EVENT Rules

The event rules are in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved and to ensure the ongoing viability of the event. We ask that you read and understood the rules prior to the event.

1. All Oxfam Trailwalker participants must be aged 18 or above by Thursday 29 February 2024.

2. At the start of the event, each team must have a minimum of three members. The maximum team size is six team members.

3. Oxfam Australia reserves the right to alter the trail without notice and/or cancel the event in consultation with, and under the direction of, emergency services agencies and major event stakeholders or landowners. If the event is cancelled, participating teams have the option of requesting a 50% refund of their registration fee.

4. Oxfam Trailwalker participants must raise a minimum of $500, in addition to the non-tax deductible, non-refundable and non-transferrable registration fee to participate in the event. Team members must have fundraised at least the minimum $500 by Friday 23 February 2024 to be eligible to participate. Teams that fail to do so will be unable to start the event without the prior approval of event organisers.

5. Oxfam Trailwalker is a challenging team event. Adequate time is necessary for training and fundraising before undertaking it. Therefore, substitution of all team members is not permitted. Teams can replace team members before 12noon, the Tuesday of the event week (27 February 2024), via their dashboard or by contacting the Oxfam Trailwalker Team. If any team changes are required after this, it must be done upon arrival at the event at the Team Changes desk in the start precinct. No substitutions will be allowed to a team once the team has started the event.

6. The provided identification event bibs (including timing chips) must be worn at all times during the event.

7. All team members must stay together between checkpoints and must exit each checkpoint together.

8. Any participant who is injured or exhausted must be brought to the nearest checkpoint by their teammates for medical assistance. If the injury is serious, follow emergency procedures.

9. Under no circumstances are individuals to be left unaccompanied. If a team member becomes seriously injured and cannot be moved, one person must stay with them while the others seek help.

10. Participants wishing to withdraw during the event must first report to the nearest checkpoint. Remaining team members cannot continue until the withdrawal of the team member has been reported. If, for any reason, a participant has to leave the event urgently, call the Event Control Centre via the number printed on the event bib as soon as possible to notify them.

11. To withdraw from the event, a participant must notify staff at the Team Changes desk at the nearest checkpoint.

12. If members of a team have withdrawn, and there are now less than three remaining team members, those continuing with the event must join with another team at the nearest Checkpoint by notifying staff at the Team Changes desk and having this officially documented. The team members must walk/run with the new team(s) between checkpoints. This is to ensure that all event participants travel in groups of at least three people for safety reasons. This does not mean that team members join the other team — each team will retain their identity, team number throughout the event.

13. If teams decide to leave the trail or checkpoints to sleep, or for any other reason, they must do so from a designated checkpoint. Upon arriving at the checkpoint the team must inform the checkpoint staff of their intention and an estimated return time. Failure to do so will result in the team being reported missing and a search will be initiated. The team must return to the same checkpoint to resume the event.

14. Teams that fail to depart a checkpoint by the published closing time will be withdrawn from the event and will be advised not to proceed. Teams that disregard this advice proceed at their own risk. The closing times are calculated on the basis that there would be insufficient time remaining to complete the event.

15. Finishing times will be recorded per team member, as they cross the finish line timing mat. While Oxfam Trailwalker is a team event individual times will be recorded.
16. Only teams with three or more team members finishing within the official event time will be eligible for official ranking.

17. Every 100km and 55km team must have a support crew and must be self-sufficient. The support crew is responsible for providing teams with their food, water and changes of clothes during the event. Please ensure your support crew is suitably briefed.
It is recommended that 33km teams also have a support crew and must be self-sufficient, however this is not a mandatory requirement.

18. Teams are strictly forbidden to meet their support crew at any location along the trail except the checkpoints. Any team found breaching this rule will be disqualified.

19. Any team or participant who ignores road crossing instructions from marshals faces risk of disqualification.

20. Do not litter. Participants and support crews must respect the environment and local neighbourhood by using the litter and recycling bins at the checkpoints or taking rubbish away with them.

21. Dogs are not permitted on the trail or at checkpoints. Smoking is strictly forbidden on the trail and at checkpoints.

22. Teams are asked to respect residential and local parking regulations. Support crews not obeying instructions from parking marshals risk their team’s disqualification from the event.

23. Participants must keep noise levels to a minimum when walking in residential areas during training and the event.

24. Teams must carry a minimum of two mobile phones, preferably on two different networks.

25. Each team must carry at least one first aid kit at all times containing, as a minimum:
- a compression bandage
- a triangular bandage
- strapping tape
- sterile dressings
- antiseptic wipes
-assorted blister treatments
- one thermal blanket per team member

Additional first aid supplies must be kept with your support crew. Prescription medication and painkillers are your team’s responsibility.

26. All fundraising activities undertaken by participants must adhere to the relevant state government regulations.