Oxfam TRAILWALKER is the world's greatest team challenge. And it’s also one of the toughest.
The challenge is to complete 100kms in 48 hours as a team of four – starting together, sticking together and finishing together.
The event is also a major fundraising event for Oxfam Australia, providing vital funds to support some of the world’s poorest people. The money raised will be used to support our ongoing aid and development work in conjunction with 13 other Oxfam organisations across 99 countries including Indigenous Australia.
Oxfam TRAILWALKER originated in Hong Kong in 1981, as a military training exercise for the Queen’s Ghurkha Signals Regiment. In 1986, Oxfam Hong Kong was invited to co-organise the event and then in 1997, completely took it over.
Overtime, Oxfam TRAILWALKER became one of the largest fundraising sports events in Hong Kong and now also has massive success annually in the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Belgium.
In 2011, the event will be in its ninth year in Melbourne, and thirteenth year in Sydney. In 2011 Brisbane will host its inaugural Trailwalker event. The event now collectively raises more than AUD $6 million per year.
Oxfam TRAILWALKER isn’t easy but with the right training, a positive attitude and a great Support Crew, just about anyone can do it. The Trailwalker motto is “Commit, Endure, Achieve"
WHO PARTICIPATES?
Australians from all walks of life take part in the physical endurance challenge of Oxfam TRAILWALKER.
Participants include accountants, chefs, nurses, fire-fighters, managing directors, lawyers, social workers, stockbrokers, environmental scientists, journalists, business people, dentists, vets, gardeners, teachers, doctors and army officers – it is an event for EVERYONE!
Some of Australia’s top endurance athletes also take part, from international eco-challenges, triathlon clubs, running clubs and rogaining clubs, as well as iron men and women.
There is also enormous support from corporate Australia with companies such as Deloitte, SMS Management & Technology, Foster’s Group and Upstream Print Solutions who regularly field multiple teams in the event. Origin Energy, Deloitte, Bendigo Bank and Middletons not only field teams but are also key supporters of the event through their volunteering programs.
Some 900+ generous volunteers will cover approximately 1,100 shifts, which are vital to the operational success of the event. An additional 3,000 people take part in the event as a member of a team’s Support Crew.
BACK IN MOTION, OFFICIAL PHYSIOTHERAPY PARTNER OF
OXFAM TRAILWALKER MELBOURNE
Back In Motion continues its strong physio support partnership in 2011 after 4 years associated with the great Trailwalker event.
Back in Motion provides up to 20 expert physiotherapists during the event to support participants as well as hosting Trailwalker preparation session across the practice network to help participants prepare and avoid injury.
In 2011, the Trailwalker Preparation sessions will be hosted at Back In Motion, Bayswater, Brunswick, and Camberwell.
These sessions are FREE and highly valuable for all participants. Run by professional physiotherapists, sessions cover injury prevention and management techniques as well as all the essential stretches and preparation exercises that will help you get through the event in the best shape possible.
TOPICS INCLUDE
Injury prevention: minimise the risk and stay mobile
Stretching: when to stretch, the right stretches, correct technique
Core Stability: The secret ingredient, it’s not what you think
Training Tips: What you should be doing with a month to go
Injury management: Know what to do in the case of injury
knee injury: How to keep it at bay and what to do if it acts up
Massage: Your pre and post event advantage
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