The annual Trailwalker Awards Night is on tonight at Darling Harbour. RSVPs are now closed as we are at capacity (!) and details follow for teams that have confirmed their attendance:
When : Monday 3 November 6pm – 8.30 pm
Location: Star Room, Level 6, The IMAX Theatre Complex Darling Harbour
I’m rather partial to donuts and Tim Tams, but if all you’re doing is writing news items for Oxfam TRAILWALKER, they can have an expansive effect on your waistline. However, if you combine Donuts and Tim Tams with the TRAILWALKER event, then it’s guilt-free eating.
Donuts and Tim Tams are one of five teams who have pledged to raise $25,000 or more in this year’s event. The team is representing Macquarie Bank and Arnotts (hence their team name) and includes the appropriately-named Rodney Walker. Rodney was a member of the all time highest fundraising team in Australia, raising over $80,000 for Melbourne TRAILWALKER in 2007.
Not only did Rodney's new team complete the trail in 42nd place, but they’ve also surpassed their target. Congratulations lads. But why stop there? How much can this team raise? Why not contribute to another record? Sponsor Donuts and Tim Tams and reward yourself with one of Australia’s most recognised chocolate biscuits.
It’s raining, it’s pouring, a number of Trailwalkers are snoring, but there are still a bunch of them out there walking. Best get your wellies on.
This is semaphore for "Make Poverty History".
These walkers are keeping us in suspense.
Trailwalking? Kuh! We're trailrunners!
Some say that you can reduce your carbon footprint simply by hopping. Certainly, you can’t reduce your carbon footprint by simply hoping, so it’s great to see a team getting out there and showing us how far you can get on shank’s pony alone.
Team No Carbon Footprints have left their running-shoe footprints over 100 kilometres of the Sydney trail, and did so in an impressive 22 hours and 7 minutes which put them in 43rd place. Also impressive is their fundraising total of $9,401 (at the time of writing). Help them reach their target of $10,000.
Oxfam TRAILWALKER support is a gruelling event over forty-eight hours. The mad rush from checkpoint to checkpoint, and the constant need to keep one’s team positive, results in trying the patience of all involved.
Thankfully the weather for 2008 Sydney TRAILWALKER has remained pleasant and generally sunny. Support crews in previous years have endured driving rain and harsh winds, not to mention grumpy team members afflicted by blisters and tiredness.
Nevertheless, the often unsung heroes of TRAILWALKER can be happy in the knowledge that their efforts contribute to Oxfam Australia’s work in 28 countries – across East Asia and South Asia, Southern Africa, the Pacific and Indigenous Australia – with the objective of overcoming poverty and injustice.
At 10:43 this morning, the Dads and Daughters team crossed the finish line in an admirable time of 26 hours and 13 minutes, putting them equal 109th place out of 521 teams. They are now enjoying a well-earned rest.
Rumour has it that daughters Christine King (health analyst) and Nicole Williams (doctor) gave the team the all-clear in terms of health, while hypnotherapist and father Geoffrey Williams ensured they all enjoyed a deep, deep sleep. Ken Newton (retired) was thankful that he was in no way inclined to retire from the TRAILWALKER event.
You can still donate to the Dads and Daughters team to reward them for their efforts over twelve events (all ten Sydney events and two in Melbourne).
The Queen Bees have left Checkpoint 8 Ararat Reserve and are making a beeline for the finish! They are currently in 178th position, have walked 88km and have done an excellent job with fundraising breaking their target of $20,000 with $31,320!
Overnight, the fundraising total has increased by over $15,000 to an amazing:
$2,212,650
Here’s a quick look at our team donation leaderboard :
1. Westpac Gale Force representing Westpac Banking Corporation $43,420
2. Easts Masters supported by KPMG representing Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club $34,184
3. ARA Group One representing ARA Property Services Australia $32,160
4. The Queen Bees $31,320
5. Walk the line (featuring Jono Pruden) representing Macquarie Group $28,580
Head over to the team donation page, and sponsor a team now! Together, we can break last year’s donation record of $3.18 million!
Where your money can go:
Donate this much... ... and Oxfam can
$20 Provide basic medical supplies for one month for a person living with HIV/AIDS in SOuth Africa.
$35 Pay for materials to build a public well in Sri Lanka, providing fresh water for 20 to 30 families.
$100 Provide training for doctors to better understand Inidigenous Australian health issues.
