Daniel calls it George on distance walking ventures

Earl “Ole George” Daniel has called it quits on his adventures in endurance walking, but will be channelling his energies in using walking as a means of physical fitness.

Daniel made his final walk last weekend, traversing several part of mainland St Vincent, according to him, to bring awareness to HIV/AIDS, diabetes and mental illness.

On his final walk, which he labelled as “bitter- sweet” , Daniel walked from Richmond to Kingstown on Friday, while on Saturday, he covered from Fancy to Arnos Vale via some parts of the interior and on Sunday, he culminated by journeying from Lowmans Windward to Kingstown.

Explaining his reasoning behind the final walk, Daniel said: “I think the timing was right, as people feel a sense of finality to pay more attention to get the message home to HIV AIDS, diabetes and mental illness… These are three things that are under rated, underestimated, sidelined.’

“People also believe that AIDS is something that you should not talk about in public… In addition, a lot of people don’t know their status and are afraid to get tested,” Daniel added.

He noted that people are paying little attention to their lifestyle; hence diabetes creeps on to them, while persons who suffer from mental illness are often scorned and scoffed at.

Daniel has ventured out on various walks since 2002, all geared towards a social element, but with dual functions.

Among his adventures were walking for 24 hours, two days, three days, six days and eight days.

Daniel explained that his extended walks were in addition to get into the Guinness Book of Records. Daniel said that he wanted to defy some of the theories purported by the medical journals.

Apart from walking several times here in his native St Vincent and the Grenadines, Daniel has also done distance journeys in Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, from Montreal to New York.

But despite leaving the active walking scene, Daniel said he will be lending his expertise in that field, so as to continue the habit, as a hobby and for physical fitness.

Looking ahead, Daniel proposed, “I am going to start an Ole George Walking Club in the country… Clubs will be set up throughout the country, so that people can get involved in fitness … We have already established connections in Owia and in Fancy…To be part of the club, you have to commit to doing some form of voluntary work”.