On Saturday 28th June, a team of 11 K2 walkers took on the Downs Link Challenge, completing a 50 kilometre (31 mile) route to raise money for the K2 Foundation.
Having made their way to the start point, the fully assembled squad hit the ground running, setting off from Shoreham-by-Sea around 8.00am. It wasn’t long before the sun came out over the South Downs, giving the group glorious views ahead, and spurring them on to keep moving forward.
Having made a powerful start, the walkers hit the lunchtime rest stop in Horsham ahead of schedule, keen to refuel and take a load off. After enjoying some much-needed respite and rehydration, the team headed off on the second part of the walk, just as things were really starting to heat up.
K2’s Executive Business Director, Richard Rutledge, who led the walk, comments:
“They say when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and that’s what happened! As the Mercury hit 30, we remained steadfast, but our pace did start to slow somewhat.
Instead of complaining about aches, pains, and the exceptionally hot weather, we rallied – pulling together to push through the last portion of the challenge, or ‘The Final Burst’.”
Richard continues:
“We hit our last stop, Shamley Green (just outside Guildford), around 7.30pm, having left Shoreham 11 and a half hours earlier. Walking time was just under 10 hours, which is an amazing effort in truly gruelling conditions.
Anyone who has done 50km in one day will testify to how hard it is, so I’d like to say a big well done to the team! This was a fantastic event for the K2 Foundation; we’re already looking at ‘what’s next?’ and steeling ourselves for a new challenge.”
K2 Business Analyst, Luca Bruno, reflects on the experience:
“Taking part in the walk was a really rewarding experience. It felt great to be doing something meaningful for a good cause, and on top of that, it was a fun way to spend time with my K2 colleagues outside of work. Despite the heat and the distance, we had a lot of laughs along the way, supporting each other, and finding different ways to pass the time. After the halfway mark, we decided to put on some music to keep spirits up, and despite some initial scepticism, everyone was quickly singing along to my ‘old school’ playlist!”
Luca adds:
“Completing the walk, I felt not just tired, but inspired, and grateful to have had the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the work that the K2 Foundation does. The Downs Link Challenge was more than just a physical undertaking – it was a reminder of what we can achieve as a collective, when we put our minds to it!”
All the money raised from this event will be going towards the work that the K2 Foundation does. Whether by opening up educational opportunities, supporting sports coaching, or helping with the upkeep of special, shared spaces – just three of a multitude of global examples – the aim of the K2 Foundation is to support the lives of children in the regions within which K2 operates.
The team have raised just over £2,000 so far and their JustGiving page remains open for anyone who would like to show their support.
