1800 shoes laced and 900 headlamps on, participants of this year’s Oxfam Trailwalker headed off into the hills of Whakatāne before sunrise this morning.
Photo: Artur Francisco / 2017
1800 shoes laced and 900 headlamps on, participants of this year’s Oxfam Trailwalker headed off into the hills of Whakatāne before sunrise this morning.
Each team of four is walking either 50 kilometres or 100 kilometres in pursuit of a world free from extreme poverty. Teams have been training hard to complete the 50 and 100 kilometre course in under 18 and 36 hours, respectively. Many of the teams doing the 100 kilometre course will be walking all through the night.
The 12th annual event is being held for the second time in the coastal town, and participants will walk a trail consisting of beaches, ridgelines and native bush sections with checkpoints and aid stations throughout the course in places like a woolshed and a marae.
The fastest 50 kilometre course finishers are expected to cross the finish line at Rex Morpeth Park at around 2pm, and the fastest 100 kilometre course finishers are expected at around 8pm.The finish line will be open until 7pm on Sunday.
The Oxfam Trailwalker has raised an incredible $10 million since its debut in 2006, helping Oxfam’s programmes fighting poverty in the Pacific and south-east Asia. Each participating team must commit to raising a minimum of $2500, but many teams choose to exceed this. So far around $715,400 of this year’s $1 million goal has been raised.
Oxfam New Zealand’s Engagement Director Daniel Barthow wishes participants the best of luck over the weekend.
“We’re so excited that Oxfam Trailwalker is underway once again. Over 225 teams have set off this morning, and there was plenty of hype and positivity at the start line.
“Good luck to everyone walking and running out there, and congratulations on what a difference you’re making in the lives of others. Go well, have fun, and we’ll see you at the finish line.”
Team progress can be followed and donations can be made during the weekend through our new Oxfam Trailwalker app which is available for iOS and Android – to download head to the App Store or Play Store and search Oxfam Trailwalker NZ.
Oxfam Trailwalker is held over March 25-26, 2017 in the scenic Whakatāne. Teams of 4 will walk 50km or 100km together to help save and improve lives. Oxfam Trailwalker is not a relay, the teams of four start and finish together. You can contribute to this incredible challenge by supporting and donating to your favourite team at http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz/
· Oxfam Trailwalker is the ultimate challenge – each team of four tackles either 100 kilometres in 36 hours or 50 kilometres in 18 hours and must raise at least $2500 to go towards Oxfam’s fight against poverty.
· Oxfam Trailwalker is part of an international series of 17 events held worldwide in 11 countries. Over the years, the event has raised hundreds of millions of dollars internationally for Oxfam’s life-saving work.
· Set up by the legendary elite Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment in 1981 as a military exercise to test teamwork, endurance and determination, Oxfam Trailwalker is the ultimate physical and mental challenge. It began in 2006 in New Zealand. Since then over 12,000 participants have lined up at the start line and raised over $10 million.
