Coastrek – Australia’s premier charity hiking challenge for women – will step out on the Fleurieu Peninsula on Friday, 2 September, walking for mental health in support of Beyond Blue.
Over 1,200 trekkers are set to take on the 30km or 60km challenge in teams of four with a fundraising goal of $700,000 for Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service. Trekkers will start at Parsons Beach for the 60km and Victor Harbor for the 30km distances, with both events finishing at Goolwa. The event attracts predominantly women with a growing number of men each year joining in the walk for mental health.
Registrations close at midnight on 24 July at www.coastrek.com.au/adelaide
“Coastrek is a fantastic fitness goal that includes a dedicated 6-12week training program ensuring all trekkers are well prepared and get the most out of this life-changing experience,” says Coastrek Founder & CEO, Di Westaway OAM.
“Our goal is to highlight the benefits of training and walking in nature on physical and mental health so that this routine continues well after event day.”
Trekkers up for the 60km challenge will get a taste of South Australia’s famous Heysen Trail between Waitpinga and Encounter Bay – but there are plenty of highlights for the 30km trek as well. The 2.9km Kaiki Walking Trail will lead trekkers around Granite Island Recreation Park where they’ll see unusual granite formations, crashing waves, and stunning panoramic views from elevated platforms. The walk also features a spectacular 2.4 km cliff-top sculpture trail which features the work of local, national and international artists.
Julie McCrossin, AM – veteran radio and television broadcaster, journalist, comedian, political commentator and activist for women’s and LGBTQ rights – will be walking as Coastrek Ambassador in the 30km event. Julie has a long history with Coastrek and, having recently relocated to Adelaide, returns this year after an extensive battle with throat cancer, healthy and ready to hit the trail on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Coastrek on the Fleurieu Peninsula is one of five events around Australia. The Sydney event in March and the Mornington Peninsula event in May raised a combined $4.4 million towards 2022 goal of $6 million. The Sunshine Coast event will take place in July and a brand new event in Margaret River in October will complete the year’s events. Visit www.coastrek.com.au for further information.
All Coastrek routes are meticulously planned in coordination with local councils and national parks to ensure all trekkers tread lightly on our treasured land.
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Images available here
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 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 61,000 trekkers in its 13-year history raising over $43 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.
