Reminder>>> Entries close Friday 9th January 10am 

Start your 2009 trail running season with a pleasant drive in the country, a run through the forest, a swim in the pool and a post race BBQ, brought to you by TRAQ and Brisbane’s specialist running store Active Stride.

The 3nd Annual Hares & Hounds Trail Run offers yet another new choice in 2009. Come along for the 5km or 10km fun run, or form a team of two or four hounds and try to chase down the solo runners (hares) on a 55km adventure to Beerburrum and back. All courses will be clearly marked with dolomite arrows and white flagging tape. Checkpoints will have water, electrolyte drinks and sweets for all runners (and fruit and coke for hares).
Venue: Woodford Pool, Peterson Rd, Woodford - pool access included in entry.

Event information and entry: www.runtrails.org/articles

Many will have seen the sensationalist TV coverage. Here is the true story as it unfolded, from the daily web statements of the organiser. There are some important issues discussed in relation to self-reliance and safety. It would be great to see an event of this type in Australia – compared to adventure races, which seem to enjoy hyping risky behaviours like sleep deprivation, mountain marathons have their roots in the UK fell and mountain racing scene, with a strong emphasis on self-responsibility and demonstrated experience before entry.

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The thought-provoking article below appeared in “The Age” newspaper. It is reproduced here to encourage reflection on the challenges facing running in Australia, where media coverage is overwhelmingly oriented to spectators and sponsored sports, not participation. Athletics may never be a media star again, but Athletics Australia have a key role in our running culture. