Kokoda Man Walk

Ten Man Walkers and five men from the Wollongong charity Barstool Brothers have returned from their epic hike on the Kokoda Trail.

“It was 12 hours a day for nine days! It was basically a really big Man Walk,” says Mark Burns, founder and now CEO of The Man Walk.

“We got the chance to do lots of walking and talking, that’s for sure!”

It brought in men from different Man Walks including Kiama, Gerringong, Shellharbour, Wollongong and Queensland.

“It fit our vision of connecting men, strengthening communities and put our walk and talk support on a bigger scale,” Mark says.

The 96 kilometre trek through the Papua New Guinea mountains is known for its rugged and isolated terrain, making it one challenging trail.

“We were only the second adventure group to go through since it closed three years ago. It was really overgrown and bridges were washed away so we had to go through a lot more water,” Mark says.

Despite its hardships, the same dates are booked in for next year.

“We’re going to do it all again but this time as a fundraiser for the Man Walk.”

Mark is now working in a full-time role as the CEO of The Man Walk, leaving his physiotherapist practice.

“I’ve left my profession for the while to devote all of my energy to The Man Walk. It’s an unpaid position but it’s my full focus now,” Mark says.

As CEO, his goal is to grow the organisation and raise money to offer more to members.

“If I can find some money, ideally government and corporate funding, in my role as a CEO it means I can offer events and functions on top of the free walks,” Mark says.

From a standing start, there are 82 Man Walks happening weekly around Australia and three overseas in Dublin, Niagara and Derby. All with the same goal of combating social isolation and loneliness in men.

Mark says there are plans to walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a ‘National Man Walk Day’ in November to bring participants from various Man Walks together for a second time.

Email ceo@themanwalk.com. au to join next year’s Kokoda Trail, 8 – 18 March.

Local Walk starting times: Gerringong Surf Club Tuesdays 4.30pm and Fridays 7.30am

Kiama: Nude Café Fridays 6am Jamberoo:

King’s Patisserie and Café

Mondays and Fridays 6.15am