Pukekohe Team Blitzes Sixth Annual Oxfam Trailwalker

A group of friends called Plucky Sods are ecstatic to cross the finish line as the fastest team in the history of Oxfam Trailwalker New Zealand, running the 100km trail in Taupo in just 11hours 13 minutes.

The team were determined to finish the event within an 11hour time frame – a feat which was last achieved in 2006. Averaging a whopping 8km per hour throughout the 100km, the team have surpassed the previous record of 11 hours and 49 minutes set in 2006 by the Sunhing Cosmo Boys from Hong Kong.

Newlywed team member Rob Cox, has been training extensively for the event throughout his wedding and honeymoon period, saying “We’re more than happy with the result, really stoked about the perfect weather and overall, I can’t complain.”

“These guys are fantastic – they have shattered the Oxfam Trailwalker record, running the entire course, and to top it off they have already raised over $2500 to help people living in extreme poverty,” says Oxfam's Executive Director Barry Coates

Oxfam Trailwalker is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Participants have come from as far as Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, Australia and throughout New Zealand to be involved with this event.

The trail takes participants through some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery, including Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon, stunning native bush and views across Lake Taupo.

Being amongst some of New Zealand’s picturesque spots is one of the reasons why people come to the event, but there are others explains Coates, “People have lots of reasons for doing
Oxfam Trailwalker. One reason is that they’re raising money for a very good cause and that is absolutely fantastic. We’re really grateful for all the participants and support crew for all they do to enable Oxfam’s work.”

“The event gives people the motivation to test their limits. During Oxfam Trailwalker’s six years, I’ve seen people cross the line looking like they’re truly given their all. It's very humbling,” said Coates.

Once the feet have recovered and the legs have revitalised, teams will continue to fundraise through the cut-off in June, supporting Oxfam’s humanitarian and long-term development work in some of the world’s poorest countries.

The current top fundraising team for this year’s event is Oceania One, which has raised $14,150, with Fisher Funds Flyers coming in at nearly $13,000. Oxfam hopes to raise $1 million from this year’s event. These vital funds help people around the world to overcome the injustice of poverty.

Throughout the 30 year history of Oxfam Trailwalker, over 32,000 teams (128,000 individuals) have collectively walked over 11.5 million kilometres (the same distance as circling the world 287 times!) and raised more than NZ$70 million.

/ENDS

EDITOR’S NOTES:

The first teams will begin at 6am on Saturday April 9, with the second wave leaving at 7am

Live coverage of the event will happen throughout the weekend on the Oxfam Trailwalker website, including blogs, Twitter, videos and photos. Please visit:

www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz

In addition to the teams that have travelled from Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Brisbane and the United States to take on the challenge, Oxfam Trailwalker 2011 teams come from the following New Zealand towns or cities:

Ashburton
Auckland
Cambridge
Carterton
Christchurch
Dannevirke
Dunedin
Eketahuna
Fielding
Hamilton
Hastings
Hawera
Invercargill
Gisborne
Katikati
Manawatu
Matamata
Moerewa
Morrinsville
Napier
Nelson
Ngaruawahia
Northland
Palmerston North
Paparoa
Paraparaumu
Pokeno
Pukekohe
Queenstown
Rotorua
Taupo
Tauranga
Te Aroha
Te Awamutu
Tokoroa
Tuakau
Tutukaka
Waihi
Waitomo
Waiuku
Warkworth
Wellington
Whanganui
Whangarei

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