Our purpose at Coastrek is to help more women fall in love with health and fitness. We dream of a world where all women thrive; a world free from preventable disease, a world where women love their bodies, kids cartwheel in the park and families get outside.
We want to see a world where every woman experiences the joy of moving in nature every day.
That’s why we’ve launched the Twilight 20km for all Coastrek events in 2023.
We have inspired tens of thousands of women to get out in nature walking with friends over the past decade, but every year we get the same feedback: for many people 30km is too long. We hear from beginners, people who haven’t exercised in a while, people with injuries, and those recovering from pregnancy or illness.
They want to be part of the magic of Coastrek, but they want an event that’s more accessible, less committing and easier to train for without sacrificing all the exhilaration and fulfilment that comes from taking on a challenging outdoor adventure.
They want an event that heals mind, body and spirit without the added pressure of taking on too big of a challenge.
In the past year, we’ve noticed a trend towards focusing on healing and restoring immunity. Many of us have friends and/or family with long Covid and other mysterious maladies which has made us way more focused on our wellbeing, including sleep, radical rest and a new gentler balance.
Every day, we’re learning more about the health benefits of stillness – especially for those of us who have been existing in a fight-or-flight mode for the past few years.
For some of us, meditation, breathing, yin yoga and gentle walking are replacing their usual workout routines. For others, the yang of high intensity, adrenaline bursting adventures and/or ice baths are still the best medicine.
Some of us are learning to say ‘no, thank you’ to the HIIT sessions and vigorous cardio we used to enjoy. Others are still craving the endorphins and adrenaline that comes from pushing their bodies way outside their comfort zones.
The Twilight 20km is about renewal and restoration. It’s for people who have never walked 10km in their life, as well as those who previously walked 60km and now prefer to stroll into the sunset and watch the stars twinkle. It’s also for those who can’t get the day off work, or like the chill of the evening air or the thrill of walking in nature in the dark, or just want something fun and restorative rather than a huge physical challenge.
We’ve lovingly crafted the most scenic bush and coastal trails in Sydney, Mornington Peninsula, the Sunshine Coast, the Fleurieu Peninsula and Margaret River to bring you an adventure that delights, inspires and truly helps to restore your wellbeing.
Why we created a Twilight 20km Event:
A twilight adventure: A wild girls night out, minus the hangover! The 20km hike starts just before sunset, so you’ll be walking into darkness. It’s a beautiful way to spend quality time with your girlfriends – without waking up with a sore head. Walking at night is such a magical experience – it makes you feel like a kid again! The scenery, wildlife and sights are spectacular. You’ll rediscover your city (or explore new trails), feel the wind in your hair and experience true exhilaration.
Restore your wellbeing: If your nervous system is overwhelmed from stress, covid, parenting or just life in general, training for the 20km can help you get your sparkle back. It’s gentle enough to work with your adrenals to calm your body and find balance. If this is your goal, prioritise some solo training sessions and take care to really immerse yourself in nature. Notice the colour of the leaves, the sparkle of the dew, the texture of the dirt beneath your feet – it has a profound healing effect.
Fit it into a busy schedule: So many women tell us they want to do Coastrek again, but feel they don’t have the time or the headspace to commit to an endurance challenge. The 20km is an accessible distance which – for past Coastrekkers – doesn’t require a hugely intensive period of training. If you’re already fit, healthy and regularly walking, you can slot the 20km in between your busy life for a fun Friday night to remember!
Get yourself moving after a break from exercise: If it’s been a while since you’ve regularly moved your body, a 20km event is the perfect way to re-establish great movement habits. 20km is long enough to challenge you – which is what we want! – but allows you to progress your fitness slowly and gently and reduce the risk of injury or overwhelm. Hiking is one of the best ways to get back into exercise as it’s super accessible, doesn’t require fancy equipment or a gym membership, is gentle on the body and is fantastic for your health and wellbeing.
Get out of the heat of the day: Some people say Coastrek isn’t for them because they hate the heat, and yes, it can be hot. (To be fair, it can also be cold, windy, rainy, cloudy or absolutely PERFECT because… nature!). If you’re a rose who wilts in the sunshine, the Twilight 20km will suit you better than our other distances. No chance of sunburn for our 20km trekkers!
Build your confidence: If you think about a 30km, 45km or 60km event and are totally overwhelmed, a 20km is a great way to build your confidence. We want to encourage women at every stage of their health and fitness journey, building confidence and self-belief along the way. Once you have completed the 20km event, the 30km feels more achievable… and then the 45km… and before you know it you’ve walked 60km and cannot believe how amazing you are!
Fit it in after work: Coastrek is always on a Friday – for a number of reasons which you can see here. But for some people (our beloved teachers, hello!) it’s near impossible to get a Friday off work. This walk is for you. It starts in the evening, so you can save up your annual leave for your next holiday and still experience the Coastrek magic.
Interested in the Twilight 20km in your area? Get more info or register here.
