Ladies of Adelaide, get ready. Australia’s favourite adventure trek series for women is taking place along the stunning coastline the Fleurieu Peninsula (for the first time ever).
A the sun rises on September 21, 2,000 Aussie hikers will experience the natural exhilaration of the Coastrek, Team Trekking Challenge, along Adelaide’s stunning coast. This 30 to 60km hike inspires and empowers women to get fit and healthy while raising funds for the Beyondblue Support Service. And if that is not enough, Australia’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, is encouraging us all to get on board.
Beyondblue Chair Julia Gillard and Coastrek CEO Di Westaway sincerely encourage South Australian women, as well as the men in their lives, to join the challenging adventure hike and raise money for wellbeing. In teams of four (with 50% being women) the groups will hike along the Adelaide coastline in the name of a brilliant cause.
“This unique hiking adventure targets women and inspires and empowers them to take on a life changing adventure,” Ms Gillard said.
“We know that about 1 in 5 women in Australia will experience depression and 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety during their lifetime… This is higher than the rate for men. The Adelaide Coastrek is the perfect opportunity for women to get together, be active, combat stress and improve their mental and physical health,” Ms Gillard continues.
Explore the magic of the Fleurieu Peninsula; its rugged coastline, spectacular bays, secret bush trails and historic sites, all the while completing an incredible personal challenge with your friends while supporting mental health.
Ms Westaway said Coastrek gives women permission to take time out for themselves so they can focus on their health and wellbeing while also helping those in need.
Ms Westaway started Coastrek after what she calls her ‘Mid-Wife Crisis’. A frazzled, fed-up mum fighting 40, she realised that while nurturing her growing family, she had neglected herself. When a friend’s personal trainer invited her to climb a mountain in the Andes, a love affair with the thrill of adventure was born, and soon after so was Coastrek.
Former Adelaide Olympian, Juliet Haslam, will also be taking part in the trek. She attributes her recovery after her calf injury which prevented her from continuing in team sports to the exhilaration hiking gave provided her.
“After the injury limited my fitness options, I began to explore and found all of these fabulous trails, almost in my own backyard. Only minutes from home I’m able to climb hills, jump creeks and enjoy incredible scenery, all whilst getting a sweat up and having that head clearing time and space that we all so desperately need!” She said.
The importance of physical exercise in mental health has never been more important with Beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman telling us that research shows that keeping active can help us sufferers recover from anxiety or depression. The biggest benefit of Coastrek is that you get to do it with your friends and and family.
New Coastrek patron, journalist Jennifer Byrne, hopes that women will band together to raise funds for this vital cause.
“I feel totally in synch with all the things it stands for – love of nature, a keen faith in the power and generosity of women, and a commitment to the work of Beyondblue,’ said Byrne.
Coastrek began in Sydney in 2009, before launching in Melbourne in 2015 and the Sunshine Coast in 2017. Since then nearly 25,000 trekkers have raised over $22 million for charity. Adelaide Coastrekkers will experience the natural exhilaration of a wanderlust challenge as well as aiming to raise over $1 million for Beyondblue.
Registrations for the inaugural Adelaide Coastrek open next week at www.adelaide.coastrek.com.au but there are limited spots so don’t miss out.
So be sure to tell all the ladies in your life about this trek, and register for this wonderful opportunity to run along our gorgeous coastlines in an effort to acknowledge the plight of others with mental health struggles.
Coastrek
Thrilling 30km– Victor Harbour to Goolwa including Granite Island loop
Super 60km – Heysen Coastal trail from Parsons Beach to Goolwa including Rosetta Head and Granite Island
When: Friday September 21
You can register for Coastrek here.
If you are experiencing anxiety or depression, beyondblue mental health professionals are available 24/7 through their support service; call through 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3pm-12am ADST) or email responses (within 24 hours).
More News
