First teams cross the finish line at Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane

Media Releases article written on the 20 Jun 2015

The first teams have crossed the finish line at Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane, but while some have put their feet up there are still hundreds of people braving the wintery conditions.

Considered one of Australia’s toughest events, participants have 48 hours to run or walk 100kms from Mount Glorious to Mount Coot-tha.

Crossing the finish line first was ‘Team 173 Redman Brioche’ at an impressive time of 13 hours and 40 minutes.

The four members of ‘Team 173 Redman Brioche’ – Melanie Canfell from Holland Park, Sean Henderson from Kelvin Grove, Peter Lavery from Paddington and Shaun Mulholland from Newmarket – crossed the line at 8.40pm last night.

Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane Event Manager Simon Barwick congratulated the team.

“It’s a great achievement and they should be really proud of their physical dedication, mental strength and their fundraising efforts, so too should all participants,” Mr Barwick said.

“There are still many walkers making their way to the finish line today who would be pushing through the pain of blisters and sore muscles and we are with them every step of the way.

“The dedication of the walkers, their support crews and our volunteers, all in the name of raising money for Oxfam Australia, makes this event truly unique.”

For the second year in a row, a shorter 55km course will commence this morning with teams at the starting line from 7am to 8.30am at Lake Manchester Road, Lake Manchester. Participants have 24 hours to walk from Lake Manchester to Mount Coot-tha.

About 1200 people are taking part in this year’s event. It’s expected the majority of the remaining 100km walkers and the 55km participants will cross the finish line later today.

In its fifth year, Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane is aiming to raise $1.1 million this year, bringing the grand total donated by Queenslanders to Oxfam Trailwalker to more than $5 million since the Brisbane event began in 2011.

Since 1999, more than 60,000 people have participated in the Australia-wide event, collectively raising more than $65 million for Oxfam Australia’s work helping communities around the world fight poverty and injustice.

To arrange interviews or for more information contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Bianca Wordley on 0407 799 365.