TIGNISH - Four hundred thousand steps. That, according to a rug hooking support team member Marion Murphy presented to Carol Evans is the approximate number of steps Evans and each of her team members took during their Hike for Health.
Their eight-day, 291 kilometre hike from one end of Prince Edward Island's Confederation Trail to the other, ended at Kilometre Zero Wednesday afternoon in Tignish.
"It was tough. It was hot and we were tired to start off with," Evans said of the final leg of the walk
Even the onlookers were sweating as they waited in the shade for Evans, Karin Gagne, Noella Gaudet and Vernon Buote to complete their 35.3-kilometre trek from Bloomfield on a day when the temperature soared past the 30 degree mark. Nancy Murphy walked most of the trail with the team and others did sections with them.
Several family members and friends went out to meet them as they came into view. They poured into Tignish Bicentennial Park to cheers, hugs and foot massages.
"We knew we were going to have a tough day because we were exhausted," Evans said. "The heat was taking its toll." She said the build up of support as they drew nearer their destination gave them energy.
"I reached the big 60 today and I told myself I'm going to make it and I'm here," Evans gushed.
She doesn't plan to repeat the feat. "Never again," she said. "I just know I did it and that satisfies me now." She's not ruling out other milestone events in the future, though. She'd like to try sky-diving.
Hike for Health raised at least $22,400 for the Prince County Hospital's Equipment Fund. The walkers and their support team are confident the final total will be somewhat higher.
The proceeds will be applied towards the purchase of an echocardiogram machine which carries a price tag of $102,000.
"It was a dream for all Islanders, for better health care," Evans said in a wrap-up speech."
"And for better health," she added. "I think if we all started walking a little bit each day, our health would improve."
Evans has been thinking about walking the Island for 25 years and three years ago decided to make it happen as a 60th birthday celebration. As she gradually let the secret out of the bag, others joined up. She praised a support team, which included her husband Don, sons Curt and Darrel, Reg Murphy and Marion Murphy, for taking care of all the other details including food and lodging. Local chapters of the Catholic Women's League billeted the team in the eastern and western parts of the province.
Evans suggested the Confederation Trail could be a means to better health. Calling it "the best-kept secret in P.E.I.," she said she didn't meet many walkers during the eight days they were on the trail.
"We've got to take initiative to look after ourselves and get out there and walk," she said.
