What is MatesRace?

MatesRace is the biggest and most challenging freak'n fundraiser on the planet involving a 28 day “race” around the entire coast of Australia.

Whats so challenging about that?

Well teams of two will have to beg, busk and borrow their way around Australia...

WITH NO MONEY!!!!!!!!

Following, the designated race course and some loose rules it will be up to their own street smarts and creativity to get from town to town.

Each team, representing their own charity, will raise funds through corporate sponsorship and individual contributions before leaving.

Teams will capture their experience (the good, the bad and the ugly – trust me there are going to plenty of them) along the way with their own handy cam.

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How will they make it?

By promoting their greatest asset, the word MATE. Aussies are renowned for using the term.

We say it every day to family, friends and people we meet for the first time… and yes, to those who we have met but just can’t quite remember their name (don’t be shy we have all done it before).

Teams will be expected to rely on good ol’ fashion Aussie mateship to help them out by way of a lift, meal or bed.

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Event Summary

28 day “race” around the coast of Australia (approx 20,000 km)
6 Teams of 2 people will compete with NO MONEY!
Teams represent their own charity and raise money through sponsorship
Teams will have to busk and work for money to use on travel, food and shelter
The race course will depart from Sydney, on Boxing Day, and proceed clockwise. I.e. Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth …..
Teams have to complete “Charitable Challenges” along the way
Teams must follow the set course and “race guidelines”.
Teams will be expected to rely on good ol’ fashion Aussie mateship

Key Dates

Media Launch - 9th December @ Piano Room
Race Commences: 26th December “Boxing Day” 08 @ Hickson Rd Reserve
Completion: 22nd January 09
Wrap Party - 25th January 09

Racecourse

Teams must follow the designated Race Course by passing through all check points and completing Charitable Challenges along the way

Check Points and Itenary

Teams must pass through the following check points and complete the set task.The dates used for the itenary are estimates only. Due to the nature of the event teams will be spread out and arriving at different times.

Melbourne: 27th - 28th December
Take pic on Federation Square

Adelaide: 29th - 30th December
1st Charitable Challenge: Banking Blood for the Bank

Perth: 31st Dec - 4th Jan
2nd Charitable Challenge: Slapping Skin on Cottesloe Beach

Darwin: 9th Jan - 12th Jan
Take pic with a Tralwer Captain down at the Docks

Townsville: 15th - 17th Jan
Celebrate that your back on the East Coast - Party time

Brisbane: 18th - 20th Jan
3rd Charitable Challenge: Serving Soup at the Shelter

Sydney: 22nd Jan
Home - Winning team does a Bridge Climb

To Assist Teams during the event they will be given:

Teams can spend a maximum of $20 on food that they can carry in their back pack before leaving.
A 2000km Greyhound bus pass – they can use it anywhere at any time
2 nights’ accommodation in any YHA they choose along the way.

The time frame set is challenging but realistic. It will ensure teams are constantly on the move for the entire 28 days as they will need to cover over 20000km.

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Charitable Challenges

As well as taking the odd photo in each city teams must also complete “Charitable Challenges” along the way.

Charitable Challenges are tasks set by some of Australia’s leading organizations aimed at creating awareness and also providing a bit of fun for teams.

This year’s MatesRace will feature 3 challenges:

Adelaide: “Banking Blood” for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service

Teams have to head-hunt 3 “random” people off the street to register and give blood at the Blood Bank in Adelaide’s CBD. Once complete they can then move onto Perth

Perth: Slapping Skin for Skin Cancer

Teams will zink up 30 random faces to raise awareness for skin cancer

Brisbane: “Feed the homeless” for the Salvation Army

Teams have to spend a night feeding the homeless at the Salvations Army
shelter in Spring Hill. Depending on their time of arrival teams will be put to work either serving meals in the morning or night, or working on the shelter during the day by painting / landscaping (whatever needs to be done really). Once teams complete this task they can then begin the final homeward stretch to Sydney.

The Rules

The rules are aimed at creating a safe, challenging and fun event for participants.

Teams:

cannot take or start the race with any money
can work, busk and beg for money during the event which they can spend on food, shelter and travel
must complete set tasks and Charitable Challenges along the way
must stick to designated Race Course and pass through all check points
can stay with friends and family along the way
must stay together at all times
must busk in at least 3 capital cities for minimum of one hour in each
cannot break any laws
can take one plan trip but cannot skip a check point
must check in with support crew 3 times per day and SMS vehicle registration details of any person they get a lift with
tell any person they get a lift with that they are sending their rego details back to HQ and have GPS trackers on them at all times