Outdoor enthusiasts flock to the Murraylands

Hundreds of walkers have assembled in the Murraylands for the first of several local activities planned by walking clubs this year: the JLF Trek.

Last Thursday evening, participants in the Jodi Lee Foundation fundraising trek gathered at the Murray Bridge council’s skills centre, formally the Centrelink offices, in Bridge Street to be briefed on the following two days’ activities.

The briefing was attended by about 50 entrants, with many watching online.

Participants mainly came from South Australia but also from Queensland and Victoria.

The individual fundraising target was $500 but many formed teams to raise additional funds from sponsors for the foundation.

The trek is an endurance event designed to challenge participants physically and mentally.

A medium to high level of fitness was required, as the two-day event covered 71 kilometres.

It was hoped that the target of raising $180,000 would be reached.

The foundation was formed in memory of Jodi Lee, who passed away in January 2010 from bowel cancer, a few days before her 41st birthday.

The foundation’s aim is “raising awareness for the prevention and early detection of bowel cancer”.

Friday’s task was 39.5 kilometres from Mount Beevor to the Monarto Recreation Reserve using the Lavender Federation Trail, a 325km walking trail from Murray Bridge to Clare.

The 120 participants first had to get to Mount Beevor from Diggers Rest through the Snake Gully gate.

Mount Beevor is a 503-metre-high peak within the Murray Bridge and Mid Murray council areas and one of the highest peaks on the eastern flank of the central Mount Lofty Ranges.

From the summit can be seen Mount Barker and Mount Lofty to the west, the Coorong and Southern Ocean in the south and the Murray River to the east.

Checkpoints along the route with medical staff from the Royal Flying Doctor Service kept tabs on the welfare of the runners and walkers.

The first to reach the finish line was at 1.20pm, the latest 5.37pm.

Saturday’s trek commenced at Long Island Reserve at 7.30am in light fog with 220 participants.

Before starting it was announced that already $175,000 had been raised.

The day’s route had two options: one of 21.5km and the other 31.5km.

The route used the Murray Coorong Trail around the Narooma Wetland to Sturt Reserve, on to the Lavender Federation Trail into Rocky Gully and Kinchina Conservation Park, where several of the trails within the park were used, before rejoining the Lavender Federation Trail to Monarto Recreation Reserve.

Food and drinks at a final get-together allowed participants to relax after the gruelling two days.

Team Roussos leader Anna Roussos and her 17 followers had raised $44,500 by the end of the event and were aiming to reach their $50,000 target.

Ms Roussos was competing in her fifth Jodi Lee Foundation event and said it was the most enjoyable and surprising yet.

They stayed at Mannum and were full of praise of the friendliness and how helpful everyone was throughout the days of the event.

“Friday’s trek was excellent, with surprising scenery and kangaroos; Saturday, however, was, in one word, stunning,” she said.

“The effect of the fog over the water at the start got even better, with such diverse scenery.

“I didn’t expect to see rocky gorges, sandy areas and panoramas today, topped off by the giraffes and other animals we saw as we passed the Monarto zoo.

“I had a great time and will be back with the family to experience more of the area.

“There is a feeling of a great community here.”

• Donate to the Jodi Lee Foundation: fundraise.jodileefoundation.org.au/donations.

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