MoonWalk is another overnight success

MORE than 10,000 pink-clad walkers took to the streets of the capital for a huge charity walk in aid of breast cancer research.

• The crowds warm up for the Moonwalk. Pic Dan Phillips

Edinburgh was transformed by the MoonWalk event, which saw participants wearing decorated bras setting off at midnight from Inverleith Park on a 13.2 or 26.2 mile route.

Buildings around the city, including Edinburgh Castle, the Balmoral Hotel and the Royal Scottish Academy were lit up pink overnight in support of the event, which was expected to raise upwards of 3 million.

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TV presenter Lorraine Kelly rallied participants in the pink circus tent arena before taking part in the walk herself.

The event, which had a "Scottish Mardi Gras" theme, followed a route through Princes Street, The Mound, Arthur's Seat, Leith and Portobello, with walkers finishing back at Inverleith Park.

Julie Harper, 41, a clerk, from St Boswell's in the Borders, said: "It was pretty hard going for the last few miles, but I lost my mum to breast cancer in April, so there was no way I was going to give up."

Jennifer Graham, 27, a scientist, from Falkirk, said: "It was a great experience, but not one I'll be repeating in a hurry. The first 13 miles seems to be all uphill and it was sheer will power that got me there in the end."

Alison Williamson, 31, a cook, from Shetland, said: "Six of us came down and made a weekend of it in Edinburgh.

"It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, although it was a bit strange walking in the dark overnight as it's daylight all the time in Shetland at this time of year."

Kari Rigg, 29, an accountant from Aberdeenshire, said: "There were nine of us taking part and we think we'll have raised at least 3,500. One of our pals came up with the idea of taking part as a fun thing to do.

"It was good fun going through the city centre with all the tourists watching and people coming out of the pubs to cheer us on."

The MoonWalk has been staged in Edinburgh for the last four years, raising about 10 million to date.

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