Local Sydney Team breaks Oxfam Trailwalker record! 29 Aug 10
Chris Turnbull, Keith Mearns, Jonathan O’Loughlin and Richard MountStephens have broken the record for the current trail in the Oxfam TRAILWALKER Sydney endurance challenge by running 100km in just 12 hours and 7 minutes.
The team of four, from St Leonards, Bondi, Balmain and Killarney Heights who call themselves Quality Meats, crossed the finish line 49 minutes ahead of the current course record, 12 hours and 56 minutes, set in 2007.
Oxfam TRAILWALKER Sydney challenges 500 teams of four to walk a rugged bush trail of 100 kilometres from Brooklyn to Mosman in under 48 hours and to raise at least $1000 each for Oxfam Australia.
The time set was exceptional considering the difficult circumstances the team faced. A week before the event one member was forced to pull out because of injury. Within the week the team had advertised on a running website and found a new member, seasoned runner Richard MountStephens
“We advertised on Monday, Richard accepted on Tuesday, we met on Wednesday to talk strategy and set off on Friday. We were just happy to do the event, but to win feels even more rewarding”, said Jonathan O’Loughlin.
The other participants Chris Turnbull, Jonathan O’Loughlin and Keith Mearns had trained over the course of two months.
The event has already raised $2.6 million to support Oxfam’s work. Oxfam Australia spokesperson Jane Denning said Australians could help the agency reach its $3.2 million target by showing their support for teams taking part.
“To walk 100kms in less than 48 hours is an astonishing achievement. These are everyday Australians who challenge themselves to the limit to raise money for Oxfam’s work to help people around the world find lasting solutions to poverty,” Ms Denning said.
The majority of teams crossed the finish line on Saturday August 28 at Georges Heights, Mosman .The event continues until Sunday August 29 and people can sponsor and track teams at www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/sydney/
Originally conceived as a military training exercise by Gurkhas based in Hong Kong, Oxfam TRAILWALKER has been running for 12 years in Australia and walkers have helped raised over $30 million for Oxfam Australia’s work to help communities around the world overcome poverty and injustice.
Saturday 13:15pm Latest update - Check Point 5 Closed 28 Aug 10
Good news all teams have passed check point 5 and are on there way to 6. Yeah yeah yeah...
Saturday 13:08pm Oxfam - The Gift of Giving 28 Aug 10
All you supporters wanting reward those involved in the Trailwalker event can continue with the gift of giving at:
http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au/
At Oxfam Unwrapped, we believe giving for the good of others never goes out of fashion - we’ve been giving people the gift of hope since 1953! That’s why we’ve created another range of gifts that lets you give something truly unique to your friends and family and most importantly, something to those less fortunate around the world.
Saturday 13:15pm Trailwalkers - A massive effort 28 Aug 10
At this very point all the teams have hit the $2,602,228 with there fund raising efforts, bringing the total for this event since it’s inception to over 30 million dollars. To all those involved to date, celebrate and feel proud of the monster effort.
Saturday 12:18 - So Far 28 Aug 10
71.5 km’s have been blistered up by persevering souls and sole’s, with 28.5 kilometer’s to go for the trailblazers. We have reached the 200 mark of teams crossing the finishing line, with many more to come. Yeah and you don’t stop a rocking!!!
Saturday 11:55am Team #182 - Texas Rangers 28 Aug 10
Yipee yi ay, the rangers are in the house!!!
Texas Rangers team #182 has come in 180th.
All four members have all moseyed across the finish line. Giddy up, people!!!!
Saturday 11:40am Oxfam Australia - Take Action Now 28 Aug 10
Ever wonder how we compare with other countries when it comes to giving international aid? Not very well actually. We rank a lowly 16th out of the world's 23 richest nations. We can and should be giving our fair share. You can take action
now and help support in many ways. Or go to
http://www.oxfam.org.au/act.
Saturday 11:26am All Teams- Go Go Go 28 Aug 10
All teams still participating in the event have now reached check point 5 at St Ives Showground. Left, right, left be the mantra to keep them bodies rolling on through the trail. Keep up the marvelous work people!!!
Saturday 10:33am - Random Stats From The Trailwalk 28 Aug 10
Participants wearing the Red bib are 10% more likely to finish, back the red people.
Last year 2400 bananas were consumed via all check points, fuel to fire our participants to this massive challenge.
People with the names Jon and Jess have always finished the entire 100kms. Dynamite!!!
Over this weekend there are 951 shift allocations carried out by 760+ volunteers. Put your hands up in the air.
