4 minute read
BEACHES ON SHOW FOR COASTREK
Magical. That’s the word that continually pops up when Freshwater local, Ann Jenkins, talks about Australia’s most iconic hiking challenge, Coastrek, which is returning to the Northern Beaches in May 2024. And with 20 events under her well-worn walking boots, no one knows more about the joy Coastrek delivers.
Created by Wild Women On Top, one of Australia’s largest and longest running women’s health movements, Coastrek is an uplifting event that invites participants to trek scenic coastal trails around Australia, while championing wellness, community and fundraising to help end heart disease.
Striding out on Friday, 3 May 2024 with three distances – 50km, 30km or the Twilight 20km – Coastrek stretches from Palm Beach to Balgowlah Heights and traverses wild rocky headlands, meandering nature trails and golden arcs of sand.
Freshwater local, Ann Jenkins, has participated in 20 events and is already looking forward to 2024!
“It really is a magical experience – and you don’t need to be a top athlete to take part,” says Ann.
“It’s just a matter of committing to the training with your teammates. Then it’s one foot in front of the other and before you know it, you’re carried along by the beautiful concept that is Coastrek, the people you meet along the way and the spectacular views. It truly is an inspiring thing to do.”
As part of a team experience, Coastrek has also been a huge source of selfdiscovery for Ann.
“It’s taught me to be gutsy when I’m uncertain; that I can do things I never dreamed I could do; that I’m not a middle-aged, average woman, and that I’m strong and make a difference to so many people.”
Since its inception, Coastrek has raised more than $48 million dollars for Australian charities including The Fred Hollows Foundation (2009-2018) and Beyond Blue (2018-2022), and in 2024 the event will continue to support the Heart Foundation – raising funds for life-saving research in the fight against heart disease.
Over 70,000 trekkers have trained and completed Coastrek with friends, and Ann emphasises the importance of empowering your teammates (there’s four to a team) and the wider Coastrek community, who walk together on event days.
“I always get a bit competitive in the last 10km or so,” she laughs.
“I want to run as fast as I can to the finish and burst over the timing strip with an improved time. But it really is
about getting the team there in one piece with smiles on their faces. The finish line is a huge adrenaline rush, backed up by the greatest sense of achievement.”
Fellow Northern Beaches dynamo and Coastrek founder, Di Westaway OAM, has walked alongside Ann for more than 20 years, and it’s her enduring passion for getting women into nature for fitness, fun, and connection that gave rise to Coastrek in 2009.
However, the idea originated nine years earlier when, as an almost 40-year-old with three young children (and a lagging zest for life), Di was invited to join an expedition to climb Mt Aconcagua in Argentina.
“I was fatigued, fed up and seriously unfit,” explains Di. “With nothing but a bottomless washing basket to look forward to, I started wondering: is this all there is?”
While the team didn’t reach the summit – “it was a big, fat fail” – it was life changing. On her return, Di started a women’s fitness business focused on Trek Training in Sydney Harbour National Park (at night, so members could put the kids to bed and then get their glow-up), and in 2004 she launched Wild Women On Top.
“When our first Coastrek event was held, there was a lack of female representation in outdoor adventure and endurance events,” says Di.
“Today, while we’re unapologetically female focused, everyone is welcome to take part in Coastrek – we’re committed to getting more people moving in nature and falling in love with fitness, and helping the community while they do it.”
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
JOIN COASTREK’S EPIC CHARITY HIKE CHALLENGE!
Come join Ann, Di and the Coastrek family as they walk the breathtaking headlands, bush tracks and sand spits of the Northern Beaches in May. You’ll receive complete support with a expert-designed training program, and there’s an active community cheering you on from the moment you register until you cross the finish line!
Visit coastrek.com.au and get ready for a life-changing Northern Beaches adventure. •
