The Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney event wrapped up at 10am this morning, as the final walkers crossed the finish line with stunning views over the Spit to Manly trail.
More than 2,000 participants trekked through some of Sydney’s most beautiful bush land over the weekend, raising almost $2 million and counting for Oxfam’s work tackling poverty in communities around the world.
Oxfam Trailwalker is a fundraising endurance challenge where teams of four have 48 hours to walk 100km or 24 hours for those doing the 50km event.
The 100km trail started on Friday morning at Parsley Bay, Brooklyn, and the 50km trail started 24 hours later at the picturesque Bobbin Head National Park. Both events then follow the same trail, finishing up at Tania Park.
The first team to cross the finish line on Friday night was team Perfect Line who completed the 100km event in 17 hours and 19 minutes.
Paralympic wheelchair basketball champion Troy Sachs walked 100km – that’s about 125,000 steps – in a prosthetic leg, completing the event in an incredible 29 hours.
"When comparing it to wheelchair basketball, that was a job, I was doing it for Australia. This is more personal," Mr Sachs said.
"Anyone can run a marathon, but a great charity, walking 100km and ticking it over to triple figures – for me that’s a real challenge."
Sydney mum of two Lorah Chetcuti, who has shed almost half her body weight in 18 months through healthy eating and exercise, finished the 100km trail in 33 hours. Ms Chetcuti first completed Oxfam Trailwalker last year when she was 50kg heavier.
A team called Send in the chopper walked the 50km event in memory of their friend and former team mate who was registered to walk with them, but sadly passed away before the event. His passing strengthened their commitment to finish the trek together and they crossed the finish line in 13 hours, 49 minutes.
Oxfam spokesperson Anna Wemyss said the team currently topping the fundraising leaderboard was called Jana Half Trackers and they had raised more than $25,000 and counting.
"Sydney teams have been incredibly generous this year with their fundraising efforts and as usual, donations will continue to come through over the weekend and beyond," Ms Wemyss said.
"This will go such a long way in supporting the important work Oxfam does around the world."
Oxfam Trailwalker has raised $100 million nation-wide since first launching in 1999.
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