Oxfam’s 15th Sydney Trailwalker starts tomorrow: 2000 people set to take on 100km charity challenge

Media Releases, Oxfam Trailwalker article written on the 22 Aug 2013

WHAT: In one of the most gruelling charity endurance challenges, 511 teams of four will walk or run 100km of rugged Sydney bush in the 15th annual Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney starting tomorrow. 

They aim to raise $3 million for international aid agency Oxfam Australia’s work helping people overcome poverty and injustice.

WHEN: The teams set off on Friday August 23 from Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River, departing in four waves at 7am, 8am, 9am and 10am. They have 48 hours to complete the walk.

The fastest teams are expected at the finish line at Georges Heights Oval in Mosman as early as 7pm on Friday evening. Most teams will take around 29 hours to finish the 100kms, with the majority expected across the finish line between 7am and 9pm on Saturday August 24. Some will finish in the early hours of Sunday morning on August 25.

WHERE: Teams walk from Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River to Mosman on Sydney Harbour, with the trail featuring the well-known Great North Walk and the Harbour to Hawkesbury Walking Track.

WHO: Close to 4000 people are involved in Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney events. In addition to the more than 2000 walkers, around 700 volunteers will work over the weekend as podiatrists, physiotherapists, trail marshals and ‘sweep teams’ to clean up after the walkers.

Another 1000 people will lose sleep over the weekend as support crews for each team, providing them with food, band-aids, hugs, clean socks and anything else they need to keep walking.

Interesting participants available for interview include: 

  • The Sydney mums in Team Walk who have raised more than $20,000 through grassroots fundraising (7am start) 
  • Older walkers showing that age is no barrier including 70-year-old Ken Newton (8am start) and 67-year-old Sue Ingham (10am start) 
  • Former Australian Survivor contestant Lance Brooks, whose team The Final Few have completed 13 Trailwalkers and raised close to $85,000 for Oxfam (7am start)

Picture opportunities of the teams starting their 100km journey are available from 6.30 to 10am on Friday August 23 at the starting line at Parsley Bay, Brooklyn.

Picture opportunities of teams crossing the 100km finish line are available from 9am Saturday August 24 at Georges Heights Oval in Mosman.

To arrange interviews with teams and Oxfam spokespeople or for images of the event please contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Chee Chee Leung on 0412 560 584.