Steve Tribe clocked up big distances by creating his own fundraising walk.

The benefits of walking are well known to Steve Tribe.

He regularly races up Wellington’s Mt Kaukau after work to watch the sunset and de-stress.

Now he’s introducing others to walking and the Walk1200km challenge while raising funds for the Cancer Society.

Steve had long wondered whether it was possible to walk off-road from Wellington’s south coast to Mt Kaukau near his home in Khandallah, so in January 2021 he and his tramping mates attempted the journey using the city’s network of trails.

Their 37km route included a height gain of 1650m.

In rough weather, just two of nine starters made it to the end but Steve was undeterred and set about organising a charity walk on the same course.

In kinder conditions this January, all 30 walkers in the Sea to Skyline Challenge reached Mt Kaukau in nine to 11 hours. Together, they raised $20,000 for the Cancer Society.

He thinks practice sessions before the charity walk made a difference.

“People got to know each other and that was good when it got tough on the day – they could support and encourage one another.”

Several of the participants have now joined Steve in the Walk1200km challenge, having experienced for themselves the benefits of walking.