Around 8am on the Sunday of Labour Weekend, twelve participants dribbled into Victory Square, to sign in with Debbie and Ray. After the organiser's safety briefing, and ensuring that Pete promised not to sabotage the other team's tokens, the count-down began.

12 km Megawalk - ready.... steady.....

At 8:20am the three teams set off across the million-dollar pedestrian crossings, aiming for the Railway Reserve pathway. 2km along this, they located a gnarly wee staircase that led up to Jenner Road. Beyond this, the walkers dropped down another gnarly staircase to reach Murphy Street. A grass track was followed to find a concrete walkway that climbed up to Matipo Terrace. At the far end of this, the new-ish Te Manu trail brought them all down to the top end of Emano Street.

Onward and upward! The fire break was ascended to reach Observatory Terrace. This connected with Princes Drive, and the Tasman Lookout. A sneaky staircase disappeared down to Commodore Place, another two trails to arrive on Chamberlain Street. A sidle above Tahunanui Drive saw the contestants arrive at the bottom of the notorious face climb, a.k.a. The Tamaki Steps, all 355 of them. By this stage, the eight-year-old boy had apparently lost the will to live.

Back atop Princes Drive, Pipers and Bobs Tracks were used to travel north. Peter pushed too fast past the turnoff, losing valuable time. Thus, his team of experienced trampers arrived home last in the field of children and newcomers. The first two teams found the hidden checkpoint at Pipers Park without problems.

Days Track deposited the intrepid walkers to Toi Toi Street, and back to base. Passing through the second checkpoint, they crossed Vanguard Street into a maze of one-lane streets and five hidden walkways around Hampden Terrace and Renwick Place. Tokens were taken at checkpoint three at Quaker's Acre off Rutherford Street. The final steps led down to Vanguard and Victory, a fitting name to reward Kim, Steve and Brooke. Not far behind were Tim, Barbara and Alison (on her second Mega-Walk). Racing in their shadow were the NTC team of Astroid, Peter, Michele and her father Malcolm. No prizes for third place :-)

Victory MegaWalk 2025 Entrants 1