$500 Support human rights advocates to provide training, information and monitor rights in East Timor.
From Wikipedia:
A trail is a path or road used for walking, cycling, cross-country skiing, or other activities. Some trails are off-limits to everyone other than hikers, and a few trails allow motorized vehicles.
Walking (also called ambulation) is the main form of animal locomotion on land, distinguished from running and crawling. When carried out in shallow waters, it is usually described as wading and when performed over a steeply rising object or an obstacle it becomes scrambling or climbing. The word walk is descended from the Old English wealcan "to roll".
Three cheers for all the PATHAMBULATORS out there!
Oxfam Australia TRAILWALKER is ten! Australia’s first TRAILWALKER was held in Sydney in 1999 and only 87 teams took part. Come with us on a journey back in time to see what else happened in 1999:
Now in 2008, the 10th Sydney TRAILWALKER is taking place. The challenge has become increasing popular with more than 500 teams taking part. This year the event hopes to raise $3.2 million to support Oxfam’s work in 28 countries, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia.
| Place | Team | Time | Checkpoint | |
|
1 |
MultiMarathon |
12hrs :23min |
8 | |
| 2 |
Berowra Bushrunners |
12 hrs : 25 min | 8 | |
| 3 | MnM Muppets | 13 hrs : 14 min | 8 |
|
| 4 | MeldrumProperty Group | 13 hrs : 25 min | 8 | |
| 5 | PAIL | 13 hrs : 26 min | 8 | |
| 6 | Unbreakables | 13 hrs : 55 min | 8 | |
| 7 | Power Sense Energy Efficiency | 13 hrs : 57 min | 8 | |
| 8 | Team Telstra | 13 hrs : 59 min | 8 | |
| 9 | Mitre 10 team 1 | 12 hrs : 34 min | 7 | |
| 10 | The Cliffy Shuffle | 13 hrs : 0 min | 7 |
The Berowra Bushrunners sped into Checkpoint 6 just 1 minute ahead of team MultiMarathon in a time of 9 hours 24 minutes. At this stage it looks like it will be a two horse race to the finish line, which is less than 30km from their current position.
In the last few hours, the fundraising total has increased by over $10,000 to a whopping:
Keep up the great work and head over to the Team Donation page to sponsor a team!
Where your money can go:
| Donate this much... | ... and Oxfam can |
| $20 | Provide families in East Timor with vegetable seeds and trees to help increase nutrition and market opportunities |
| $80 | Provide a day's training for 20 women in alternate agriculture and horticulture methods in India |
| $152 | Buy a boar for a Cambodian family living in a flood-prone area |
Here's some shots of our lovely Trailwalkers on various parts of the trail!
The fantastically named Kissing Point Rovers passed through Checkpoint 1 a short time ago. Here they are on the trail:
The Red Hot Jelly Beans pose for the camera, amongst some of NSW's finest greenery:
Taking a break with the Potts Point Poker Club:
Remember it's not too late to donate!
We now have Trailwalkers between Checkpoint 1 and 5 so here’s a closer look at a few teams.
The Sydney Striders - ACZD Girls! have arrived at Checkpoint 3 in a time of 6 hours 47 minutes. Team leader Clare Holland has completed three Trailwalker events and is aiming to lead her team over the finish line in 18 hours. They also hope to be the first all female team over the line this weekend so good luck to them all!
The Final Few are approaching Checkpoint 2 , having left the first Checkpoint at 10:44am. This incredible team has a total of 22 Trailwalks between them (wowzers) and have raised an awesome $42,000 over the years for Oxfam Australia!
The Jackson Four recently help a Trivia night at the City Hotel and have raised a marvellous $6,302 to date. Here’s a shot of them just before starting on the trail this morning:
Lets hope they’re still smiling as they approach the second Checkpoint!
This year’s teams have proved as imaginative and creative as always with regard to their names! We’ve got the wonderfully named Leaping Lumpy Bums, Wombling Wombles and wwwWobbolies all working the alliteration.
Let’s hope Evil, Wicked, Mean and Nasty are all getting on and haven’t had a hand in the naming of OUCH! or Sorry and Sore !
Some new government departments are also being represented this weekend by the Ministry of Silly Bushwalks and the Department Of Pants !
Oxfam Australia operates programs both here in Australia and around the world. In Cambodia, teams have been working for over 25 years to reduce poverty and build a better life for people. Programs in India have helped to support local non-government organisations in implementing self-help initiatives. Here in Australia, Oxfam has been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to exercise their rights to basic social services, build sustainable livelihoods and improve cultural diversity.
