Beat the feet for disaster readiness
Walk to raise awareness of need to be prepared
If a large earthquake struck Wellington, roads and rail links would likely be damaged for a week or longer, meaning the many people who commute into the capital would have to walk home.
To raise awareness of this, Wellington city-based commuters are invited to take part in the Long Walk Home — a long-distance walking challenge, organised by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (Wremo).
The walk is a total distance of 30km and participants can walk as far as they are comfortable.
There are multiple checkpoints along the route where people can decide to stop if they are close to home or have had enough.
A celebratory barbecue will be held at the Ngāti Toa Domain Hall after the event.
Wremo community resilience and recovery manager Dan Neely said it was important for commuters and workplaces in the city to get involved.
“There are a lot of benefits to participating in the Long Walk Home.
“Taking part raises awareness that many people will have no choice but to walk home after a large earthquake in the region.
“We want people to think about their emergency plans and keep essential walking supplies at work, such as comfy shoes, warm clothes, snacks, and water. Participating in the Long Walk Home helps people learn
how to be more prepared, mentally, and physically.”
He said the event was not a race but a shared challenge where participants are encouraged to get to know one another, support each other, and have fun.
The event is open to people of all ages and abilities, with most taking between five and six hours to complete the walk.
Neely said workplaces that get involved and support their staff will be contributing to their own business continuity, as well as playing a key role in building our region’s resilience.
“Well-prepared staff, who can get home safely, are in a much stronger position to return to work once they have checked on their families.”
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To find out more about the Long Walk Home, view the route and register, go to wremo.nz/longwalkhome.