Oxfam Trailwalker Canada

Toronto, ON – May 26, 2009 – Forget Ironman. Forget the Amazing Race. Meet Oxfam Trailwalker, the world’s toughest team challenge. Making its North American debut in Ontario
the weekend of July 24th – 26th, 2009, Trailwalker is considered one of the most demanding outdoor physical challenges on Earth.

Eventual winners, "Team Body Battle" prepare at the starting point. "Team Body Battle" finished the course in 20 hours.

Starting at the historic Fort Willow Depot in Springwater, Ontario, teams of four hiked 100 challenging kilometers along the Ganaraska Trail System, ending at Wasaga Beach on the
shore of beautiful Georgian Bay. But that’s not all – each team had to cross the finish line – together – all under a 48 hour deadline.

The teams set off at the start line

Originating in Hong Kong in the 1980s as a training exercise of the elite military unit, the Queen’s Gurkhas, Oxfam Trailwalker has gained international recognition and now takes place
in Hong Kong, Australia, England, Japan, New Zealand, Belgium and for the first time this year, events are scheduled in The Netherlands, Ireland and Canada.

One participant gets stuck in the mud.

Recommending that teams not rest or sleep for more than 3 to 4 hours at a time, participants were given a maximum of 48 hours to complete the challenge. As well as requiring the utmost from each team member physically, each team also committed to raise a minimum of $2,500, in support of Oxfam’s community development and humanitarian relief efforts worldwide.

Oxfam Canada Trailwalker 2009

“Trailwalker is a one-of-a-kind event,” said Nicole Salmon, Director of Development at Oxfam Canada. “It offers people an incredibly satisfying personal achievement and is a great experience to share with friends and family, while helping those most in need.”

Trailwalker markers along the path ensured that no one got lost.

Trailwalker also offers unique personal growth and training opportunities for Canadian athletes and competitors, such as curlers Craig Savill and Brent Laing. As 2007 World Champions, Savill and Laing are currently in training for the National Trials in Edmonton, competing for the chance to represent Canada at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. “Trailwalker is the perfect training exercise for our team,” says Savill. “It gives us the opportunity to improve our athletic endurance and at the same time reinforces our ability to work as a team – supporting and relying on one another.”

Crossing the finish line, olympic curlers, Brent Laing and Craig Savill, used Trailwalkers as part of their training for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.

Hundreds of Canadian volunteers registered to support the event and help meet Oxfam’s goal of aiding in the lives of women, men and children living in poverty around the world. Globally, Oxfam Trailwalker is a positive force for change. The Trailwalker Hong Kong event currently sells out with almost 4,000 participants per year. “As the inaugural North American stop for Trailwalker, Canadians can be thrilled to join the prestigious ranks of host locations across the globe,” says Salmon. “While Canadians have a keen competitive edge, we are also kind and generous by nature. Trailwalker is the perfect opportunity for participants to achieve personal development while demonstrating compassion and support for those most in need.”

Oxfam Canada Trailwalker 2009

About Oxfam Trailwalker
Oxfam Trailwalker began in 1981 in Hong Kong, and has since grown into one of the world’s leading sporting challenges. In just over 20 years, Oxfam Trailwalker has become a major international fundraising event held in over eight countries. Since its inception, the event has raised millions of dollars internationally with thousands of people competing each year.

Oxfam Canada Trailwalker 2009

About Oxfam Canada
Oxfam Canada fights poverty and injustice in developing countries with a strong commitment to women’s rights and equality between women and men. Oxfam Canada is a member of Oxfam International, a federation of thirteen autonomous non-governmental organizations. Together, Oxfam works to tackle the root causes of poverty, social injustice and inequality. Founded in 1963, Oxfam Canada supports community programs that develop leadership, self-reliance and active citizenship.

Oxfam Canada Trailwalker 2009

Approaching the finish line!

Exhausted participants approaching the Finish line.

Oxfam Canada Trailwalker 2009

Oxfam Canada Trailwalker 2009

The last team crosses the finish line

Participants celebrate their acheivements after crossing the finish line.

See more of my photos from Oxfam Trailwalker Canada here

find out more about Oxfam Canada