Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne finished just after 8am today with more than 690 teams completing the gruelling 100 kilometres endurance challenge.
The last team, the Toasties, crossed the line at a time of 46 hours and 38 minutes and the fastest team, 456, came in on Friday night in 10 hours and 56 minutes.
Almost all of the 690 teams that started the challenge managed to reach the finish line and each team managed to raise, on average, $3,460.
Despite the challenges of fatigue, blisters and sore muscles, the spirits of our walkers and fundraising efforts remained high, with the event raising more than $2.38 million for Oxfam Australia to help communities around the world fight poverty and injustice.
Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne statistics:
- 2,252 (82%) of walkers finished the trail
- Average time to complete 100km was 28 hours and 24 minutes
- The average age of competitors was 39 years
- 371 (54%) of teams completed the trail as a full team of four
- Average team fundraising total was over $3,460
Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne spokesperson Simon Barwick said every participant should give themselves a pat on the back for their impressive efforts on the trail.
“Being a Trailwalker is a life-changing experience, I can’t tell you how many people shed a tear at the finish line. Their tremendous resilience and determination is to be congratulated.
“We’ve seen amazing perseverance from our walkers – so many have been so inspirational. This year a team that had previously completed 36 Trailwalkers between them agreed to help their mate Matt Parker who has cerebral palsy, a movement disorder, to participate. Matt’s parents were told that he’d never be able to walk when he was born.
“Team Members from Hard In The Slush built a walking frame and carried a backup all-terrain wheel chair and didn’t expect to finish but they completed the event in 36 hours, an amazing feat.”
Mr Barwick said we owe a big thanks to the almost 3000 support crew members and volunteers who provided encouragement and assistance throughout the weekend. The public can help Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne reach it’s $2.5 million target by donating online.
Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne is one of the most gruelling charity endurance challenges, with teams of four attempting to walk or run 100km of rugged Victorian bush from Jells Park in Wheelers Hill to Wesburn Park in the Yarra Valley. Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane is next in Brisbane from 17 to 19 June.
For interviews or more information, please contact Oxfam Media Coordinator Alice Plate on 0418 873 782 or alicep@oxfam.org.au
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