BRISBANE’S iconic Story Bridge will be illuminated ‘Oxfam Green’ to spotlight the global launch of a new 55km version of Oxfam Trailwalker – Australia’s leading charity endurance event from February 3-16.
Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane will be held from June 20-22, 2014, with teams of four being challenged to walk 100km in under 48 hours to raise money for Oxfam’s life-saving work with some of the world’s poorest communities.
The 2014 Brisbane event will also be the first Trailwalker anywhere in the world to trial a new shorter distance 55km option which will run parallel to the more familiar 100km challenge. Registrations are now open for both Brisbane options with the combined entry capped at 400 teams of four.
The 100km trail begins on the Friday morning at Mount Glorious and winds its way through the bush around Lake Manchester and up to Enoggera Dam before finishing at Mount Coot-tha. The 55km trail begins on Saturday morning at Lake Manchester and follows the same path to a common finish at Mount Coot-tha.
Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane Event Coordinator Simon Barwick said lighting up the Story Bridge in Oxfam green will help raise awareness of this important charity event among local Queenslanders but also marks Brisbane hosting the first major addition to the Oxfam Trailwalker format in its 33-year history.
“This is just the fourth year of Trailwalker in Brisbane yet already we are looking to make this event stand out among the other Trailwalkers nationally and internationally with the addition of a new single day, 55km option. This is for those who want to get a taste of the event but don’t feel they are ready for the full 100km challenge first up,” Barwick said.
“With 100,000 motorists expected to cross the Story Bridge each day, and thousands more people able to see the illuminated bridge from around the city, we are hoping its new ‘green’ look will inspire people to find out more about Oxfam and to take up the Trailwalker challenge.”
Beginning in Hong Kong in 1981, Oxfam Trailwalker has grown to become one of the world’s highest profile charity endurance events, taking place annually in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, and internationally in India, New Zealand, Spain, Japan, France, UK, Ireland, Belgium and Hong Kong.
Since the first Oxfam Trailwalker event in Australia in 1999, more than 52,000 Australians have walked or run 100km in 48 hours raising more than $55 million to support Oxfam Australia’s work in communities around the world.
To register a team for either the 100km or 55km options, visit trailwalker.oxfam.org.au or phone 07 3637 4647 for more information.
Source: Oxfam Australia Media
