Arrival and logistics

Location:

Craigburn Farm on Craigburn Road, Blackwood.

Parking and carpooling:

Sturt Gorge is in a built-up residential area, so please observe speed limits on your way past the Blackwood Football Club to the entrance gate on Craigburn Rd.

Continue driving along Craigburn Road as far as possible and follow the instructions of our volunteer car parking marshals who will park you along the roadside. Do not park until you receive instructions from the volunteer marshals - they are following a plan approved by Mitcham Council.

Once roadside parking is full, you will be diverted back to the Blackwood Football Club car park. This is approximately 800m from the start line.

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

There is strictly NO PARKING in the Concordia College/Church car park.

Key event timing:

Race bibs:

Check the entry list 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. Do not email or message us on Facebook.

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

1. Check your bib number here 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, long and extra 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 from 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).

• Long course runners: 9:52 mins/km
• Medium course runners: 12.13 mins/km
• Short course runners/walkers: 17.09 mins/km

Medium and long course runners MUST reach the Scout Hall by 10.30 am. Runners who arrive after this point will be cut off and requested not to continue.

Any runner who arrives at the finish line after 11.30 am will not receive a time and will be recorded as a DNF.

Toilets:

There are no toilets on the course. There will be portaloos near the start line.

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. It is critical that you do this – lost competitors will result in us enacting our search and rescue protocols.

We will try to transport you back to the start-line, but if this is not possible, you may need to organise your own transport from the course.

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:

Sturt Gorge has some areas of poor phone reception and areas that are difficult to access by vehicle. As a result, we have extra medics on course this year, and help, if needed, should arrive faster than in previous years. 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.

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 10:45 am. In the event of inclement weather, this 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, please support the club and 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 will be posted live here. 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. Lace up your shoes, set your sights on the finish line, and let the journey begin!

Best regards, TRSA Committee

​