Have you signed up for Sight Matters’ Coast to Coast walk? Or are you thinking about it? If so, here are our top tips for you.

What is the Coast to Coast?

The Coast to Coast walk is an annual fundraising walk organised by Sight Matters. The walk, which traditionally takes place in September, takes competitors from the east coast to the west coast of the Isle of Man, starting in Douglas and ending in Peel.

The full route is around 12 miles and crosses reasonably flat and gentle terrain. A shorter, roughly three-mile route is also available, which starts in St. Johns.

Dogs and children are welcome to take park.

This year’s walk has been made possible with the support of Conister Bank. For full details about the walk, see our information pack.

Tip 1: Take Care of Your Feet

Ever seen those photos of long-distance walkers’ blistered feet? Well, so have we – and, if you’re like us, you’re probably willing to go to some lengths to avoid ending up with them.

The good news is that, with proper prep, you should be able keep your feet nice and healthy, without a blister in sight.

Foot care is unique to the individual: what works for one person may not work for someone else.

As such, as you begin training for the Coast to Coast, you may want to experiment with different lubricants, wicking, socks (including double-layered socks), sports tape and blister block pads.

Eventually, you should settle on a routine that works for you.

You can find more information about foot care here.

(Bonus tip: clip your toenails short before the walk).

Tip 2: Stay Hydrated

It’s important to be well hydrated before any exercise. But it’s especially important when you’re undertaking something that takes you away from your usual exercise routine, like, say, a twelve-mile walk from Douglas to Peel.

Good hydration starts before the race even begins – so, on the day, it’s important that you stay hydrated throughout (which includes before and after the walk, as well as during it).

To stay hydrated:

• Avoid caffeine (which can cause you to lose fluid)
• Take a salty snack (such as a pretzels) or sports drink with you (to keep your electrolyte levels in balance)
• And ensure you have enough water with you (there will be several “hydration stations” along the route on the day, though we’d also recommend bringing your own water, too)

You can find out more about good hydration here.

Tip 3: Get Training

The best way to train for a long-distance walk is (yes, you’ve guessed it!) to go for lots of long-distance walks. This doesn’t mean smashing out twelve miles every weekend. But gradually going for longer and more frequent walks in the run-up to the big day will help you a lot.

The Isle of Man is a beautiful place, offering lots of wonderful walks – from the uplands to the beaches. So, get out there and make the most of it!

The amount of training you will be able to do will depend on your commitments and lifestyle. So don’t worry if you’re not able to train like an Olympian (not many of us can!). The crucial thing is that you’re doing more than you did previously – even if that’s just a couple of extra miles a week.  

Do you want to sign up for the Coast to Coast? Visit the Coast to Coast page to download the registration form, information pack and get yourself entered.