The annual Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne Event has attracted some 700 teams of four walk or run 100km in Australian bush in a bid to raise $3 million for international aid agency Oxfam Australia's work to help people in poverty. The event is described as one of the most gruelling charity endurance challenges.

The teams will set off on Friday April 1 at 7am, 8:30am and 10am and have 48 hours to complete the 100km trail.

Over 7000 people are involved in Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2011. Among the 2800 walkers are:

Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Industry Tim Holding MP who is walking with Team Holding. Inspirational Peter Edwards is visually-impaired and will be walking with his guide dog Barry and his team the Young Visionaries.

Andrew Hewett, Executive Director of Oxfam, will be walking the trail for the first time with his team Old Fames 1.

Team Tigers who have collectively over the years raised $200,000 for Oxfam Trailwalker. Team member Ben Phillips who plays for the Australian Blind Cricket team has the added challenge of walking the event blind. The oldest participant Ian Bell aged 75 who is walking with his team Park Vic Mascots. Police Constables Sarah Bartorelli and Sergeant Sharon Matheson from the LaTrobe area who are walking with their team Whoops A Daisy.

900 volunteers will work in roles such as podiatrists, physiotherapists, massage therapists, trail marshals, parking marshals, drivers and a "sweep team" to clean up after the teams.

Another 3500 people will lose sleep over the weekend to act as a lifeline to each team, providing them with food, band aids, hugs, clean socks - anything they need to keep walking.

Teams will start at Jells Park, Wheelers Hill and will walk through the trail pictured, finishing at Wesburn Park, in the Yarra Valley.