Stacey Walden finds walking makes her feel better and the challenge has helped her get out more.

Stacey Walden grew up as a city kid on the outskirts of Toronto, Canada.

But after joining the outdoor club at her university, Stacey’s passion for nature took off and she now describes herself as a “super-active person”.

“If I don’t get out enough, I don’t feel very good,” says Stacey, a Bay of Plenty teacher who moved to New Zealand about 15 years ago.

Walk1200km will allow her to see how far she walks in a year.

It’s the first time Stacey, 44, has recorded distances, and she has discovered that she covers extra ground during the school holidays when she has more time to go out.

Her tally was boosted when she walked  the Kepler Track last December and the Milford Track in April with her husband and two children, then aged 8 and 10.

“I love walking with my kids and husband,” Stacey says. “It’s a great family thing to do.”

Stacey has put more effort into walking thanks to Walk1200km.

She hit 1200km in June and now has a new goal – to walk 1600km before her year is up on September 30.

Within the mix have been adventure races and more than 100km in support of Movem-ber, a fundraising initiative for prostate cancer.

Stacey says she loves how accessible the outdoors is in New Zealand, and it’s a reason why she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

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.