Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne finished just after 8am today with more than 570 teams completing the tough 100km endurance challenge.
The last team, GCM3 Geogirls, crossed the finish line at a time of 44 hours and 40 minutes and the fastest team, Dog Day Afternoon, came in on Friday night in 11 hours and 25 minutes.
Almost all of the teams that started the challenge managed to reach the finish line and each team raised, on average, $3,548.
Despite the heavy rain on Saturday night, plus the common complaint of blisters along the trek, spirits remained high at the finish line as each walker was greeted with cheers and smiles.
There was certainly a lot to smile about, with the event raising more than $2.1 million for Oxfam’s work tackling poverty in communities around the world.
Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne statistics:
- 2,448 (78%) of walkers finished the trail
- Average time to complete the 100km course was 28 hours and 49 minutes
- The average age of competitors was 38 years
- 299 (49%) of teams completed the trail as a full team of four
- Average team fundraising total $3,548
- The highest fundraising team was Figurehead 1, representing Figurehead Construction, which raised an incredible $21,129
Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne spokesperson Anna Wemyss said the weather had been perfect all weekend until rain started on Saturday evening. She said despite the challenges, the show went on.
“Every walker deserves a huge pat on the back, especially because of the wet weather on Saturday evening,” Ms Wemyss said.
“We can’t thank everyone enough. Oxfam Trailwalker relies on more than 600 volunteers, who generously donate their time to ensure everything runs smoothly. The walkers should be incredibly proud of their efforts, as should all their donors, who’ve helped contribute to Oxfam’s lifesaving work.”
Ms Wemyss said the sense of team spirit was what ensured over a third of participants returned to the trail again, and the Dandenong and Yarra Valley Ranges locals warmly welcoming Oxfam each year.
Oxfam Trailwalker is Australia’s original endurance challenge. Teams of four must walk or run 100km in 48 hours or less. Since 1999, over $70 million has been raised through the event in Australia. The Melbourne trail started at Jells Park, Wheelers Hill on Friday 7 April at 6.30am and finished at Wesburn Park. The next Oxfam Trailwalker is in Brisbane from 16 to 18 June.
For interviews or more information, please contact Oxfam Media Coordinator Megan Giles on 0433 028 567 or megang@oxfam.org.au
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