Patagonia: “Don’t lock the public out of public lands”

Statement to Tasmanian Times – Patagonia, 16 February 2021

Next month’s takayna Trail ultramarathon under threat – “Don’t lock the public out of public lands”

You may have seen our film ‘takayna’ (2018), or followed the unique running event, the takayna Ultra in recent years…

The 2021 edition of this ultramarathon is under threat, with state forestry body Sustainable Timbers Tasmania banning access to the public land.

Due to be held on 19 March, takayna Trail 2021 has already had more than 110 professional and amateur athletes enter. It is both an important date in Australia’s running calendar and an event that brings considerable economic benefit to Tasmania’s North West.

Since 2015, Patagonia have supported the Bob Brown Foundation’s ongoing work to have takayna/Tarkine protected as a World Heritage listed National Park and returned to Aboriginal ownership – which is supported by more than 338,000 people from all around the world.

We partnered with the Foundation for successful takayna Ultra events in 2019 and 2020, and today join the call for access to these public lands to be upheld.

With Majell Backhausen, a Patagonia trail running ambassador, the newly appointed race director and an accessible 20km division being run alongside the ultra, this year’s race has been eagerly awaited by our running community.

A statement from Dane O’Shanassy, country director Patagonia Australia & New Zealand:

“Patagonia has been a long-time supporter of Bob Brown Foundation and their campaign for World Heritage protection of takayna / Tarkine. We’ve been working alongside the Foundation since the takayna ultramarathon’s beginning and are alarmed that a ban on access by state forestry body Sustainable Timbers Tasmania could jeopardise the 2021 event. We echo calls for site access to be upheld. This low impact, environmentally friendly event is a highlight of the nation’s running calendar and asset to Tasmania’s north-west. Patagonia Australia stands behind the Australian public’s right to access its public lands.”