Catherine and Chris Howell are finding motivation by doing the challenge together.

Walk1200km is not a competition for Catherine and Chris Howell, but they are egging each other on.

“One of us might be thinking it’s getting a bit late for a walk, and the other will be saying, ‘Come on,’” Catherine says.

After 30 years of growing grapes in Hawke’s Bay, the couple sold their vineyard last year and are now semi-retired in the Waikato, where Chris grew up. They used to do a lot of tramping together when they were younger, but once they had children it took a back seat.

For Catherine, Walk1200km is a chance to get back into tramping, and after five weeks of the challenge she is already feeling fitter and stronger.

Chris kept up his outdoor hobbies and would take the couple’s two daughters on tramping trips once or twice a year. He says it’s good to be walking with Catherine again and working towards the 1200km-in-a-year goal.

Close to home, they’ve been hitting various sections of the Waikato River trail between Ngāruawāhia and Lake Karāpiro.

Catherine has found walking every day makes it easier to stay on target, but says it’s nice to have overnighters in the mix.

Join Catherine and Chris in walking 1200km in 12 months. Register here.