Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney – Event Safety Response Teams

About Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney

Trailwalker Sydney is an event run by Oxfam where teams of four walk or run a 100km route through bushland near Sydney in 48 hours or less. The event has been run since 1999 and raises funds for Oxfam’s charity work around the world to alleviate poverty.

The Oxfam Trailwalker is one of the toughest team endurance events in the world. It is also one of Australia’s most popular ultra-marathon events, with 1800 people entering this year in 450 teams. This year over $2 million was raised for Oxfam.

More information about the Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney event can be found at their website.

Involvement of BSAR In Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney

BSAR has provided the event safety response teams for Trailwalker Sydney since the inaugural event in 1999. The safety response team’s role primarily is to be the first response to teams in distress or lost, however as a secondary role we also do any necessary work on the track during the event such as fixing track markers or checking track conditions during the event. We have teams available to respond to incidents for the full duration of the event, 48 hours non-stop, day or night. BSAR was selected for this role because of its expertise in providing first aid and effecting rescues in difficult terrain.

Over the years BSAR has assisted dozens of teams during the Trailwalker. We work closely with the Ambulance Service and Police so injured or exhausted competitors get the care they need.

Many sections of the event route are only accessable by foot on rough tracks. This is the sort of terrain were the skills, fitness and experience of BSAR is well suited. Some of the evacuations BSAR has assisted with have involved broken bones, sprains, dehydration, hyponatremia, exhaustion, becoming lost or falls.

Participation in this event helps showcase BSAR capabilities in remote area search and rescue.