Coastrek Ambassador Libby Trickett returns for her fifth Coastrek
Coastrek – Australia’s premier charity hiking challenge for women – will step out on the Sunshine Coast in the annual walk for mental health supporting Beyond Blue on Friday 15 July 2022.
An estimated 2,000-strong group of trekkers will walk either 60km or 30km in teams of four along some of Australia’s most spectacular coastline from Currimundi to Noosa. A fantastic fitness goal, Coastrek includes a dedicated 6-12week training program ensuring all trekkers are well prepared and get the most out of this life-changing experience that raises funds for Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service.
“Our Sunshine Coast event is such a spectacular route and we always have a fantastic turn out from trekkers looking to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of walking in nature. Our goal is to get more women to fall in love with fitness and continue trekking and enjoying the outdoors long after event day,” says Coastrek Founder & CEO, Di Westaway OAM.
Registration for Coastrek on the Sunshine Coast closes 3 June 2022 – visit www.coastrek.com.au for team registration and further information.
This event puts the ‘coast’ in Coastrek with kilometres of beach hugging trail and an abundance of leg-toning sand. Highlights include a scenic trek around Maroochy River and the beautiful canal estate of Twin Waters, coastal trails through Coolum and Peregian Beach, and – for something completely different – a free shuttle boat ride across the Mooloolah River, with a finish in the Noosa Woods bushland setting.
Australian Olympic Swimmer Libby Trickett will return for her fifth Coastrek as Ambassador and shared why she keeps coming back to Coastrek:
“When I was racing, I was a sprinter, but Coastrek has taught me about endurance and how strong my mindset can be. I think that’s what keeps bringing me back to this event. On event day it teaches you so much about yourself and your friends and it’s an awesome opportunity to get out, see amazing locations and get exercising and chatting and support each other.”
Community Ambassador, Peta O’Brien, will return for her second Coastrek and tackle the 60km distance. After experiencing the loss of her sister in a tragic accident in 2020, Peta found training and participating in Coastrek helped recover from the sudden loss of a family member in a tragic accident:
“Training for Coastrek was a huge help in managing my grief as it gave me a focus and a goal to work towards while supporting a cause I was passionate about. I leaned on Beyond Blue for support when I really needed it so I know the benefits that the 24/7 support service provides.”
The event is aiming to raise $1,000,000 for the support service – part of an overall fundraising goal of $6 million for the year across Coastrek’s five events throughout Australia – including a brand new event in Margaret River in October 2022. All Coastrek routes are meticulously planned in coordination with local councils and national parks to ensure all trekkers tread lightly on our treasured land.
About Wild Women on Top and Coastrek
Established in 2004, Wild Women on Top is one of Australia’s largest and longest running women’s health movements. Their mission is to connect, coach and champion women in the in the outdoors through community hiking adventures and their flagship Coastrek program of events around Australia.
Since the first event in 2009, Coastrek has transformed millions of lives globally with over 40,000 trekkers in its 13-year history raising nearly $40 million, firstly through an 11-year partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation and since 2020 with Beyond Blue. To date, nearly 2 million kilometres have been trekked by women and men who have trained and completed a Coastrek challenge – that’s 40 times around the world!
In 2020, Founder & CEO Di Westaway was awarded an OAM for services to women’s health, fitness and charity services. She is an authority on lifestyle health and wellness and trek training and has authored two books: ‘Natural Exhilaration’ and ‘How to Prepare for World Class Treks’. She also holds the world record for the highest handstand at 6,982m above sea level on Mt Ama Dablam, Nepal.
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