MEDIA ALERT: Oxfam Trailwalker kicks off in two weeks

Media Releases, Oxfam Trailwalker article written on the 02 Sep 2016

Friday 16 September – Sunday 18 September 2016

WHAT: Considered one of Australia’s most challenging charity endurance events, 220 teams of four will walk 100km or 50km in the 4th annual Oxfam Trailwalker Perth.

More than 2,000 people are involved in Oxfam Trailwalker Perth to help raise more than $1 million to help Oxfam fight global poverty.

WHEN: 100km starts Friday 16 September – the 100km teams set off in two waves from Darlington at 7am and 8am and have 48 hours to complete the walk.

50km starts Saturday 17 September – the 50 km teams set off from Chidlow Recreation Ground at 8am.

Ends Sunday 18 September – the final teams will cross the finish line at Federation Gardens in Forrestfield before 8am.

The fastest teams are expected to cross the finish line on Friday night. The majority of teams are expected to finish at Federation Gardens in Forrestfield on Saturday and some participants will complete Trailwalker in the early hours of Sunday morning.

WHERE: 100km teams walk from Darlington, and 50km teams walk from Chidlow Recreation Ground, to Federation Gardens in Forrestfield, winding through the beautiful Perth Hills.

WHO: More than 2,000 people are involved in Oxfam Trailwalker Perth 2016. They include:

  • Participants: Nearly 900 people will walk the trail – that’s 220 teams of four.
  • Volunteers: More than 500 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: About 990 people will act as a lifeline to a particular team, providing them with whatever they need to keep walking.

PICTURE OPPORTUNITIES: Photos of teams starting their 100km journey are available from 6.30am to 8am on Friday 16 September at Darlington and 50km from 7.30 to 8am on Saturday 17 September at the Chidlow Recreation Ground. Photos of teams finishing the event are available until early Sunday 18 September morning at Federation Gardens in Forrestfield.

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. Since the first Oxfam Trailwalker Perth in 2013 generous supporters in Western Australia have raised more than $4 million.

If you would like to arrange interviews, photos or to find out about teams participating from your area, please contact Oxfam’s Media Coordinator Amanda Banks at amandab@oxfam.org.au or 0411 449 653.