For more information head over to the Oxfam Australia website.
Team MultiMarathon have overtaken the Berowra Bushrunners at Checkpoint 4 to move into first place! That's 50km gone in 6.5 hours which is fantastic Trailwalking/running!
The Sydney Trailwalker record of 11 hours 59 minutes was set in 2005 so it'll be interesting to see how the teams progress in the next few hours - is the record up for grabs???!!
From the bush to the suburban streets (and train tracks) of Sydney, trailwalkers have to be adaptable to all situations.
From this...
To this!
Natalie Costa, a team member of Harper Collins Ladies and the Tramp told Oxfam media offiicials of the hardships the night has brought;
"Its making it really difficult to see. There's alot of tripping over rocks!"
In the ten years that the Sydney Oxfam Trailwalker has been running, money raised has been on the rise.
In last years international Trailwalker results, the Sydney event followed Hong Kong, putting them in second place on the fundraising score board.
The Sydney Trailwalker raised a mighty $3.14 Million which funded various Oxfam campaigns in poverty stricken countries around the world.
The bounty now is at a massive $2,196,340.
Things are looking up for this years event, and efforts by team members not to be disputed.
Rival teams Berowra Bushrunners and MultiMarathon are neck and neck in their race to win this years Sydney Oxfam Trailwalker.
MultiMarathon scraped into 1st place, 2mins ahead of Berowra Bushrunners, in a time of 12mins 23 secs clocked at the final checkpoint.
Only time and the drudgery of fatigue will tell the outcome of this race.
Its sure to be a tight finish, that's for sure!
The dark of night is proving to put the teams night navigation skills to use.
Torches are ready
Sydney Trailwalker has kicked off in style with over 500 teams starting on the 100km walk from Brooklyn on the Hawksbury river to Mosman. It's a beautiful day here in Sydney, perfect for Trailwalkers to amble, walk, jog or run the route! The Berowra Bushrunners sped through the first checkpoint in a stonking 1 hour 42 minutes, with the MultiMarathon team a mere 3 minutes behind...
Trailwalkers have already raised $2.2 million for Oxfam but it's not too late to donate more! Head over to Sponsorship Page now, find your team and donate generously to a great cause!
Throughout the weekend you can keep tabs on your team and their progress through the Team Tracker and be sure to keep reading the blog for news and updates!
In 2007, Sydney Trailwalkers raised a tremendous $3.1 million! Lets raise the bar! Sponsor your team! Sponsor two teams! Go nuts, sponsor all of them woohoo!!
Teams update:
Beauty and the Beasts have come all the way from Queensland for this years Trailwalker and are missioning up the hill to Checkpoint 2. Sonia and her team of beasts must be appreciating the cooler Sydney climate right now!
Meanwhile the Berowra Bushrunners are in first place and have steamed through the second checkpoint in 3 hours 32 minutes. That's 8km per hour, an impressive pace over the 28km of the course they've traversed so far!
The Sydney Striders - ACZD Girls team are the first all female team through Checkpoint 4! Wohoo!
A big thanks to all members of the support crew for their enthusiam and efforts so far. Your support and drive to keep the teams in good form is certainly apprectiated. Keep up the good work!
In third place, MnM Muppets have finished in a time of 15 hours 2 minutes.
In fourth place Meldrum Property Group have finished 14 minutes after MnM Muppets followed by PAIL in a steady fifth position.
Team 403, Www.multimarathon.com, representing Paddy Pallin have won the 2008 Oxfam Trailwalker.
The four man team consisting of Toby Cogley, Adam Carter,Ian Stewart and Paul O'Connor finished the race at 9: 24pm, in a time remarkable time of 14 hours 24 minutes.
Team leader, Toby Cogley has expressed his love for the event;
"I love the event. That's why I keep coming back; the charity, the team work and the fundraising".
He explained that this year's event stood out from previous years.
"I havn't felt this good in the event ever",
"I enjoyed 80%, suffered 20%."
The winning team had these modest final words to say;
"If you do it often enough, you might just get lucky once!"
Rival team 71; Berowra Bushrunners crossed the finish line first, although are ranked as unsuccessfully completed the race due to the fact that only three members finished.
Congratulations to both parties and good luck to all other trailwalkers!
The end is near...
