Arrival and logistics

Location:

All distances start from the Fox Creek Bike Park base camp (Upper Carpark Croft Road). This provides us with some shelter in the event of poor weather and is a fabulous facility for us to use. Please be respectful of mountain bike riders and stay clear of their run starts/trail heads in that area.

Parking and carpooling:

You are requested to carpool if possible. There's been significant rainfall this week, and we may enforce a strict full-car entrance rule into the Cudlee Creek Forest Reserve parking areas and redirect cars with vacant seats to the bottom car park. This includes entrants who are running late, so please allow plenty of time.

You can also go directly to the bottom car park and share a ride up to the start area. You can jump on our Facebook Lounge and shout out for a lift.

• Entrants MUST NOT park in the Fox Creek Bike Park upper car park on Croft Road.
• DO NOT PARK IN THE ANDERSON HILL WINERY AREAS and be mindful of parking on public roads in places that could cause traffic congestion.
• Full vehicles are to proceed directly to the entrance gate at the upper car park on Croft Road where we will admit you to the reserve.
• Vehicles with vacant seats should go directly to the Fox Creek Bike Park lower car park on Fox Creek Road and either park OR pick up other runners requiring transport, before returning to the upper car park with a full vehicle.
• If you bring runners to the top car park, please try to return the same number of runners to the lower car park after the race. We will help you with this.

Coming solo? Don’t worry — many others will be in the same boat, and runners are a friendly bunch. You may even make some new friends!

Our friendly volunteer marshals will be on hand to help facilitate the carparking process.

Please follow their instructions and keep in mind that they have offered their time to help our event, so make them feel the love out there.

Volunteers will be emailed separate parking arrangements.

Key event timing:

Race bibs:

Check the entry list here to make sure you are entered in the correct event and start time. If it is wrong, please see the Registration Manager on the day at least 20 mins before start time.

We have a self-service bib pick-up system:

1. Check your bib number from either the link below (normally live Friday pm before the event) or on the boards near the registration area. HINT: take a photo if you aren’t great at remembering numbers or are collecting multiple bibs.

2. Enter the correct bib line (short, medium or long).

3. Get your bib from the baskets (self-service).

4. If you can’t find your bib, then ask the rego team for help.

Allow at least 30 minutes prior to start time.

Your bib must be worn in front of you at around waist height. It should be visible at all times and unobstructed as you travel over the start, finish and timing points to ensure accurate timing.

HINT: Don’t cover your bib with your hands as you race to check your watch the moment you cross the finish line!

Bag drop:

You may leave your personal bags at our bag drop area at your own risk. We do not supervise bags.

The course

Routes and maps:

Long course

Medium course

Short course

Marking:

The courses will be well marked, but you should download the GPX files above.

Markings to look out for:

• Red arrows are used to indicate a turn or reinforce the course direction.
• Red-and-white ribbons 200-400m apart confirm that you’re on the right track.
• Wrong way signs where needed.
• There are various locations where courses converge or diverge.

Aid stations:

Water and lollies will be at all drink stations.

Cut-off times and pace:

Course closes at 11.30 am. Entrants who finish after this time will receive a Did Not Finish (DNF).

MEDIUM & LONG course runners must reach the Mt Misery divergence by 10.30 am.

LONG course runners must reach the Long Loop divergence by 10.50 am.

• Long course runners: 10.00 mins/km
• Medium course runners: 13.40 mins/km
• Short course runners/walkers: 21.00 mins/km

Sweepers:

Sweepers will start each event 5 minutes behind the official start time. They will aim to finish the course at the cut-off time or befind the last competitor (whichever is earlier).

Sweepers are an important safety measure to ensure that all entrants are accounted for. They can also provide limited assistance* and advice to runners on the course.

* Sweepers are instructed to contact the safety phone if they encounter anyone in distress.

Toilets:

There are no toilets on the course. There will be portaloos along the fenceline adjacent to our race hub area and two permanent toilets in the same area.

