Trailwalkers around the world

With an impressive 11 trails in nine countries – and more planned for the future - Trailwalker is becoming a global phenomenon.

Since it began in 1981, 1000s of walkers around the world have successfully taken on Oxfam’s 100 km challenge: to walk 100 km, in teams of four, in a limited time.

Thanks to each and every one of them, more than US $70 million has been raised to help overcome poverty and injustice.

UK

100 km in 30 hours

The Gurkhas are still a big part of Trailwalker UK.

When the Gurkhas were redeployed to the UK in 1997, they established Trailwalker on the South Downs Way. By 2000, the UK event had become the nation's largest ultra-distance marathon.

In 2002, the Gurkha’s invited Oxfam GB to partner them on the event and split the money raised between Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Within a couple of years the funds raised by the event increased ten fold and it became Oxfam GB’s top fundraising event. It now attracts more than 500 teams each year.

Due to its success, in May 2009 Oxfam GB is launching a new 100km challenge, Trailtrekker, which has capacity for a further 400 teams. The route is through the stunning Yorkshire Dales.

Hong Kong

100 km in 48 hours

The event began in 1981 as a military training exercise for the elite Queen's Gurkha Signals Regiment in Hong Kong.  The Maclehose Trail – a 100 km trail from coast to coast – was used to test their soldiers’ stamina and teamwork skills. The event was quickly adapted to raise funds for the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

In 1986, the Gurkha’s invited Oxfam Hong Kong to partner them on the event – which proved to be a highly successful partnership.  When the Gurkha’s were redeployed to the UK in 1997, Oxfam Hong Kong took ownership of the event.  Trailwalker Hong Kong has continued to be overwhelmingly popular and attracts over 2,000 entries for its 900 team places.

Australia

100 km in 48 hours

Sydney
Oxfam Australia launched Trailwalker Sydney in 1999, and within two years it became their top fundraising event, attracting 500 teams each year. The route is exceptionally challenging, running from the Hawkesbury River through to Seaforth on Sydney’s northern beaches.  This is why teams have 48 hours to complete the course.

Melbourne
Trailwalker Mebourne was launched in 2002 and now attracts a further 650 teams. The Melbourne route is equally challenging starting at Jells Park in Wheelers Hill and finishing at Wesburn Park in the Yarra Valley.

New Zealand

100 km in 36 hours

Oxfam New Zealand held its first Trailwalker in 2006 around the beautiful Lake Taupo. It successfully attracts 350 teams each year.

Japan

100 km in 48 hours

In 2007, Oxfam Japan launched its first Trailwalker taking its teams from Odawara city to Lake Yamanka. The event has the capcity for 250 teams.

Belgium

100 km in 30 hours

Oxfam Belgium held its first Trailwalker in 2008 in the magnificent surroundings of High Fens, starting and finishing in Eupen.

Trailwalker calendar

In 2009 Trailwalkers are being launched by Oxfam Novib, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Ireland.

Related links

• Trailwalker
• Trailtrekker