Queenslanders will get the chance to participate in one of the world’s toughest charity challenges on home ground with the announcement today that Brisbane will be the location for a new Oxfam Trailwalker event in 2011.
Originally conceived as a military training exercise by Gurkhas based in Hong Kong, Oxfam Trailwalker has been running for 12 years in Australia and walkers have raised over $30 million for Oxfam Australia’s work to help communities around the world overcome poverty and injustice.
Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane will set off from Mt Glorious in the Brisbane Forest Park, on Friday 17 June 2011 with the anticipated 300 teams of four required to cover a 100km trail in under 48hrs.
The event is expected to raise more than $1million for Oxfam Australia’s work helping people around the world who live in poverty.
Brisbane will become the third Australian city to host Oxfam Trailwalker – Oxfam Australia’s biggest fundraising event with the Melbourne and Sydney events this year collectively raising $6.2 million.
The Brisbane trail will pass through Mt Glorious, Mt Nebo and Mt Coot-tha. Starting at Mt Glorious, it will wind its way through Brisbane Forest Park and out to Lake Manchester. The trail will then see participants passing Gold Creek and the historic town of Brookfield before the final climb to finish at the spectacular Mt Coot-tha.
Oxfam Trailwalker Spokesperson Leigh Stewart is excited about the addition of this new event to the international Trailwalker calendar.
“Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane is expected to be the most challenging Trailwalker held in Australia to date. While the terrain itself will be quite forgiving, the majority of the trail is in remote bushland and as you’d expect in Brisbane, there are plenty of hills! On the plus side this means lots of nature walking, with some spectacular flora and fauna along the way,” Ms Stewart said.
The 100km team endurance event is open to teams of four who want to challenge themselves and make a lasting difference to the lives of people living in poverty. Entry numbers are capped at 300 teams with the Melbourne and Sydney events always oversubscribed. Teams set their own pace – some running, most walking – making the challenge of covering the 100 km trail in under 48hrs suitable for people of varying fitness levels.
“It’s amazing to think that some of the quickest teams run the equivalent of two and a half marathons in less than 12 hours, but for most participants it is just about the challenge of taking part and making sure the whole team crosses the finish line,” Ms Stewart said.
Registrations are now open for Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane. To register a team please go to:
www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/brisbane
To subscribe to Brisbane Trailwalker eNews email trailwalkerbrisbane@oxfam.org.au
For more information or to interview Oxfam Trailwalker Spokesperson Leigh Stewart please contact Charlotte Greig on 0404 111 919, email charlotte@oxfam.org.au
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