View source for The Long Distance Walkers Association

The '''Long Distance Walkers Association''' ('''LDWA''') is a British association whose aim is "to further the common interests of those who enjoy Long Distance Walking".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldwa.org.uk/library/association/association.php|title=Memorandum and Articles of Association|work=Long Distance Walkers Association|accessdate=30 March 2010}}</ref>  It was established in 1972 by Chris Steer, Alan and Barbara Blatchford and has over 8,800 members.<ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldwa.org.uk/history.php|title=LDWA History|work=Long Distance Walkers Association|accessdate=30 March 2010}}</ref>  It defines a "long distance walk" as "any walk over 20 miles".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldwa.org.uk/faqs.php#WhatMakes|title=FAQ: What makes a walk long-distance|work=Long Distance Walkers Association|accessdate=30 March 2010}}</ref>

The association has 43 local groups which organise walks for their members, and publishes a journal ''Strider'' three times a year. Walks fall into two categories. Group walks (also referred to as social walks) are normally led walks of around 20 miles in length. Challenge events<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6590209.stm Walkers prepare for 24-hour trek]</ref> are normally between 20 and 100 miles, are self led (i.e. participants navigate the route based on written instructions) and must generally be completed within a defined time limit. Challenge walks are marshalled i.e. participants must call in at clipper points or checkpoints to get a tally card punched to show they are following the route. Information about group walks, challenge events (including ones arranged by other organisations who agree to the association's conditions for challenge walks) and other information of interest to walkers such as a database of long distance paths in the UK can be found via the association's web site. The LDWA also offers both members and non-members the opportunity to have their hill walking achievements recognised as well as completion of the UK [https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ National Trails].

The LDWA's annual "Hundred" event,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/6691415.stm Walkers' day-night 100 mile trek]</ref><ref>[http://outdoorfitnessmag.com/very-challenging-behaviour/ Very Challenging Behaviour] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408034724/http://outdoorfitnessmag.com/very-challenging-behaviour/ |date=8 April 2016 }}</ref> entailing walking 100 miles in 48 hours,<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Your-Feet-Hallucinatory-Hundred-Mile-ebook/dp/B00I56FUO2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1458291199&sr=8-3&keywords=on+your+feet Out on Your Feet: The Hallucinatory World of Hundred-Mile Walking]</ref> takes place each Spring Bank Holiday weekend.<ref name=history />

The Association, along with the [[Ramblers Association]], is recognised by [[Sport England]] as the [[Sport governing body|governing body]] for "Rambling" in England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportengland.org/about_us/recognised_sports.aspx |title=Which sports do we recognise? |work=Sport England |accessdate=30 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520041023/http://www.sportengland.org/about_us/recognised_sports.aspx |archivedate=20 May 2013 }}</ref>