For Fiona Bersani, the benefits of doing the Walk1200km challenge go beyond fitness.

Fiona Bersani was already a keen walker when she joined the Walk1200km challenge.

“Early on, my husband asked why I was doing it,” she says. “Taking on the challenge meant I had purpose, I looked for new and longer walks, and it increased my fitness and strength considerably.”

She spotted Walk1200km on Facebook and joined the challenge a month before walking the Paparoa Track.

“It was an excellent incentive and encouraging to see the kilometres clock up.”

Fiona likes the challenge’s bite-sized approach – that 3.3km a day equals 1200km over 12 months, although from the start she aimed to do better.

In the end, she walked 1200km in seven months, with a daily average of 5.2km.

The distance was accumulated through local walks and day trips, and Fiona, who works for Ngāi Tahu Tourism, co-guided a group on the Hollyford Track in March.

“I did it three times last season and my fitness and strength were definitely better this time,” she says.

Her regular walks are now up to 7.5km, double the distance she was doing before the challenge.

Walk1200km also aligns with Fiona’s belief in the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.

“I think it’s an excellent challenge for people at any time, and especially at the moment.”

If you haven’t already signed up for the Walk1200km challenge, you might be wondering what it’s all about. Simple really: the goal is to walk 1200km over 12 months (it takes just 45 minutes a day). The challenge officially started in September 2021 and it relaunches this September. Keep an eye out for our October issue which has all the details, including a free Progress Tracker. Find out more at wildernessmag.co.nz/walk1200km.