It is around the 19-mile mark that a marathon runner hits ‘a wall'.

That number also represents a barrier for regular walker Marilyn Steede who is digging her heals into the roads to help Bermuda Stroke and Family Support Association founder and chairman, Mark Selley, achieve a ten-year dream.

However, Ms Steede isn't thinking in terms of miles, but rather hours as she aims to walk for 24 hours straight to raise funds to help the charity raise funds to set up a Rehabilitation Unit for stroke survivors at the hospital.

None of the few people she has shared her goal with - even well meaning friends - think she can do it. But having walked for 19 hours non-stop a few weeks ago in preparation, Ms Steede believes the extra five hours is within her reach.

“It's not going to be a piece of cake, I know that,” she acknowledged.

“I will finish, I'm not going to end up with egg on my face. I have made a commitment to the people of Bermuda for financial support, therefore I will make it happen.”

Ms Steede will attempt the feat next Sunday, starting off at Warwick Camp at 5 a.m. and heading in an easterly direction to St. George's via the South Shore. She will then return in a westerly direction along North Shore and then to Somerset via the Middle Road.

Considering she takes about five-and-a-half hours to complete the end to end walk, Ms Steede should walk the island twice - give or take a few miles, finishing at 5 a.m. on Monday, March 31. Her finishing location will come at the 24-hour mark, after which Ms Steede plans to book into a local hotel for a couple of days to catch up on some sleep.

“This is not going to be a speed thing, but at the same time I'm not going to be crawling,” said Ms Steede.

“When I did the 19 hours about three weeks ago, I felt fine and went to work the next day. I've been in training for this for about a year now. My training doesn't consist of just walking, yes, I have been walking and yes, mileage is important, but I'm cross training, playing tennis, jogging, doing aerobics and walking.”

That Ms Steede is prepared to do so much for the charity is commendable, considering neither she nor anyone in her family have had a stroke.

“It just seems that here lately everything I look somebody I know has had a stroke,” explained Ms Steede who regularly attends the support group meetings.

“I started to think ‘I don't hear much about assistance for stroke survivors' and so I joined the Stroke Support Group and meet with them the third Wednesday of every month. Just to see what assistance or support I can give, and also it gives me an insight into what to look for or expect should it happen to me or a member of my family. People should realise that it could happen at any time to anybody.”

Ms Steede plans to walk for 24 hours without stopping for any breaks, keeping bathroom breaks to as short a period as possible. She welcomes company during stages of the walk, but reminds that those joining in are taking responsibility for their own health.

“I'm planning on doing it alone but should anybody feel they want to come out and join me at any interval, feel free to do it,” she urges.

“They can do their morning walk with me an hour or so, I don't mind the company. But anybody who wants to join me will join under their own volition, we will not be held responsible for any injuries.”

The route will be east on South Shore from Warwick Camp to Tucker's town and to St. George's, over Barracks Hill, around the forts and back out, on North Shore to Admiralty House and down Pitt's Bay Road, Front Street, over Trimingham Hill and then on the Middle Road to Dockyard and back out of Dockyard.

“I'm planning on having one vehicle escort who will monitor me and give me support.”

Ms Steede is familiar with rigorous training, having served for 12 years in the Bermuda Regiment where she rose to the rank of Warrant Officer, the only female to achieve that. She is also a certified physical fitness instructor and is involved in various charities.

“I've been walking forever,” said Ms Steede who has competed in about 11 end to end walks.

“I think nothing of walking six hours on any given walk, and that is at a pace quicker than what I will be doing on this day. Walking from Hamilton to St. George's is normal.