Peter Shaw has walked more than 4500km so far this year. Photo: Supplied
Taupō’s Peter Shaw is a man on a mission. Next year the 23-year-old is aiming to become a Centurion Walker. There have only been 38 officially recognised in New Zealand since 1968.
By Brayden Lindsay
With petrol prices on the rise, Peter began walking to work a little bit more and gradually it grew from there. He now just walks the eight-kilometre return journey to work daily and sometimes even adds a longer walk on weekends.
"It’s just quite convenient. Last year I finished my degree at Toi Ohomai. After that I have been working here in Taupō and with the price of petrol going up walking has become my main mode of transport.
“The majority of my walking is for work. I enjoy taking the longer routes to work. I’m aiming to finish the year strong.”
So far this year he has walked more than 4500km, which is further than the distance across Australia from Perth to Sydney.
Peter said people often stop and talk to him in Taupō, having noticed that he’s always out walking.
“A couple weeks ago I set out on a 75km walk on a Saturday morning and it took me a fair while but I achieved it. It was a big challenge.”
He said walking to work had definitely helped his fitness and made him more alert during the day.
“It’s been good for my wellbeing.”
Next year he is hoping to tackle a 100-mile walk which equates to 160km.
“It’s going to be tough. The most I have done in a one-day is 87km back in March. I am fitter and in a better mindset than then. It’s got to be done in under 24 hours.
“I learned a lot from that walk. It has definitely better prepared me. From where I am now, I can do 100km but 100 miles that is a different question. It still means plenty of improvement.”
Walking to work six days a week is most of his training, while Sunday sees him walking more than 20km a day.
The weather can change very easily.
“I almost always have a rain jacket in case the weather goes tits up. It doesn’t bother me if it's raining. I am still walking. It’s a discipline thing.”
So far this year he has gone through five pairs of walking shoes and has landed on Asics as his favourites.
“Asics are great. I think they will be my choice of shoe for the 100km walk."
Before he started walking to work, Peter admitted he wasn’t much of an outdoorsy person.
He will head back to Auckland in May to try and crack the Centurion challenge.
Shaw admits there’s still the odd stop off at KFC to fuel himself with quick energy for his walks.