The last Oxfam Trailwalker team crossed the finish line after 5am this morning at Mt Coot-tha after walking 55km in 22 hours and 22 minutes.
The first team to finish, Team Brioche, completed the 100km in 13 hours and 25 minutes on Friday night and were greeted by family, friends and popping champagne.
Team Brioche was the fastest team on the Brisbane trail for the past several years. Team leader Shaun Mulholland joked that his biggest motivation for coming back to the event every year was getting Friday off work.
“The organisation is always fantastic, you get to hang out with three mates and it’s all for such a good cause,” Mr Mulholland said.
Oxfam Trailwalker is a fundraising endurance challenge where teams of four walk or run 100km in 48 hours or less, or 55km in 24 hours or less. The start times for the 100km event were 7am and 8.30am Friday and the 55km event started at 7am Saturday.
Incredibly, the third team to finish on Friday night, Run ERP featuring Team 456, ran 100km in 15 hours and 20 minutes, went to bed and then completed the 55km event in 7 hours and 50 minutes the following day, minus two injured team members, David Overend and Stephen Browne.
Team BestB4S representing Motorama/Harrowsmiths International were the highest fundraisers, raising more than $20,000.
The Gap local, Katherine Ruhle, walked the 55km for the second time yesterday, finishing up in 12 hours and 5 minutes with her team, Team Kafe. After numerous knee operations, Ms Ruhle was once told she may never walk again. While her husband took on the 100km the day before, Ms Ruhle tackled the half trail with her brother, sister-in-law and friend. She said the team aspect was a big drawcard, compared to other solo ultra-marathon events.
“It’s lovely to be able to share this with family,” Ms Ruhle said.
“It’s great to be able to help people and it’s a good challenge. 55km is a decent distance.”
Five teams in the midst of their MBA courses at QUT participated as part of their leadership curriculum, while another five teams were made up of international staff from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation, looking for an authentic Australian bush experience.
Brisbane teams have raised almost $840,000 so far this year for Oxfam’s work tackling poverty in communities around the world. Of the 257 teams that started, over 90% made it to the finish line.
For event photos, interviews or more information, please contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Megan Giles on 0422 028 567 or 0428 029 302 or megang@oxfam.org.au
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