By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
NIKKI Wynd ran for almost 12 hours straight on Friday and hardly broke a sweat.
At least, it doesn’t sound like the 100-kilometre Oxfam Trailwalker race was a challenge for the elite Lysterfield runner.
“We finished the run at 6.20pm, after starting at 7am, but some people were given 48 hours to complete it,” Nikki said.
“We didn’t stop at all. There were only six checkpoints but I’ve done over 200 kilometres for a race before.
“For me 100 kilometres is like an average person’s 10 kilometres.”
Nikki competed in the 12th annual Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne with three of her friends – Kellie Emmerson, Deanna Blegg and Samantha Gash – making up their all-female team named Trails Plus.
Each of the women elected to run the entire challenge despite walking being a preferred option among racegoers.
The 12th Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne finished with 81 per cent of the 3200 participants completing the gruelling 100km endurance challenge, while $2.4 million was raised towards Oxfam in the process, in an effort to help fight poverty.
Trails Plus was the second team to cross the finish line, having started from Jells Park in Wheelers Hill and making its way through the Dandenong Ranges National Park and the Yarra Valley and then on to Wesburn Park in Warburton.
Nikki, who has now competed in the Oxfam Trailwalker four times, said her team was overjoyed to have broken the previous female record, with a time on Friday of 11 hours and 20 minutes.
“We’re always striving to go above and beyond and to break any records is bonus,” Nikki said of her team.
“Most of the racing you compete in is as an individual so it’s a real challenge to run with your friends, and you can see the comradery of the other teams out there.
“It’s an amazing feeling when everything falls into place, it’s real buzz. I’ve been on a high ever since Friday.”
Oxfam spokesperson Yvette Petersen said the day’s results were impressive, especially considering wet weather had added an extra level of difficulty.
“There were some pretty slippery sections on the trail and it got pretty chilly out there, but spirits were lifted when the sun showed its face, especially at dawn with spectacular sunrises,” Ms Petersen said.
“The event was a great success and a massive achievement for participants that will support Oxfam’s life-saving work helping some of the world’s poorest communities find pathways out of poverty and injustice.”
