Lithgow Ridgy-Didge Trail Run Festival 2024

A trail running race at Hassans Walls Reserve had been on the minds of runners over the years as they explored the ridges on Hassans Walls above Lithgow. Blue Mountains Fitness proudly got the first trail run race on Hassans Walls in 2022, improved it in 2023 and we now have the 2024 Lithgow Ridgy-Didge Trail Festival ready to rock!

We have multiple distance options to choose from - 7km, 13km, 22km, 30km, Marathon and the totally awesome 50km. There will be the fun 1km Kids race for those under 12. The 50km and Marathon take on the thirteen ridges of Hassans Walls with varying elevation gain/loss, accumulating over 2500 metres on dirt roads, 4WD trails, walking trails and mountain bike single tracks. The other distances will be shorter and have less elevation gain/loss. You’ll run past many lookouts that give spectacular views of the Lithgow, Hartley, Megalong and Kanimbla Valleys. All finishers will receive the awesome Ridgy-Didge medal.

Tailwind Nutrition Australia is the supplier of the on-course race fuel and Tailwind Rebuild Recovery Area.

There will be free massage in the recovery area at the Tailwind Recovery Mix Marquee.

Recovery2U will be at the event with their ice baths, massage tools and recovery area.

T8, BMF and Tailwind Nutrition Australia will also be at the event and provide sponsor prizes. Blue Mountains Fitness will also have their range T8 trail run gear at the Event Hub.

Start/Finish Location:

Lithgow Pony Club, Sheedy's Gully, Willowbank Avenue, Lithgow, NSW

Schedule of events:

Friday, April 5th

Friday check in/registration/gear check from 5pm to 9pm at Lithgow Workies Club, 3-7 Tank Street.

Transfers, Late Entries and Race Check-in will be available. Mandatory Gear checks will also be available. You will be issued with a Mandatory Gear token with your race number on it.

There will be Ridgy-Didge merchandise available for purchase and Recovery 2U will also be at check in.

The Workies has great meals and drinks pre and post race. There is also a Motel at the Workies - https://www.workies.com.au/stay

Saturday, April 6th

Please arrive at least 60 minutes before your scheduled race start time so you can check in or do any late registrations or late transfers. A $25 fee will be required for late transfers.

• 6:00 am - 11:00 am: Check in/registration for all races at The Pony Club

Please be ready for your race at least 30 minutes before your scheduled race start time. This means that you have checked in, late registered or late transferred, picked up your merchandise, event bag and got your mandatory gear check completed.

Race briefs

Race briefings will begin 15 minutes prior to race start times.

• 7:00 am: Tailwind Nutrition Australia 50km Ultramarathon start (18 and over)
• 8:00 am: Blue Mountains Running Company Marathon 42.2km (18 and over)
• 9:00 am: Lithgow Workies 30km (18 and over)
• 9:30 am: Elevate Medical Hub 22km (16 and over)
• 10:15 am: T8 Run Gear 13km (12 and over)
• 11:00 am: Black Gold 7km (12 and over can run solo, 8-11 year old children can run if accompanied by an adult)
• 1:15 pm: Thrive Nutrition Kids Race 1.6km (under 12s) - Free Entry
• 1:30 pm: Presentations (The presentation timing of each race may vary if all prize winners are finished the event)
• 1pm to 6pm - Entertainment TBC

Cut-off for for all races is 7:00 pm - 12 hours for 50km, 11 hours for Marathon, 10 hours for 30km, 9 hours for 22km.

All runners passing the 40K mark (CP13) after 4.30pm are required to have a headlamp and spare back-up headlamp (which can be put in a drop bag at check in for transfer and collection at CP13). If you think you may be finishing in 11-12 hours then please consider using this drop bag service.

Runners without headlamps arriving at, or leaving CP13 after 4.30pm will be marked DNF for their event and directed to the finish line.

Drop Bags

Drop bags are available to be left for transportation to one of two drop bag locations on course. Drop Bags will only be transferred to CP13 and CP 2. You will drop them at the Event Hub Drop Bag tent on race day and we will transport them to your checkpoint of choice. Please write your name, Bib Number and Checkpoint choice on the bags. The event crew will collect the bags and transport them back to the event hub. If you think you need headlights then you can send them in a drop bag to CP13. All drop bags will be returned to the event hub after the last runner has gone through that checkpoint.

Pre and Post Race Luggage Area

There will be a marquee allocated for you to leave bags for pre and post race. The car parking is only 100m away maximum so please use your cars as a luggage storage area if possible. The marquee luggage area is primarily set up for walk ins.

Prizes

There will be Overall Male and Female Winner trophies in the 50km Ultra, Marathon, 30km, 22km, 13km and 7km.

Sponsor prizes for 2nd and 3rd.

There will also be many Lucky Draw Prizes.

All finishers will get a medal.

Catering

There will be catering at the event hub with food and coffee available. The Pony Club will be providing plenty of catering choices. There will be the Mins Brew Coffee Cart at the event.

Accommodation

We will advertise local accommodation options on the Blue Mountains Fitness website and Facebook Page and via emails to Registered Runners.

A good place to start searching for accommodation is the Lithgow Visitor Centre - https://tourism.lithgow.com/

Black Gold Motel and Cabins at Wallerawang is a great place to stay. Lithgow Workies has a motel and is also a great place to stay.

Check in and Bib Collection

Friday from 5pm to 9pm - Lithgow Workies Club, 3-7 Tank Street, Lithgow.

Head to the Workies Club for check in and a pre event meal and drink. We'll have some Ridgy-Didge merchandise and mandatory gear items available for purchase.

