By Esther Lauaki
Phil Bagshaw wears his love of walking on his sleeves.
The 71 year-old from the United Kingdom has clocked up about 20,000 kilometres walking around the world. He has sewn patches on his jacket for each competitive event he’s conquered in the past 35 years.
Mr Bagshaw arrived in Melbourne in January to visit Werribee-based family and jumped at the opportunity to take part in the five-kilometre Wyndham Vale Parkrun earlier this year. He said his mission was to encourage people of all ages to “get out and walk”.
“I want to promote walking because of the health benefits,” Mr Bagshaw said.
“I started walking in 1984 with the Long Distance Walkers Association in the UK.
“Walking is my life … I walk 20 kilometres a day, every single day.
“I get up in the morning and put on my walking shoes … I discover something or someone new every day.”
Mr Bagshaw said he finds motivation in “fun, fitness and friendship”.
“Walking brings all nationalities together for a common goal,” he said. “We will often talk about what’s going on in the world.”
He is organising an international long-distance walking event in France next year to celebrate his 72nd birthday.
Victorians are being urged to get physical as part of the Premier’s Active April health initiative. Active April participants can log their progress online via the website or by using the mobile app, while also collecting rewards in their virtual trophy cabinet.
Details: activeapril.vic.gov.au
