Each Walk1200km walker has a different story. Here’s how six participants managed the journey.

“My first 1200km of the year”

Shirley Keen walks 3-5km each day and to celebrate knocking off her first 1200km, she started planning how to reach the next 1200 by the end of 2023. She managed a steep climb to Rawhiti Cave just two days before having a knee replaced. “About 20m before the cave I was nearly ready to give up … so pleased I pushed that last bit. I was so proud of this moment and still am.”

The knee surgery made things “a bit harder” and Shirley takes it one day at a time, but the Challenge has taught her “I can do anything I put my mind to”.

Does she think others can Walk1200km too? “Absolutely!”

“I’m so happy with this success”

This is Annette Webb’s second year of Walk1200km and she’s beaten her own time by three months. Last year she reached 1200km from one October to the next. This time around she decided to “bank as many kilometres as possible expecting to have a sluggish winter”, but a good routine helped to achieve daily and weekly targets.

Annette travels a lot for work, but her highlight is “being home early enough from work and going for my evening walks with hubby. We get to chat about our day and plan our next adventures    or life plans.”

She has recommended the Walk1200km challenge to friends: “This challenge allows you to be in control, at your pace, in your own time. No pressure. The reward of just finishing  the challenge is an epic feeling of achievement. It’s never too late to start!”

“The mental health benefits kept me going”

At 70 years of age Jenny Bishop’s lifestyle block and part-time work keep her busy and active, but she still found time to walk 1200km after her daughter recommended the challenge. Walking in the morning before work and again after work, she reached 1200km before her daughter. For both of them, the best thing is the mental health benefits of walking: “Things just pop into your head and clear up!”

Jenny posted her achievement to the Walk1200km Facebook group – “such a positive, supportive group” – and has started on her next 1200km.

“I didn’t care if it was hot or raining; I just wanted to walk, so I did!”

Walking 1200km is a challenge for most people, but Sheila Moreton’s story is truly inspiring.

“I started walk1200km because I left my volunteer job and worried that I would sink into a depression and hide away at home, which would be detrimental to my journey back from 30 years of the same. It gave me a reason to get out every day. My highlight was realising that I could walk!

“Having been misdiagnosed and over-medicated for many years, using a wheelchair and living in a rest home, I had to fight to regain my independence. This made the challenge so personal. I found that walking along the river and through the park was my ‘happy place’. Anything I had on my mind just drifted away. I would recommend this challenge to anyone. It sounds like a lot of kilometres but it’s not really, especially if you just take it day by day!”

Sheila’s now full-steam ahead on her next 1200kms.

“Once I set a goal, I get pretty focused”

On cold, dark mornings in the deep south, Sally Feinerman sets off in time to appreciate the fantastic sunrises. Her original plan was to walk more in the summer, “so I would still hit my goal if I didn’t do as much in winter. But at the end of April I realised I would be finished in half the time; this was a great motivator to get out and walk, no matter what.”

Walking gives Sally “time out … to think and just be” while appreciating nature and the changing seasons. Would she recommend Walk1200km? “I sure would. It is a great way to stay motivated.”

“I did it! 24 weeks and 1 day”

Rebecca Jago has raised $1370 for the Mental Health Foundation while walking her 1200km. She hopes to add another 1200km before her January anniversary date. She injured her knee two weeks before the finish line and has been taking it a bit slower lately.

“I was angry that the one thing that was for me and my mental health was making me miserable! Fortunately, I have a friend who is a physio and he got me through those last few days.”

Rebecca started the challenge with a 3–4km afternoon dog walk, but then added a solo outing: “Those morning walks quickly became my favourite part of the day. Having that hour to think was so valuable.”

She says other highlights are the support received from friends and  family and the incredible group of  people met online. “Would I recommend this challenge to others? Yes, 100 per cent, especially if someone is feeling low, maybe stuck in a rut and in need of something manageable to get them moving.”

Replacing car journeys

Walk1200km is helping some participants to reduce their carbon footprint. We got a number of responses to the question, ‘Have you ever replaced a car journey with a walk?’

“I’m struggling with mid-week walks when I’m on an early start, so I’ve decided to park 1.5km from work and walk from there. That will give me an extra 3km for each of the two days I usually miss and will save a little petrol.”

– Janine White

“I’m about to start a new job soon, which will mean replacing a commute into town along the motorway with a 4.4km return walk. Looking forward to ditching the car and being able to walk to work, with school drop-off on the way!”

– Michelle Sim

“For many years I’ve chosen to walk, cycle or take public transport when feasible. Since Walk1200km, I’ve taken this up a notch! Right now I’m in Picton helping to look after my two-year-old grandson. We walk everywhere – well, he runs and I do my best to keep up. I’m squirrelling away more kilometres than I have for a couple of months. Great for my health and fitness, and for the planet.”

– Diana Ward