MATTAPOISETT — Brad Hathaway reached his house to conclude his daily walk on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 31. He turned around at the end of his driveway and met a round of applause from the dozens of people who followed him on the walk.

This stroll was a special one for Hathaway as he reached 27,000 miles walked.

Friends and family members congratulated Hathaway, who celebrated his 92nd birthday this year.

In 2020, Hathaway hit 24,901 miles walked, the equivalent of walking around the entire globe.

Members of the Mattapoisett community followed Hathaway on his daily route. Others waited outside of homes along the way, wishing him congratulations.

“This is quite a surprise for me,” said Hathaway of the amount of people joining him for the walk. “Thank you so much. If you can’t do the mile, I understand.”

Little to Hathaway’s knowledge, Sue Maxwell was waiting on a side street. She emerged during the walk with her bagpipes in hand.

Maxwell had played the bagpipes alongside Hathaway as he completed his walk “around the world” in 2020.

Hathaway said he tried to get in contact with Maxwell to invite her to the walk but couldn’t find her.

She walked alongside Hathaway, playing the bagpipes loudly as he completed mile 27,000.

Also leading the pack was Hathaway’s son Josh.

“He walks with me every single day that my aid doesn’t walk with me,” said Hathaway of Josh.

Hathaway’s motivation to walk and track his progress began a few decades ago as a way to reduce his risk of heart disease and diabetes and improve his overall health, according to the Mattapoisett Land Trust. Many members of the organization joined Hathaway on the walk.

The Mattapoisett Land Trust also sponsors a scholarship that is awarded to a local art student in honor of Hathaway’s wife, Priscilla, who was an artist and educator.

Over the course of his walking journey, Hathaway has also picked up cans and bottles along the road to help clean up. He said he has collected over $7,000 worth of cans and bottles.