Saturday 10:03am Deja Vu Team #177- Christine King and Peter Worgan's 14th Trailwalk, WOW 28 Aug 10
This year we have Christine King from the Déjà vu team has completed her 14th Trailwalk sharing the title along with Peter Worgan from the team Ministry of Silly Bushwalks as participant’s who have the highest number of Trailwalks undertaken. An amazing effort!!!. After just getting of the phone to Christine, I ask her the following questions. Motivation behind doing the walk “Fund raising and hoping to reach 20 walks” that’ll be 2000km’s folk’s. In a word how did you find this year’s walk “Hard”. Advice for the remaining teams “Keep on plugging along”. Put your hand together for both Christine and Peter.
Christine's team came in 23rd in the time of 17hrs and 22mins.
Peter's team came in 71st in the time of 22hrs and 31mins.
Saturday 10:58am - Teams Are Avalanching Through The Finishing Line 28 Aug 10
Sydney has brought forth a day to remember, crystal clear skies have blessed a impressive 48 teams, hoping, stumbling, dancing, strutting and galloping through the finish line since early this morning. That’s a lot of massaging, funky feet, blisters and icing. With many more teams rolling through by each hour. We now have 339 teams remaining, still battling away, it’s amazing what can be brought forth by two feet and a heart beat. Ladies and Gentleman, a fantastic effort.!!!!!!!!!
Saturday 9:16am- Status On Remaining Teams 28 Aug 10
Go Teams Go!!!!, 373 Trail Walker teams remain within the course, 14 teams are remaining to reach check point 5. All teams have made it past the half way point, that’s 50.5 km’s demolished. 3 cheers to all, and let’s not forget the support crews!!!!!!!!
Saturday 8:03am - Over Night Update 28 Aug 10
Currently 110 teams have made it to the finish line, what an awesome effort. The latest team
We lost Doug have enjoyed this thrill of completing the Sydney challenge. To date We lost Doug they have raised $5,630. Well done team 455!!!
Saturday 8:42am Oxfam Projects - Pakistan Floods 28 Aug 10
Currently to date The Sydney Trail Walk has so far raise $2,590,328 and climbing. Oxfam work on many projects and at present Pakistan is experiencing the worst floods in living memory, and the crisis is deepening as torrential rains continue to fall across the country. An estimated 20 million people have been affected – more than the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Kashmir earthquake and the Haiti earthquake combined. The threat of disease is high.
Please visit
http://www.oxfam.org.au/explore/conflict-and-natural-disasters/current-emergencies/pakistan-floods for more information.
Friday 9:07pm Team #124, #200, #204, #84, #4 - 5 Teams Pass the Finish Line… 593 to Go 27 Aug 10
Following
Quality Meats (124), the four teams to cross the finish line were
One More Time (200),
www.rivkin.com.au (204),
Redemtion (84) and
Better (4). With 50 minutes separating the teams, it was a tight race between the 5 teams that included a number of Trailwalker Legends. Together, the 5 teams have raised over $27,000 for Oxfam Australia... a major achievement in itself!
Friday 8:33pm Team #71 - Berowra Bush Runners 27 Aug 10
Walking as part of
Berowra Bush Runners, Beth Carselli was in the winning team in 2009, taking out first place in 13 hours and 25 minutes. Beth is clearly an asset for the team, who are doing good time, crossing checkpoint 7 in 12 hrs 54 mins.
Friday 8:09pm - 50 Year Age Gap Between Trailwalkers 27 Aug 10
This year, the youngest participant walking the trail just turned 18! With the oldest walker hitting 68 this year, we have a 50 year age gap separating the participants!
Friday 7:02pm - Support Crews Turn into Trailwalkers! 27 Aug 10
50% of the Support Crews report that they will do the event next year... only to get them out of Support Crew duty! hmmm
Friday 7:07pm - News Flash! News Flash! First team about to reach the finish! 27 Aug 10
We’ve just heard that the first team heading to the finish line has been spotted heading to the Finish line. Stay tuned for news of who and when…
Friday 7:07pm - News Flash! News Flash! First team about to reach the finish! 27 Aug 10
We’ve just heard that the first team heading to the finish line has been spotted heading to the Finish line. Stay tuned for news of who and when…
Friday 7:12pm Team #124 - Quality Meats Cross the Finish Line to Become the Official 2010 Sydney Trailwalker Winners! 27 Aug 10
The official results are in and Quality Meats cross the finish line in 12 hours and 8 minutes to become the official winners of the 2010 Sydney Trailwalker! Congratulations to the team and their support crew for this (what we believe is a) record breaking win! Woooohoooo. Looks like you guys can now head home for a well deserved rest!
