Dover and East Kent are to host the UK’s top challenge walking event.

The Cinque Ports Hundred will take place over the bank holiday weekend of May 26-28 2018, following the decision of the Long Distance Walking Association’s national committee to award the 100-mile challenge walk to its Kent group.

The LDWA organises challenge walks, which must be completed within certain times, all over the country. The annual 100-mile challenge, which attracts 500 walkers from across the United Kingdom, is the LDWA’s flagship event, and takes place in a different part of the country each year. The 100 miles must be completed within 48 hours, with checkpoints en route for rest and refreshments.

The Cinque Ports Hundred will be based at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, just outside Dover, with the walkers taken by bus to the start at Hastings. The route will follow coast and countryside, visiting all the Cinque Ports (Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover and Sandwich) plus the Cinque Port Ancient Towns (Winchelsea and Rye) and Cinque Ports Limbs including Deal, Lydd, Folkestone and Tenterden.

The Cinque Ports town councils are being contacted to ask for help with the event.

John Goodwin, a Dover town councillor and former deputy mayor, is also a keen walker and LDWA member who will be helping to organise the walk.

He said: “Dover Town Council, and I am sure all the Cinque Port towns, are absolutely thrilled to get the LDWA 100-mile walk for this area.

“Dover and the surrounding towns will benefit through accommodation providers, cafes, pubs and shops. More than 500 walkers, supporters, families and stewards will not just turn up and walk, but many will turn up days in advance to take part, providing the area with a welcome boost.

“To get the walk to Kent is an achievement. To come to our area is outstanding, and those walking our beautiful coastline, with our White Cliffs, and our towns, will realise what a wonderful area we live in.”

Dover Mayor Pam Brivio said Dover and east Kent getting the walk was “great news.”

Kent group of the LDWA organises walks throughout the year, mainly at weekends. The group organises three annual challenge walks in the county, including the White Cliffs Challenge, on August 30-31 next year, which will involve walks of 52 and 18 miles. For more details go to www.ldwa.kentorg.uk