Aotearoa’s 11 Great Walks usually take two to six days each to complete, but one woman is attempting to complete the lot within 11 days.

Bridget Johnson, creative arts associate professor and artist by day, has spent the last few years training as an ultrarunner and has completed several 100km races and achieved the fastest recorded time for a route encompassing the Tongariro Northern Circuit and Round the Mountain Track. She has found inspiration in the feats of other ultrarunners, such as Andrew Robinson and Jordan Pratt, who both completed 10 Great Walks in 10 days, and Brooke Thomas, who achieved the fastest known time on Te Araroa.

“These athletes have shown it’s possible. I’m keen to take the opportunity to push my comfort zone and seek adventure,” says Johnson. 

She believes she will be the first woman to attempt the 11 Great Walks in 11 days. 

Johnson will start in January 2025 at Lake Waikaremoana and work her way south. She will be accompanied by her husband, ‘crew chief’ Jim Murphy, and other runners will join her when they can.

“Every Great Walk and major travel section has a plan A, B and C,” she said. “I’ll be relying heavily on my crew to help make decisions and adapt as things go wrong. They’ll be in charge of the plans and I’ll be in charge of running, eating and sleeping.”

The 145km of the Whanganui River Great ‘Walk’ has gone from the most daunting part of the project to the one Johnson is most looking forward to. She has been learning how to kayak and has increased her strength training.

“I’m hoping this adventure will inspire others to dream big, push outside their comfort zone, and do something that makes them feel awesome,” she says.