OR

Saturday from 6am to 11am at the Race Event Hub, Lithgow Pony Club, Sheedy's Gully, Lithgow.

Camping

Camping will be available on site at The Pony Club right at the start/finish line. Drive in Sites will be non powered and sized to fit a maximum of 5 people and 2 vehicles. There will also be suitable sites for Caravans and Camper Trailers. Camping Bookings will be an Optional Extra in the Registration process. Cost will be $30 per site per night. Late check out Saturday (3pm) or Sunday (3pm) is available. There is power available on site for charging items. Drinking water is also available.

Event Pricing

Early Bird Pricing until December 31st 2023 - 50km - $170, Marathon - $150, 30km - $135, 22km - $100 adult and 16-17 yrs - $90, 13km - $60 adult - $60 and Under 18 - $50, 7km - $50 Adult and Under 18 - $35.

Standard Pricing until March 1st 2024- 50km - $180, Marathon - $160, 30km - $145, 22km - $115 adult and 16-17 yrs - $100, 13km - $65 adult and Under 18 - $55, 7km - $55 Adult and Under 18 - $40.

Late Entry fees online after March 1st 2024 or at event hub on race day - 50km - $195, Marathon - $170, 30km - $155, 22km - $130 adult and 16-17 yrs - $110, 13km - $80 adult and Under 18 - $65, 7km - $65 Adult and Under 18 - $50.

You may find these prices a little higher than last year but this year the event pays the event fees in accordance with a new ruling by the Federal Government. you will not get charged a processing fee in addition to your event fee.

Gift Vouchers

Buy your friends or family a cool gift voucher for a race entry!

Check out the link on the right hand side bar on the first rego page.

Tailwind Recovery Marquee

The Tailwind Recovery Marquee will have free Tailwind Recovery Mix, Water and the awesome TAFE students providing free massage.

Entertainment

We are planning on providing entertainment in the form of music and a bar on the Saturday evening to make a weekend of it. Camp and party at the Pony Club event hub! Stay tuned for more info on this.

Merchandise

Merchandise will be available as an optional extra to your registration or purchase on the day at the Event Hub. We will have buffs, hoodies, performance run T shirts, singlets and caps.

Trail Gaitors will be at the Event Hub on Saturday. If you want to order some Trail Gaiters use the code RIDGY-DIDGE10 - check out - https://www.trailgaiters.com.au/

Mandatory Gear

All Events - Raincoat, Long Sleeve Thermal, Buff or Beanie or Cap, 500ml fluid capacity, Whistle, Mobile Phone, Survival Blanket, Snake Bandage.

Fully enclosed shoes are mandatory.

We may make the call on the shorter events (7km and 13km) to drop the requirement of the raincoat and thermal on the day. We will not drop the Mandatory Gear requirements for the Marathon, 30km or Half Marathon.

There were a few penalties and disqualifications in 2023 due to missing items or no gear at all! We are serious about mandatory gear. The weather can change quickly in this area and if you get injured, lost or cold you may need the gear.

Aid Stations

There will be three major Aid Stations on course, CP6, CP7 and CP13, two of these you will visit twice. Tailwind Endurance Fuel, Water, Lollies, Chips will be available.

Drop Bags will also be available for 50km, Marathon and 30km runners - We will transport the bags out on the course for you. See drop bag section of these instructions.

Walking Poles

We allow walking poles to be used on course. Please be very careful on course when using the poles.

Headphones/Earphones

We allow headphones and earphones on course. Please do not use them for the first climb up to Pony Express from the start to CP1. Please use one earphone when approaching marshals, check points or when it is busy on your trails so you can hear any communications.

Transfers, Cancellations, Event Changes

• The Transfer between race distances or to another runner can be done online in the Race Roster portal. There is a transfer fee of $25 plus any Race Roster processing fees - usually around $5 to $7. We can assist in the transfer process. The new runner will get a 'transfer request' email to accept the entry and pay the transfer /processing fees.
• The transfer fee to another person of $25 can be done on the day or at check in Friday Night but preferably done in advance. The new entrant pays the $25 transfer fee.
• To transfer to a greater distance event the fee is the difference between the race fees.
• Products purchased in advance of the event can be transferred to the new entrant, be picked up on the day or posted out to the original entrant for a fee of $10 - please email us if you wish to get the original product purchases sent out to you.
• Last date for cancellation refunds of 50% is 4 weeks out from the event which is Friday 8th March 2024.

COVID/Bushfire/ Weather/Course Closure Impacted events:

We operate along the guidelines outlined by the ACCC with regard to cancellation, postponement and subsequent rescheduling of events.

• In the event of a COVID lockdown, bushfire incident, course closure by land managers, inclement weather or a 'weather event' impacting any aspect of any of our events, we operate in consultation and within conditions of permits and permissions applied by our stakeholders
• Safety of participants and event crew is paramount. We have submitted a Risk Management Plan and an Emergency Incident Plan for each event as part of our approval process.
• Should an event be cancelled, participants will be issued with a credit of their entry value for any other event or transfer to the same event the following year.
• In the event of postponement and/or rescheduling, participants have the option of attending the rescheduled event or can be issued with a credit equal to their current entry value for any other BMF event (Ridgy-Didge/Blue Goat/Glow Worm Tunnel) or transfer to the same event the following year.
• If the event is cancelled once it has began due to any of the above incidents there will be no refunds or credits. BMF may issue a credit or discount code towards a new race entry.

If you have any problems with the registration process, please email info@bluemountainsfitness.com.au or call 0402 925 608 and we'll do our best to get you through it.