The ‘Leith Legends’, comprising two teams, are walking the distance from Edinburgh to Boston in 140 days to ‘virtually’ arrive at the Gillette Stadium ahead of Scotland’s first game against Haiti.

The ‘March to the Match’ will be the longest journey attempted by tenants who have previously walked the distance from John o’Groat’s to Land’s End (1,280 miles) and from Alloway to Dumfries in the footsteps of Robert Burns (60 miles).

The challenge officially kicked off with a walk around Easter Road Stadium, with the two walking squads adorned with Scotland flags and team t-shirts. They will finish their challenge on Sunday, 14 June, to coincide with Scotland arriving at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Maureen Combe, sheltered housing manager at Harbour Homes, said: “This is an exciting year to be a Scotland supporter. With this challenge, both football fans and non-football fans alike can get involved in all the thrills and the atmosphere that a World Cup brings.

“It is known that increased movement and group exercise are among the best things we can do to look after our health as we age, and those taking part are motivated by the benefits walking brings to them. This year’s teams are up for the challenge, and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way!”

Kathleen Devine, who is participating in the challenge, said: “I joined Leith Legends and March to the Match to improve my walking and get my steps up. I really enjoyed our first team walk at Easter Road Stadium. It was lovely to participate, and being part of a team walking together felt really good. It was great to meet tenants from the other developments. I’m really looking forward to lots more walking and counting our steps together until we reach Boston!”

The two teams taking part are ‘We’re Still-Game’ and the ‘Pro-Aimers’. They will be aiming to walk a collective 22 miles per day for 140 days.