A young track athlete swapped his running shoes for walking boots at the weekend when he joined a sergeant major on her annual 24-hour walkathon for charity.

Samuel Bean, who trains with Bermuda's national squad, walked with Marilyn Steede for 11 hours on Saturday, but has pledged to complete the whole course next year.

The 16-year-old told The Royal Gazette: "I just really commend her on doing what she does. I'm really astonished. She's kind of my role model or hero.

"Walking is a bit more difficult than running, I think. Walking is pretty tiring but I think with a bit more training I can definitely do it next year."

Samuel's father helps Ms Steede, who is chief clerk at the Regiment and a serving soldier, each year by following her on her route in his car and providing refreshments.

"I'm usually in the car with him and this year I just thought I'd do it with her," said the teenager. "She was walking by herself for a while and I thought of the reason she was doing it for charity.

"It was kind of spontaneous, what I did. The first nine hours was very relaxing. You get to think a lot, if you are not having conversations of course."

Samuel, who walked with Ms Steede from 7.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, is hoping to persuade his fellow students at Impact Mentoring Academy, a home school for boys in Flatts, to participate in 2010.

Ms Steede, who is aiming to raise thousands of dollars for the PALS cancer charity this year, said: "He was there with me the whole time for 11 hours. I thought that was good for a young person."

She was also joined at various points of her trek by politicians, with Opposition Leader Kim Swan, Government Chief Whip Lovitta Foggo, UBP Senators Michael Dunkley and Jeanne Atherden, Opposition MP Pat Gordon-Pamplin and independent Senator Joan Dillas-Wright all doing walking stints of several hours.

Anyone wishing to donate funds should call Ms Steede on 505-3977 or email steedeorama@northrock.bm.