Trailwalker
Trailwalker or Oxfam Trailwalker and the related Trailtrekker are endurance walking events run across the world by Oxfam, in which teams of 4 competitors must complete a course of 100 kilometres (62 mi) in a set time limit - typically between 24 and 48 hours. The routes may be point-to-point or follow a circular route returning to the start.
The event began in 1981 in Hong Kong as a training exercise by the Queen's Gurkha Signals, part of the Brigade of Gurkhas of the British Army, which was at the time based in the British colony. After five years, in 1986, teams of civilians were allowed to take part and Oxfam Hong Kong was brought in as a charity partner.[1]
In 1997, with the handover of Hong Kong to China, the Gurkha regiments were relocated to the United Kingdom, and brought Trailwalker with them, organising it over the South Downs in Sussex, with Oxfam in the UK acting as partner since 2002, alongside the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Oxfam Hong Kong continued to organise the original event without the Gurkhas and the event has grown with 15 events now taking place in 12 countries worldwide.[2]
Since 1986, more than 65,000 participants in the Hong Kong event alone have raised over HK$323 million to support Oxfam's various poverty alleviation and emergency relief projects.
Contents |
[edit] Events
| Country | Location | Start | Finish | Time Limit | Year Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | Maclehose Trail | Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung | Yuen Long | 48 hours | 1981 |
| United Kingdom Trailwalker | South Downs | Petersfield | Brighton Racecourse | 30 hours | 1997 |
| United Kingdom Trailtrekker | Yorkshire Dales | Skipton | Skipton | 30 hours | 2009 |
| Australia | Sydney | Hawkesbury River | Seaforth | 48 hours | 1999 |
| Australia | Melbourne | Jells Park, Wheelers Hill | Wesburn Park, Yarra Valley | 48 hours | 2002 |
| Australia | Brisbane | Mt Glorious | Mt Coot-tha | 48 hours | 2011 |
| New Zealand | Lake Taupo | Kinloch | Taupo | 36 hours | 2006 |
| Japan | Odawara City | Lake Yamanaka | 48 hours | 2007 | |
| Belgium | High Fens | Eupen | Eupen | 30 hours | 2008 |
| Netherlands | Ede | Veluwe | Veluwe | 30 hours | 2009 |
| France | Parc du Morvan, Bourgogne | 30 hours | 2010 | ||
| Canada | Ganaraska Trail, Ontario | Springwater | Wasaga Beach | 48 hours | 2009 |
| Germany | Harz | Osterode am Harz | Osterode am Harz | 30 hours | 2010 |
| Ireland | Mourne Mountains | 36 hours | 2009 | ||
| Spain | Girona | Olot | St. Feliu G. (Costa Brava) | 32 hours | 2011 |
[edit] Common rules
There are some common rules across all the Trailwalker and Trailtrekker events.
- Each team must have 4 members, who are required to cross all check points and finishing line together, although teams may continue with only 3 members if one has to retire.
- Participants should also organise a support team, plan and start their training schedule at least 3 months before the event.
- All teams must raise a minimum sponsorship amount and those teams raising over the threshold will take priority in registering for Oxfam Trailwalker next year.
[edit] Macau TrailWalker
In mid-2010, Upward Bound Unlimited (UBU),[3] a Macau-based company which organizes sports tourism events in the Pearl River Delta region, and Macau's main English-language daily newspaper, the Macau Daily Times, announced that a cross-country hiking event called "Macau TrailWalker"[4] would be held later in the year with the support of the local Macau authorities.[5] The event was held on 9 October 2010[6] on the outer island of Coloane and consisted of a 30km category and a 12km category.
Prior to the event, Oxfam Hong Kong issued a press release stating among other things that it was not associated with the event or any of its organizers (nor had it been contacted by them), that it did not approve nor endorse the event, that no sponsorship money from the event would be used in any Oxfam aid work, and that it "reserved the right to take appropriate legal action to protect the Trailwalker name".[7]
[edit] External links
- Oxfam Trailwalker Hong Kong
- Oxfam Trailwalker Japan
- UK Oxfam Trailwalker
- Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne
- Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney
- Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane
- New Zealand Oxfam Trailwalker
- Oxfam Trailwalker France
- Oxfam Trailwalker Canada
- Oxfam Novib Trailwalker Netherlands
- Oxfam Trailwalker Germany
- Oxfam Trailwalker Belgium
- Spain - Intermon Oxfam Trailwalker
[edit] References
- ^ "Oxfam Trailwalker History". Oxfam Hong Kong. http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/opencms.war/opencms/_info_/about/history.html?__locale=en.
- ^ "Trailwalkers around the world". Oxfam. http://www.oxfam.org/en/getinvolved/trailwalker.
- ^ Upward Bound Limited website http://www.upwardbound-unlimited.com/
- ^ Macau TrailWalker http://www.macau-trailwalker.com/[dead link]
- ^ 'TrailWalker to discover Coloane', Macau Daily Times, 28 June 2010 http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/13838-TrailWalker-discover-Coloane.html
- ^ YouTube: "1st Macau Trailwalker, October 9, 2010 - Part 1" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ITgANxpAY
- ^ Oxfam Hong Kong's Statement Regarding "Macau TrailWalker" 2010-09-02 http://www.oxfam.org.hk/en/news_1272.aspx
