MEDIA ALERT: Oxfam Trailwalker kicks off today

Media Releases article written on the 19 Aug 2016

WHAT: Considered one of Australia’s most challenging charity endurance events, 480 teams of four will walk or run 100km in the 17th annual Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney.

Participants aim to raise more than $2 million to help Oxfam fight global poverty.

 WHEN: Starts today – the teams set off in four waves from Parsley Bay in Brooklyn on Friday 19 August at 7am, 8am, 9am and 10am and have 48 hours to complete the walk.

 Ends Sunday 21 August – the final teams will cross the Tania Park finish line before 10am.

The fastest teams are expected to cross the finish line from around 7pm tonight. The majority of teams are expected to cross the finish line between 7am – 4pm at Tania Park, Balgowlah Heights, tomorrow. Some teams will finish in the early hours of Sunday morning.

WHERE: Teams walk from Parsley Bay in Brooklyn to Tania Park in Balgowlah Heights, winding through the beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

 WHO: More than 4,000 people are involved in Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney 2016. They include:

  • Participants: Nearly 2,000 people will walk the trail – that’s 480 teams of four.
  • Volunteers: More than 700 volunteers will work in 40 different roles over the weekend, including podiatrists, physiotherapists and massage therapists, to soothe the weary walkers, trail marshals and registration officials to ensure the event runs smoothly.
  • Support Crew: Up to 1,500 people will act as a lifeline to a particular team, providing them with whatever they need to keep walking.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Teams starting their 100km journey are available for photographs from 6.30am to 10am today at the starting line at Parsley Bay in Brooklyn. Teams will be finishing the event from tonight until early Sunday morning at Tania Park, Balgowlah.

In Australia, Oxfam Trailwalker events in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney have raised more than $70 million since 1999 to help people living in poverty.

If you would like to arrange interviews, photos or to find out about teams participating from your area, please contact Oxfam’s Media Coordinator Bianca Wordley at biancaw@oxfam.org.au or 0407 799 365.