More than 550 people are gearing up to walk or run 95km tomorrow through the D’Aguilar National Park to raise money for Oxfam to help fight global poverty. They’ll be joined by another 396 people tackling the 55km trail on Saturday.
In its sixth year, Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane is considered one of Australia’s toughest endurance challenges. Participants are aiming to raise more than $1 million this year, bringing the grand total donated by Queenslanders to Oxfam Trailwalker to about $6 million.
Teams participating in the 95km event will start at Lake Manchester from 7am tomorrow morning and have just 48 hours to reach the Mount Coot-tha finish line. Teams walking or running the 55km event will start at Lake Manchester on Saturday morning at 7am and have just 24 hours to complete the distance.
More than 500 volunteers will work in 40 different roles over the weekend, including trail marshals, physiotherapists and massage therapists, and about 700 people will act as support crew for teams, providing them with whatever they need to keep walking.
Oxfam Australia Chief Operating Officer Tony McKimmie said the dedication of teams was inspiring to everyone involved in the event.
“Oxfam Trailwalker showcases the incredible spirit of people to work side-by-side to achieve a common goal,” Mr McKimmie said.
“After months of training and fundraising, teams are ready to face the challenge, with the help of their incredible families, support crews and all of our amazing volunteers who make Oxfam Trailwalker possible.
“The event is such a positive, uplifting one with people drawing on the strength of each other to achieve a physical challenge, while raising money to help Oxfam fight global poverty.”
Since 1999, more than 60,000 people have participated in the Australia-wide event, collectively raising more than $65 million for Oxfam’s work helping communities around the world fight poverty and injustice.
Photo and filming opportunities
Teams in the 95km event will be available at the starting line from 6.30am to 8.30am tomorrow morning at Lake Manchester Road, Lake Manchester. Teams in the 55km event will be at the Lake Manchester starting line from 6.30am to 7am on Saturday.
The fastest teams are expected at the Mount Coot-tha finish line tomorrow night, while the majority of teams from both events will cross the finish line from midday Saturday onwards.
To arrange interviews, photographs or for more information contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Bianca Wordley on 0407 799 365.
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