General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC, to kick-off Australia’s greatest sports fundraising event – Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney

General Peter Cosgrove will set 2,000 participants off on the ninth Sydney Oxfam Trailwalker today at 7am from Chowder Bay in Mosman.

Inspiring the participants, who, competing in teams of four, will attempt to cover 100kms within 48 hours, General Cosgrove will walk the first few kilometers of the trail. After starting at Chowder Bay, the trail winds through Sydney, covering rugged bush terrain and ending at Brooklyn Park on the Hawkesbury River.
“The most extraordinary thing about Trailwalker is the participants,” said Jane Denning, Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney spokesperson. “The event is fully booked well before registration closes. Participants put in months of training ahead of the event, but even more importantly they put huge efforts into fundraising,” she added.
Participants come from diverse backgrounds and include:
– Best Boys (previously completed the Melbourne event in 11 hours and 4 minutes) 
– Charlie McConnell (who is legally blind and has competed in 5 Oxfam Trailwalkers) 
– ACT Run Girls (all female team who finished in 15 hours and 37 minutes in Sydney 2006) 
– Cosmos Boys (who have traveled from Hong Kong to defend their 2006 winning title) 
– The Trailing Commission and Macquarie be Divas, the all male and all female teams from Macquarie Bank)
2007 marks the first year of a new and challenging trail. The champions will achieve a tremendous feat by covering 100km in less than 12 hours.
“While the original and main motivation is to raise money for the most disadvantaged people around the world, I found last year’s walk to be a greatly rewarding physical and mental challenge. Getting fit, extending yourself and helping people at the same time – a win/win/win situation!”
Tim Fleming, Chief Information Officer, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
“Ending poverty takes determination and a massive, consistent effort – the same that Sydney Trailwalkers have shown,” said General Cosgrove.
So far $1.6 million has been raised by Oxfam Trailwalker teams. The target for this year’s event is $2.5 million. Funds raised contribute to Oxfam Australia’s development and emergency relief programs around the world and in indigenous communities within Australia.
The Australian Oxfam Trailwalker was first staged in Sydney in 1999. Other Trailwalkers are held in Hong Kong, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Japan.
General Cosgrove will be available for interviews after the first start at 7am until 8.30am.
For more information or to arrange an interview with General Cosgrove or a Trailwalker participant please contact Melany Markham on 0407 515 559 or melanym@oxfam.org.au