The Sunshine Coast community is being asked to ‘step up’ to raise money for mental health wellbeing.
Coastrek is an annual fundraising event held at different Australian coastal locations each year.
The team event returns to the Sunshine Coast July 17 and organisers are urging participants to register before entries close June 7.
Teams of two or more participants seek sponsorship to tackle hiking routes ranging from 20km to 50km from Noosa to Mooloolaba.
The beneficiary of this year’s fundraiser is mental health charity Beyond Blue.
The challenge promotes what organisers call the “Five Fs”: fun, fitness, friends, fresh air and fundraising. People of all fitness levels are encouraged to get outdoors and move together.
“We’re seeing more women realise that getting outdoors and moving in nature isn’t just good for you, it’s transformative,” said founder Di Westaway OAM.
“Time in nature, walking with others, is one of the most powerful ways to reset mentally and physically.
“It really is the best medicine.”
The 50km “Gutsy Adventurer” route begins at sunrise in Noosa and winds through Peregian, Coolum, Marcoola, Mudjimba and Maroochydore before finishing at Mooloolaba.
The 30km Nature Seeker course starts at Peregian Beach and follows the coastline through Coolum, Point Arkwright and Marcoola before continuing to Mooloolaba.
The shorter 20km Trail Taster begins at Marcoola Beach and takes hikers through Mudjimba, Twin Waters and Alexandra Headland before ending at Pirate Ship Park in Mooloolaba.
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It’s designed as a shared team experience rather than a race as participants are encouraged to cross the finish line together.
Teams of two or more can enter and all participants receive access to a 12-week Coastrek training program and an online support community.
Since launching in 2009, more than 90,000 people have completed a Coastrek challenge across Australia, collectively raising more than $57 million for charities including Beyond Blue, the Heart Foundation and the Fred Hollows Foundation.
Registration starts from $125 per person.
