Turkey fans face double marathon

FESTIVE revellers will need to walk 60 miles to burn off a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

Researchers said people are wildly underestimating how much they will eat this yuletide.

They found the average Brit thinks they will consume about 2,384 calories on Christmas Day – when they will actually scoff about 6,000. This would take the equivalent of more than two marathons to walk off.

Yet many people predict they would need to stroll only 17 miles to burn off the festive feast.

And almost four out of 10 – 37% – admitted they were too lazy for a Christmas walk, with 30% choosing to just watch TV.

More than one in 10 actively hate the traditional Christmas walk, and label it a “pointless activity”.

A fifth of those who went on a walk did so to escape family dramas, while 9% only did it so that they could get to the pub.

The study was carried out by Walking With The Wounded and Help For Heroes. The two charities are now urging people to do a walking challenge to raise funds for veterans and their families.

Edward Parker from

Walking With The Wound- ed, and Mel Waters from Help For Heroes said: “Many veterans find themselves isolated and alone at Christmas.

“Going on a Christmas or Boxing Day walk to raise a little money is the perfect way to not only make that turkey taste even better, but also know that you’re giving something back to those who really need it.”

Ultra-runner and Army captain Tom Evans added: “Getting involved with Walking Home For Christmas, especially with friends and family, is not only a great way to prepare for the festive feast but more importantly, you’ll be helping vulnerable ex-service men and women who greatly need support over the Christmas period.”