A GROUP of locals will be running and walking 50kms through bushland as part of a fundraiser to help save koalas from extinction.
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Kym Visser along with her husband Warren and their daughter Ashley from Darawank will join their son’s partner Tara Elliot of Forster and good friend Chris Johnson of Tuncurry for the Wild Endurance teams challenge in the Blue Mountains in May.
Run by The Wilderness Society, the event is open to families, sporting clubs, community groups, nature lovers, corporate teams and “bucket list” achievers.
It will see teams of two to seven participants walk or run either 50kms or 100kms while experiencing the beauty and scenery of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
This year, Wild Endurance is supporting the work of Science for Wildlife. Contestants will be raising funds to assist with koala surveys and conservation.
Funds will also go towards training koala detection dogs, GPS equipment, and koala collars for the Blue Mountains Koala Project.
Mr and Mrs Visser and Mrs Johnson are no strangers to the event having competed in the 100km and 50km a few years ago but for Ashley and Tara it will be their first time.
The group have entered the event with the name ‘Travel, Play, Live Adventurers.’
Mrs Visser said what she loves most about the event is the challenge and the backdrop of the course.
“It’s just the challenge of it all. It’s something different. We’re doing it as a team and as a family. You’re out in the bush and in the fresh air,” Kym explained.
“I think you really have to do it for yourself though to understand why people want to do it.”
The group’s training regime consists of strength training in the gym three days a week, running outside three to four times a week and a five to six hour walk/run as a group on weekends.
“We started training in January. We’ve been around Cape Hawke and in the state forest at Possum Brush to get a bit more of a feel for it,” Kym said.
“Our plan for the race is to run the flats and downhill and walk the uphill. So far, I’m really pleased with how the team’s going.”
Mrs Visser, who is 46, says she enjoys staying active and events like Wild Endurance keep her motivated.
“You’ve got to have a goal. You’ve got to do something otherwise you won’t get out of bed in the morning.”
The group would like to thank Kerryann Hayes from the Travel, Play, Live Magazine for all of her support.
The Wild Endurance race will be held over the weekend of May 2-3. Registrations are now open online at www.wildendurance.org.au.
