By KATH GANNAWAY
THE sense of a shared challenge and a shared purpose are what drive Sue Hoffman and Lesley Grimes’ commitment to the Oxfam Trailwalker.
The annual, 48-hour, 100-kilometre, team event raises funds for Oxfam projects here and overseas.
One of the world’s leading team endurance challenges, more than 700 teams are registered for the Melbourne event that starts on Friday 8 April at Jells Park and finishes at Wesburn on 10 April.
The route goes through the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley national parks and along the Warburton Trail before crossing Mount Little Joe in to Wesburn.
Lesley, manager at the Yarra Centre in Yarra Junction, is looking forward to her 10th Trailwalker as part of a 40s/50s running team with experienced runners Julia Thorn and Robyn Fletcher and first-timer Kim Nanscawen.
As a running coach, Lesley says she loves the running aspect of the event and has been part of two teams that have taken line honours in their section.
She says the biggest challenge is the mental challenge, with the last stretch along the Warburton Trail hitting hardest.
“It’s pretty tough from Woori; 30ks of dead flat and it’s where a lot of the carnage happens,” she said.
“I really feel for the walking teams; I reckon it’s much harder for them.”
Lesley says Trailwalker is a journey that teaches a lot of life lessons including insights and personal reactions under stress.
“You’re out there for 100ks and you have to be flexible and go with the flow.
The pay-off comes with the final run through to the finish line at Wesburn Park.
“You realise anything is possible,” Lesley said.
Sue, from Warburton, has also been involved for more than a decade, starting as support crew for husband David in 2005.
Over the years she has done everything from working in head office, helping organise the volunteer roster to manning the phones at event control, marshalling, car parking and as a general ‘gofer’.
She has enormous admiration for the teams, and for Oxfam teams saying it is one of the best organised and professionally run events she has been involved in.
She agrees that the atmosphere at the finish line is worth all the hard work.
“It’s just fantastic, especially when you see people you know coming in and you know what they have gone through to get there.”
“I would encourage anyone to put their hand up to be part of the volunteer team, there are always places to fill and so many different roles.”
Lesley’s advice for anyone considering doing the Trailwalker is give it a go in 2017.
“My team runs all year and you can do it if you have a good fitness background, otherwise, you need at least 16 weeks of training,” she said.
The Trailwalker finishes at Wesburn Park with teams expected to filter in from late Friday night to Sunday morning.
To volunteer, register for 2017, or donate, visit trailwalker.oxfam.org.au/melbourne/