Friday 5:50pm Team #92 - Fugu Fighters Heading into Apple Tree Bay 27 Aug 10
We caught up with Andrew as the Fugu Fighters were heading into Apple Tree Bay. With half an hour to go before they reach checkpoint 3, the boys were feeling it. Their highlight so far… being alive! Andrew told us that despite this being their third time running, all they were feeling was pain pain pain. So I had to ask – why come back? The boys reckon its all about stupidity, stubbornness... and wanting to fundraise. A winning combination really. The team has raised over $15,000 so far. Pretty clever I say!
Friday 6:32pm Team #200 - One More Time Crosses the Final Checkpoint Before The Finish 27 Aug 10
The second team to reach the final checkpoint is
One More Time, following
Quality Meats towards the finish line!
Friday 6:22pm Team #124 - Quality Meats Running to the Finish 27 Aug 10
Quality Meats are holding onto their lead crossing the final checkpoint on their way to the Finish!
Friday 6:38pm Team #36 - One Trail Cougars Take the Lead as the First all Female Team on the Trail 27 Aug 10
Crossing checkpoint 6 in 10 hours and 50 minutes, the
Trail Cougars have stolen the lead position from
Deja Vu in the all female teams category. They have also widened the lead gap, being the only all female team past checkpoint 6 so far. Go girls!
Friday 6:50pm Team #166 - Wild Women On Top 1 Become the Second All Female Team 27 Aug 10
Crossing checkpoint 6 just one minute in front of
Deja Vu,
Wild Women On Top 1 take the second all female position.
Friday 6:02pm - So How Many Come Back For More? 27 Aug 10
This year we have 608 return participants working their way towards being Trailwalker Legends!
Friday 5:04pm Team #124 - Yep… You've Guessed It. Quality Meats Still in the Lead at Checkpoint 7 27 Aug 10
Quality Meats holds first place at checkpoint 7, crossing the line minutes ago.
Friday 5:24pm Team #89 - All Eyes on the Sock Boys 27 Aug 10
Let’s be honest. We have all been wondering how the
The Sock Boys have been travelling... and where we might be able to get a glimpse of the boys wearing a sock and ... well, just a sock. We regret to inform you all that the sun has set and the thermals have come out. It’s been an eventful day for the boys. Besides the chafing (maybe a different brand of sock next year?), and scaring off an echidna in the park (we suspect the colour of the sock) and moments of madness, it has been a bit of a joy ride. Want to catch them on the trail… they’ve recently passed the 50km mark.
Friday 5:33pm Team #200 - One More Time Closes the Gap 27 Aug 10
One More Time has crossed checkpoint 7, moving from fourth to second position behind the current leaders
Quality Meats.
Friday 5:50pm Team #92 - The Raspberries Celebrating 60th Birthday in Style 27 Aug 10
I don’t think that many people can say that they spent their 60th birthday walking day and night. Jill Carter from
The Raspberries can certainly lay claim to that one. She turns 60 today! With 220 years between them, the girls are doing well. They’ve taken shelter from the wind, entering the valley at Mt Kuring-Gai. So if you cross paths with team number 92… don’t forget to wish Jill a happy birthday.
Friday 4:01pm Team #177, #36 - All Female Teams, Deja Vu and Trail Cougars, Running Neck to Neck 27 Aug 10
Taking the lead currently on the all female teams is Deja Vu, crossing checkpoint 4 in 7 hours and 37 minutes. Running only 1 minute behind them is the Trail Cougars. Deja Vu will need to maintain their effort to keep the lead position. Trail Cougars’ Alison Lilley has the benefit of experience, having taken part in 6 Trailwalkers. She also led her team to take the fastest all female team in 2008, finishing the event in 17 hours and 53 minutes.
Did you know? 27 Aug 10
Did you know that the Oxfam Trailwalker started as a military training exercise run by the Queen's Gurkha Signals Regiment in Hong Kong in 1981? Since then countless – well, ten – other Oxfam have taken up the challenge to run their own Trailwalker including New Zealand, Canada, UK, Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Australia and Japan.
And Oxfam Belgium is hosting their third Trailwalker this weekend as well!
A stopwatch counting down on the Oxfam Belgium website reveals that there are only zero nog and 14 dagen until their event begins!
We wish all Belgian walkers, volunteers and staff the very best of luck for a fun and safe event.
