Auckland Training Weekend
It was great to see such a large turnout at the 2012 Auckland training weekend. With 49. 5km of walking under their belts, the teams are better equipped for the real thing! Thanks to Maui, AUT and all the teams and volunteers involved. Check out the photos on Facebook.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday
-
Oxfam staff onsite ready to answer your questions
-
Registration opens
-
Bivouac store opens
-
Maui Motorhome onsite to view
-
Set up your campsites
2.00pm Free podiatrist on site
safety briefing. Each workshop and training weekend course safety
briefing is a repeat. You only need to attend one session.
3.30pm Loop One (8.5km) officially opens
briefing
5.20pm Registration closes
briefing
6:30pm BBQ available for teams wishing to use it
6:45pm Support Crew Workshop
7:30pm Entry to Loop One closes (8.5km)
8:30pm Sunset
so before this time
Notes on Saturday Schedule:
Teams can start Loop 1 anytime between 3:30pm and 7.30pm but you MUST attend a workshop prior to your departure.
The aim is that your team can select your start time depending on what pace you are looking to set and how much time you are looking to spend in the dark. Please note head torches are required for this night walk.
Teams aiming to complete the Oxfam Trailwalker using the full 36 hours will need to start as close to 3.30pm as possible to ensure they are finished the 20.5km prior to course cut off.
Teams intending to complete the Oxfam Trailwalker in 12-15 hours can set off at dusk. The latest possible start time is 7:30pm. To be setting off at this time you need to be confident that your team can complete the 20.5km (in the dark) in less than 3.5 hours.
All participants must be finished and off the second loop prior to 11:00pm.
All participants should carry their head torch regardless of what time they set off – it gets dark quickly, don’t be caught out at dusk without one.
Sunday
6:00am Gates to forest unlocked (for those not staying at event base)
6:40am Sunrise
6:45am Registration opens
7:15am Compulsory day two course safety briefing for all walkers
7:30am Event start time for all teams (note this time is not flexible like Saturday)
3:00pm All courses closed
All teams must attend the course briefing at 7:15am and depart at 7:30am. Sunday is not a flexible start time like Saturday. Late starters will not be allowed on course.
The Course
The Oxfam Trailwalker Training Weekend consists of four loop courses designed to test you and your team’s fitness. The courses will be clearly marked however teams may print and bring copies of the maps to give you an idea of where you are going and assist you in the unlikely event that you stray off course. Each loop starts and finishes at event base so teams will be able to meet with support crew for snacks, sock changes and encouragement.
Please note there will be no aid stations on the course. We recommend that everyone is well hydrated before taking part in this event and that you carefully plan your water quantities for each loop. It would be a good idea to take a hydration pack.
Saturday afternoon and evening: Loop one Saturday 8.5km
Loop two Saturday 12.0km
Total 20.5km
Sunday morning and afternoon: Loop one Sunday 14.0km
Loop two Sunday 15.5km
Total 29.5km
Weekend total 50.0km
Saturday
On Saturday afternoon / evening your team will complete 20.5km divided into two loops.
The first loop takes you to the Northern side of the forest where we warm you up on a few hills. The total elevation climbed in this first loop is approximately the same total elevation climbed in the first leg of the actual Oxfam Trailwalker – 215m (bonus in the actual event this is spread over 16.4km so not quite as steep). You will pass through some stunning pockets of native trees as well as cover some more open forestry sections. A good taste of what's to come for the remainder of the weekend.
In the second loop you will follow a predominately single trail which brings you out to a forestry road. All the hard work is done near in the middle of this loop leaving you a nice stroll home to your beds on wide forestry roads.
Sunday
On Sunday morning (7:30am – please note this time is not negotiable) your team will head out on a solid 29.5km course. Again we have divided the course into two loops so your team will pass through event base and be able to meet with your support crew.
What was experienced in the dark Saturday night is revisited first thing Sunday morning however this loop has an added bonus 3.5km extension before bringing you back for lunch. Plenty of single trail to be walked on in this loop.
Loop two takes you all the way up to the scenic trig station overlooking the forest. A number of grunty up's and down's in this loop will ensure you have given your fitness a real test over the weekend. What’s pleasing to know is the total metres climbed in this final Sunday loop (570km) is almost half the total metres climbed in the entire OTW 100km. This loop is steeper than anything in the April event so when you finish you’ll know you are in a good position to tackle the real thing.
Gear
Everything about training weekend should mimic your plan for the event. This includes wearing and carrying the gear you intend to use. See below for some basic gear advice or check out our gear checklist page for a more comprehensive list.
Recommended Saturday gear to carry:
-
basic first aid kit
-
whistle and or cell phone (please note, mobile phone reception is limited)
-
hydration pack/drink bottle with fluid
-
working head torch / lamp
-
spare batteries for head torch / lamp
-
baselayer clothing and wet weather protection
Recommended Sunday gear to carry:
-
basic first aid kit
-
whistle and or cell phone
-
camelbak with fluid - food for the day
-
baselayer clothing and wet weather protection
Camping Information
Oxfam Trailwalker teams participating on both Saturday and Sunday are encouraged to camp at the event base. Camping is free however please note there will be limited facilities available; potaloos, drinking water, lighting and a BBQ so please come prepared.
There is a ban on using any type of cooker with a naked flame on the grass in the camping area. Teams will be required to bring their cookers onto the shingle road directly in front of the registration shed to minimise the risk of fire. Please note we will provide a BBQ that we encourage teams to make use of if you are after a hot meal.
On your registration form please confirm your camping numbers so we have an indication of how many tents and individuals to expect on site.
The Oxfam Events Team will be camping so come and join us!
Absolutely NO pets allowed. They may not stay in the car or be tied to your car. You will be asked to take your animals home if you bring them.
Driving Directions
-
From the city follow the North Western Motorway (SH16) following signs to Helensville. At the very end of the North Western Motorway continue straight, still on SH16 and still following signs to Helensville, it’s just not a motorway anymore.
-
Please note: if you exit at Westgate Shopping Centre (Hobsonville Road) there is no on-ramp back on to SH16 at this intersection. You will have to follow the old route to the forest via Fred Taylor Drive.
-
Turn right off SH16 onto Old North Rd (next right after Coatesville-Riverhead Highway).
-
Continue straight for approximately 8km, turning right onto Ararimu Valley Rd.
-
After approximately 5km turn right onto Barlow Road. Note Barlow Road is not road signposted but there will be an Oxfam Trailwalker sign on the corner.
-
If you hit Zanders Road on your left you've gone too far.
Entry Information
Online entries have now closed, please call Oxfam on 0800 OxfamNZ if you wish to make a late entry.
By prior arrangement, we will consider allowing additional walkers to participate per team. Please contact Oxfam if you wish to discuss this. Charges will apply.
