it will become an annual event, providing participants with a regular challenge, fun, fitness and sense of well-being. Organisers urge the public to help in any way they can, and all those interested should register now to ensure their place. “It’s so good to be able to do something that’s enjoyable but also extremely beneficial and for such a worthy cause,” says Margot.
If you decide to take part, you certainly won’t be lost for words when someone asks you what you’ve chosen as your New Year’s resolution. All you have to do is mention wearing a sparkly bra and taking a really long midnight walk and they will at least congratulate you for coming up with something original!
Cyprus Starlight Challenge
21km and 42km walk in aid of breast cancer charities. March 31. Chesters Bar, Limassol. For a registration form and more information: Tel: 99-345067. email: [email protected]
