We’re halfway there…

Read more from

July/August 2025

As many Walk1200km participants pass the six-month threshold, we asked how they are doing.

Kilometres banked for winter

At the end of May I’ve completed 662km so I have a bit in hand for winter – it gets harder to fit walks into daylight and it’s as dark as sin around here with no street lighting in rural areas.

The challenge has prompted me to get out and walk more of our district and find some new trails and suburban walks.

– Julie Malcolm

Making it tougher

I have passed the 1200km target already but I have a personal challenge: this year I am aiming to do 10,000 steps every day, which for my short legs is approximately 6.5km. So far I have achieved it every day this calendar year. On the days I haven’t felt like walking, the potential disappointment in myself for having a blank day has got me out the door, even in the dark. So the challenge is working!

The great thing about Walk1200km is that we can each have a valid, unique personal goal.

– Amanda Collins

An ambitious goal

I’m hoping to walk 2025km this year, but I’m a little bit behind! I’m walking most days, but it does take a fair bit of time. I think I might need to start doing double days – a walk in the morning and then a walk in the evening.

– Helayna Ruifrok

A bit of catching up to do

I was clocking 100km a month but then got sick in April so did not manage much walking. I started again in May, but I do have some catching up to do!

– Linda Pike

Determined to finish

Walk1200km is a brilliant project and so well executed. It’s clearly touching many and varied people in a totally positive way. I’m a bit behind at this stage due to the things that happen in life, but I have never considered giving up.The big and the small hiccups are just that. Hiccups that I will overcome.

– Sue Hodson

Exploring new places

I started the challenge on New Year’s Day and reached 600km – halfway – on May 26!

Walking has become a hobby now. I’m not just taking the dog for a walk every day but exploring new trails in the Wellington region, some with my dog but longer or more difficult walks without him. Last month I climbed Mt Kaukau for the first time.

Thank you, Wilderness, for the 1200km inspiration.

– Mary Quin

It’s helping my tramping fitness

It’s more of a challenge now that it’s dark at 6pm, and you need blind faith that you will not step in some dog remnants on the footpath. I’m currently 2km off 700km. One of the best things about the challenge is that it keeps me off the damn mobile – although I do use Strava to measure my walks.

This is the first time I’ve done Walk1200km and it’s certainly helping me with fitness, for tramping and hunting, and keeping my clothes from ‘shrinking’ in the wardrobe!

– John Quigley

Walking through the pain

Walk1200km has been a key motivator for me for the last few years. I’ve always been a walker and a tramper but having goals to achieve is also great for keeping up the momentum. I’m so proud of myself for walking 2700km+ last year after breaking my leg on the Old Ghost Road in late 2023, and I’m still on the waiting list for an ankle fusion as a result of that and progressive arthritis.

In the next three weeks I’ll pass the 1200km mark for 2025 and will keep pressing on till the waiting list delivers me to the surgeon’s table.

Thank you for this challenge which inspires everyday people to get out and walk and enjoy our beautiful country.

– Linda Keesing-Styles

Gear to help you walk more this month

Back Country Cuisine Thai Chicken Curry from $11.99

Enjoy the distinctive Thai taste of coconut milk and curry with freeze-dried chicken, green beans, rice and cashew nuts. Gluten free. www.backcountrycuisine.co.nz

Bushline Raspberry Apple Bircher $11.99

Start your walk on the right foot with this ready-to-eat bircher breakfast. With a combination of nuts, seeds, raspberries and Nelson apples. www.yumnz.co.nz