Safety and rules

** Mandatory gear:

Hydration vessel – we are a cup-free event. You MUST carry your own drinking flask or cup.

Mobile phone – please carry a phone. Our emergency number 0491 017 636 is on the back of your race bib.

Emergency Plus app – you are requested to download the Emergency Plus app onto your mobile phone. This app will dial 000 for you at the tap of a button and provide you with a GPS location and address to give the operator.

Highly recommended gear:

• Basic first aid supplies eg thermal blanket, elastic bandage, band aids/blister pack.
• Appropriate layers and/or a rain jacket (depending on weather forecast).

Emergency details on the back of your bib:

If you’ve entered after the “name on bib” cut-off date and your name does not appear on your bib, please use the textas provided at the registration area to clearly write your name and your emergency contact person's phone number on the back of your bib. This is for YOUR safety and could be very important in the event of a medical emergency.

Withdrawals on course:

If you make the tough decision to pull out during your run, you MUST inform us immediately by calling or texting the safety phone number on the back of your bib. You must do this – lost competitors will result in us enacting our search and rescue protocols.

Directions to leave the course:

If you fall behind cut-off or a race official believes that you should not continue for another reason, we will direct you to leave the course. If you ignore our request and choose to continue running, you do so entirely at your own risk.

Helping injured or ill runners:

Mt Misery has some areas of poor phone reception and areas that are difficult to access by vehicle. If you come across a person who needs help, please stop and assist them.

For urgent medical assistance:

1. dial 000 (or use the Emergency Plus app).
2. then call the safety number on the back of your bib.

For non-urgent medical assistance, call the safety number on the back of your bib, approach the nearest drink station or inform a race marshal.

If you can’t get phone reception, you may need to send another runner to higher ground.

There are first aid kits at all drink stations.

** Insurance:

A reminder that your entry fees do not cover your personal insurance. It is up to you to ensure that you have adequate insurance in place should you suffer a medical episode or emergency.

Clean footwear:

Your clean shoes are part of our obligation to help stop the spread of weeds in bushland, so please make sure they are soil and debris-free before you arrive at the event. Please also walk through the foot baths near the start line.

After your race

Results and presentations:

Your results are available immediately after you complete your race. Check out the live scoring.

Presentations are normally held at 11:00 am, although they may be brought forward.

Random draw:

Who doesn’t love winning prizes? Our supporters have generously donated some fantastic trail running gear and vouchers for the TRSA Members’ random prize draw which will follow the presentations.

You must be present at the random draw or still on course to claim your prize.

If you’ve forgotten to sign up for membership this year, make sure you get onto it now.

Refreshments:

After crossing the finishing line, hang around and enjoy the post-race refreshments (brownies YEESSS!) We’ll provide the usual assortment plus you can purchase hot food and recovery drinks from Nomad Runner Snack and hot drinks and snacks from The Coffee Run.

Photos and video:

Photos and video will be uploaded to our Facebook page, normally within two days of our events (and often much sooner).

View event photos.

Protests and results queries:

• Provisional results: Results are posted live. Please check your time as soon as you finish.
• How to protest: Any protests regarding the results or a breach of race rules should be made to the event Referee at the registration tent before the presentations. Please bring your watch/phone with your Strava or equivalent data.
• Time limit: Results are considered final by 5:00 pm Wednesday after the event. All queries should be submitted before this time. Please complete and submit the Protest/Query Form.

Thank you and wrap-up

Volunteers:

This race is made possible by a team of around 40 volunteers who have given up their morning to support your journey. They are marshalling junctions, handing out water, wrangling race logistics and cheering you on.

• Be Kind: A “thank you” as you run past goes a long way.

• Respect: Please follow all instructions given by our marshals—they are there for your safety and to ensure the race runs smoothly.

Meet the team:

Good luck!

Wishing you all the best for a memorable and successful race day. Remember, they're only hills!

Lace up your shoes, set your sights on the finish line, and let the journey begin!

Best regards, TRSA Committee

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