Tracking our Trek - FAQ

As the walk quickly approaches I've had a lot of questions from friends and family about tracking our progress, cheering stations and just how long it will take.

Here's a bit of an FAQ to help provide those answers:

Does the Avon Walk offer tracking like most marathons do these days?

Nope. But, if you have an iPhone and you really want to be able to see how I'm doing I'll turn on the "share my location" service with you for the weekend so you can follow my progress.

What is the route?

They don't tell us the specific route, there is a general map but it is missing lots of detail. But basically, we begin near the Washington Monument and make our way to Meadowbrook Park in Chevy Chase, MD, but in a pretty circuitous fashion to cover 26 miles. On Sunday we walk from Meadow Brook Park back to the Washington Monument, but it a more direct route.

Are there places where people can come out to cheer the walkers on?

Absolutely. Supporters are welcome to be at opening ceremony, "Base Camp 39" where we'll end on Saturday evening and at the finish line on Sunday. Opening ceremony and the finish line on Sunday are next to the Washington Monument. In addition, there are lots of "Cheering Stations"along the way.

• Cheering Station Locations

It gives general time estimates for "peak viewing times" at each station. 

But how do I know when you'll be walking by a cheering station?

Well, if you are an iPhone user you can ask to track me. Or, just use the general formula that we'll be walking 3 miles an hour, and stopping for roughly 10 minutes to take a break every 6 or so miles. Plus probably about 30 minutes for lunch at mile 13.1.

The first cheering station is near Union Station and is 6.5 miles in to the walk. I expect we'll be going by there around 9:15.

We'll probably hit the Starbucks in Tenleytown (mile 18.4) around 2ish. I will probably be making that my own rest stop and getting a yummy drink from said Starbucks.

What time do you think you'll finish the 26.2 miles and reach Base Camp 39?

I'm guessing Saturday will take us about 10 hours, putting us at Base Camp by 5 pm.

What about on Sunday, when will you cross the finish line?

Accounting for perhaps a slower pace on Sunday, I expect we'll cross the finish line between noon and 12:30.

Are you camping?

Nope. I don't camp under other circumstances so I'm certainly not going to walk 26 miles and then sleep on the ground. And then get up and walk 13 miles. Nope, nope, nope. We will be staying at the event hotel and taking a shuttle bus back and forth between Base Camp and the hotel on Saturday evening/Sunday morning.

Please tell me you are taking Monday off work. 

Yes, I am.