UPDATED JULY 22, 2010

The Walk of woMAN was completed on Saturday July 10th. Marlowe Andreyko started the walk alone at Davis Drive, Newmarket at 9AM. He was joined 25KMs later by his wife at Finch Ave. Accompanying Marlowe for the remainder of the walk (15KM), the couple would be joined by two more women at the Eaton Centre before reaching the Lake at the foot on Yonge Street at 6PM; nine hours after the walk started.

Walk highlights and photos

9AM: THE STARTING LINE

Fresh and full after a large breakfast, I depart from the busy intersection of Davis Drive and Yonge. Preparations like Google Maps and scoping out the road in a car are never quite enough to prevent surprises for when you have to get down to it. When you're looking to make good time, straight paths are nice and winding paths like this one are not.

10AM–1PM: A LONELY ROAD

After six hours mostly alone, you get used to walking on gravel sometimes, being exposed to the elements, not seeing much of anything. Though there's a gradual increase in development as you go south on Yonge (and I didn't exactly start in the boonies), reaching Finch felt really urban! It also meant I'd have company; in the form of my wife (second from left).

2:45-4PM: THE BIG PUSH

The challenges outside the city had been fighting dehydration and poor walking routes. Having walked 31KMs to Toronto, you could say these challenges were replaced with sore joints and the need to stop frequently at intersections. There would be no more breaks after this; just straight down to the Lake.

4PM-6PM: DAY'S END

Lisette and I were joined at the Eaton Centre by two friends who would see us to the Lake. I had refused to take a break after Highway #7 to improve my time. Maybe for this reason my foot swelled up around College Street, slowing me down considerably. After another 15 minutes however, we found ourselves at the foot of Yonge Street to a small but appreciative group of supporters — friends and some Ernestine's staff.

I would like to warmly thank everyone who was involved in supporting me before and during the 46.8KMs and those who contributed to Ernestine's Women's Shelter. If you still wish to make a contribution, you still can.

See the "45km NEWMARKET" in the image to the left? That was actually one of the smaller measurements embedded into the pavement at 1 Yonge St. Right near it was one that said "88km BARRIE". Sounds like a worthwhile challenge. See you next year.