Friday 4:15pm Team #124 - Quality Meats Still in the Lead at Checkpoint 6 27 Aug 10
Quality Meats holds first place at checkpoint 6, crossing the checkpoint in 8 hours and 25 minutes.
Friday 4:43pm Team #188 - Roaring Forties Involved in Forward Summersaults… Reminiscent of Action Movies 27 Aug 10
We hear that Mark Van Laarhoven fancies himself as a bit of a stuntman, doing an action packed forward summersault on his way to checkpoint 2! The good news is we can joke about it because all is well with him and the rest of the team. They are currently sitting at checkpoint 2, changing socks and sipping on cups of tea and soup… wishing they had a bit longer at checkpoint 1 to enjoy the African music.
Friday 3:48pm - Pick Your Bib Colour Wisely 27 Aug 10
Our fact sheet tells us that walkers wearing the red bib are 10% more likely to finish the full 100kms. So when you enter the race next year… select your bib colour wisely. If it helps, we can also tell you that we had a few blues dropping out this morning.
Friday 3:22pm Team #21 - Past Trailwalker Volunteers (Jurassic Park Attack Force) Walking the Track for the First Time Doing Well 27 Aug 10
We just called up Will Bennett (Jurassic Park Attack Force) to see what it felt like to swap sides and walk the trail rather than volunteer. 3 of the 4 team members have been helping out Trailwalker for a few years now and it was only a matter of time before they took on the challenge. When we called them a minute a go, we could hear laughter in the background. A good sign! The team had rested up at checkpoint 2 and were about to head out on the trail again. “No news is good news” says will – he had nothing to share in term of challenges. The trail has been clear and it has been smooth sailing for the team. We did ask him about the highlight… was it the challenge? The team building experience? The light at the end of the tunnel as they saw the checkpoint coming into view? Nope… it was the veggie burgers at checkpoint 1. We better make sure they are on the menu next year.
Friday 3:39pm Team #124, #84, #200, #4 - Top 4 teams cross checkpoint 5 27 Aug 10
The top four teams maintain their lead as they cross checkpoint 5. With only 14 minutes separating the four, the race is close. Still leading is Quality Meats followed by Redemption. One More Time has sped ahead of Better, leading by 3 minutes.
Friday 2:06pm Team #124 - Quality Meats Still Number One at Checkpoint 4 27 Aug 10
Quality Meats holds first place at checkpoint 4, followed closely by redemption. Our first place holders have increased their lead from 2 to 9 minutes. The next two teams crossing the line, Better and One More Time, are putting the pressure on the board leaders, coming equal third. The first 6 teams have now crossed the checkpoint line and our scouts on the trail tell us that large numbers are about to come through.
Friday 2:47pm - Deciding on a Name for Your Baby? 27 Aug 10
Naming your kids is a grueling task. You have to think ahead and consider the impact a name can have across those high school years. The Trailwalker team are here to help out. If the following four names are on your list, you might want to know that no one named Rosie or Martyn have ever finished the entire 100kms. Jon or Jess are good names to go with… we have had a few of those crossing the line!
Friday 2:31pm Team #2 - Ministry of Silly Bushwalkers Having a Good Day at the Office 27 Aug 10
Peter Worgan (Ministry of Silly Bushwalkers) has embarked on his 14th Trailwaker. The team has just heading into Mt Kuring-Gai, an hour ahead of schedule. We were all a bit worried about the winds. But Peter tells us that they are not all that bad… the winds are cooling the team nicely as they head towards the next checkpoint. We asked Peter how he was going, this being his 14th Trailwalker… He says that this is what he calls “a good day at the office”. We agree!
Trail-talking 27 Aug 10
Damian Mullins and his team the Bay City Strollers are approaching Checkpoint 2. We caught Damian on an uphill climb, so he was a little breathless, but still managed to have a chat about the camaraderie on the trail. “We have a lot of banter with some of the other teams we’re fundraising against.” He explains. “And then there’s other groups that you meet. You walk with a group, they overtake you when you stop for a rest, then you overtake them when they stop. So you do get the chance to chat to a lot of the other walkers.”
Damian and the other Bay City Strollers started training for the event back in March. Last year he had to drop out at the 70km mark while the rest of his team finished in 28 hours and 32 minutes. This year they’re not concerned about the time, and are just enjoying the walk, “The vibe on the track this year is absolutely fantastic.” says Damian.
Read more about the Bay City Strollers
here and check out the fantastic t-shirt they’ve had made for the walk!
