Looking at recent posts here, you could be forgiven for thinking that trail running was only for fanatics who train 100k+ per week. Not so! TRAQ has several short(ish) runs coming which are just right for the average runner. First up is the 12k option at Glasshouse next Saturday 9th, on a mainly flat course. On the 13-14 October is the wonderful Lamington Classic www.rcrunners.com/binnaburra.html - admittedly not short at 22km but the Border Track has only steady rises rather than steep hills; these rainforest trails are outstanding (one way/one day or return/two day options).

And on 4th November we have a brand new event on the trails at Mapleton, one hour north of Brisbane. The shorter 6k option is an easy course taking in some nice forest in Delicia Conservation Park, and at least half the 12k option is flat! We are still waiting on the permit decision to confirm if we will be allowed to run a third 35km course on the outstanding northern loop of the Great Walk. This will be a classic long trail race with varied terrain, great views and a real test of endurance.

Another big race over the weekend - local team Sydney Striders Foreign Legion, comprising Richard Green, Jaap Baker, Joel Mackay and Jonathan Worswick, took line honours at the Sydney Oxfam Trailwalker on Friday night crossing the line at 7.56 pm after twelve hours and fifty-six minutes. This is the Striders second Oxfam Trailwalker victory, winning the 2006 Melbourne Oxfam Trailwalker in a time of 11 hours and 40 minutes.

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The Ultra Tour de Mont Blanc started on the 24th August at 6:30pm (2:30am Sydney time) in Chamonix. The race has a a field limit of 3500 over their 2 races (83km and 165km) which fills up well before the event. Look at the pics and the race profile to see why…

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Who’s running at the Glasshouse 100 events this year? Check out the forum on Coolrunning: http://www.coolrunning.com.au/forums/ 
Entry and race details: http://www.runtrails.org 
Postal entries close 4 September, late fee for entries after this or on the day.

Pic: Justin Hunter on his way to a fast time and a win in the 50k at the last Glasshouse event, the Flinders Tour in July.

Yes it can be done! And so it was, over 7 hours Read more

A few of these events have been popping up, and its an interesting concept. Rather than flogging yourself over say 24 hours for a rogaine, or 100 miles for an ultra, you could run a series of trails in a nice location over multiple days. An opportunity to both know the area better and meet your fellow runners too. Below is a story from one such run in South Africa, as well as links to another African multi-day bike race, and a new American multi-day trail race. Read more

An outstanding trail run and a great place for a long weekend holiday - note that entries are at organisers discretion after August 24th; there were 74 online entries listed on the website today, so presumably about 100 out of 150 places filled already with postal entries added. Get in now if you’re planning to attend. Read more

The Dayboro to Woodford Relay is on again on Saturday 25 August 2007 with both trail and road sections. This is a fantastic event where you run your best as part of a team. It’s a great day out, plenty of laughs, good food, fun for spectators and heaps of excitement. Don’t miss it - entries close Tuesday 21 August. Links: event information and supporting maps  and entry form. 

Having just come back from Fraser, I’m going to be bold and assert these are the most enjoyable trails to run anywhere in Queensland! The bad news, we’re not sure we can get a permit to run a race there.   Read more

The venerable superstar of ultrarunning recently confimed his status with a superlative performance at the Hardrock 100 mile (in record time no less). The seven time Western States winner, reigning Spartathalon champion and Badrock legend answers a few questions from runtrails.org Read more