Walk the Walk’s 5K Zoom is a zero-pressure, feel-good charity walk around Clapham Common on 17th May 2025 to raise money for breast cancer research.
We sat down with Nina Barough CBE, the founder and chief executive of Walk the Walk, to understand the story behind the charity, the walk itself and how local people can get involved to raise money for an important cause.
Walk the Walk is a breast cancer charity and are the creators of the infamous marathon MoonWalk, the more rigorous overnight 15.1 mile or 26.2 mile route through central London. Through these power walking events, the charity has raised over £144 million and the defining characteristic is the attire, as participants can choose to wear decorated bras!
The concept behind Walk the Walk began in 1996, when Nina and 13 others decided to power walk the New York City Marathon in their bras to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. She said: “It started from a dream. I loved the thought of going to New York to power walk the marathon in a bra. It was meant to be a one off event and at that time 30 years ago, people didn’t talk about cancer. It was colourful, it was fun, it was a bit outrageous and it got people talking.”
Thirty years on, Nina said that she is proud of being able to “bring fun into something very serious” and the MoonWalk event has been going for 28 years this year.
©Stuart Nicol Photography, 2019
Nina described the MoonWalk as “an iconic part of the calendar” but wanted to introduce something for all ages and abilities, with an opportunity for children and those who might find a marathon distance daunting.
The 5k Zoom was born and this newer event made its debut last year as the more accessible counterpart to the MoonWalk, occurring earlier in the day, rather than in the middle of the night.
It’s not a race and participants are encouraged to take their time walking, make friends, and take it at their own pace. Everyone gets a cap, t-shirt and medal and there is even a hot drink waiting for you at the finish line, alongside muffins.
Nina explained how there is strong evidence that shows the preventative effect exercise and lifestyle choices can have on cancers. She shared that according to research, 27% of breast cancers can be avoided with changes to lifestyle and 7% just by being more active.
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Walk the Walk did a survey this year which revealed that 90% of people realise that walking helps them mentally and physically, but less than 40% of participants did anything about it and implemented walking into their routine.
Nina explained: “It’s clear people have the message and are finding reasons why they can’t, or maybe they don’t know how.
“The 5k Zoom is very achievable, requiring no training and very little time. That’s the beauty of it, two hours later you have done something really good and can carry on the rest of your Saturday.”
This year is extra special, as the 5-star Langham Hotel will be supporting the event in celebration of its 160th anniversary. Every £30 raised will give participants one entry into the prize draw and will be in with a chance of winning a night in one of their Superior rooms.
Date: Saturday 17th May
Time: Gates open at 10:15am on the day.
Tickets: Entries for the 5K ZOOM Walk are open at www.walkthewalk.org until 3pm on Friday 16th May.
Walkers will also be able to sign up in person at Clapham Common on the morning of Saturday 17th May, between 9.30am and 10.30am.
To enter, it’s £19.99 for adults, £12 for under 16s and a fundraising minimum of £30.
