Physiotherapy advice for Oxfam Trailwalker 2011
The countdown to Oxfam Trailwalker has started! After finding out our team won a place in the lottery system, we are excited to begin training.
Oxfam Trailwalker began in 1981 as a military training exercise for the elite Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment in Hong Kong. It has since grown into one of the world’s leading team endurance challenges. Oxfam Trailwalker is fast becoming a global phenomenon, with 15 events in 12 countries and counting. Globally, the events have raised more than $100 million for Oxfam’s valuable work in Australia and around the world.
Oxfam Trailwalker launched in Australia in 1999, with events in both Sydney and Adelaide raising more than $250,000. The Sydney event currently sees more than 500 teams tackle the challenging 100km trail between the Hawkesbury and Sydney Harbour and raises in excess of $3 million each year. The inaugural Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney was won by a team of Gurkhas from the UK who finished in 15 hrs 5 mins. Gurkha teams won again in 2000 and 2001, and in 2002 they finished in a then record-breaking 12 hrs 41 mins. The fastest time for the Sydney event was recorded in 2005 with ACTrun finishing in 11hrs 59 mins. In 2009, Berowra Bushrunners became the first mixed team to win the Sydney event, crossing the line in 13 hrs 25 mins. In 2010, Quality Meats shaved more than an hour off the 2009 time, finishing in 12 hrs 7 mins.
Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney will be held in the bushland of northern Sydney, starting at Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River and finishing at Mosman on Sydney Harbour on the last weekend in August. The Sydney trail features the well-known Great North Walk and the Harbour to Hawkesbury Walking Track. Throughout the 100km, teams will tackle interesting and challenging terrain, featuring single track sections, hills and rocky trails. The Sydney trail is known for its beautiful scenery, which participants will enjoy as they pass along cliff tops, waterways and beaches.
As this will be a grueling task it is important we train and prepare our bodies to complete the 100km event. Fortunately having a physio on the team we should be in top shape with lots of preventive work being incorporated into our program. Already we are attending Pilates classes once a week at Physio On Miller and had our first training session through the spectacular Spit to Manly walk. Unfortunately with our various aches and pains we each have our individual physio exercise program to keep injuries at bay. We have purchased our Linebreak compression tights and will be heading to Footpoint Shoe Clinic to get the best footwear sorted.
Stay tuned to hear updates on our training progress and any advice we come across to help you with your training! If you are participating in Oxfam and have questions on how to prepare your body and remain injury free before and during the event please email or give us a call on 8065 6902.
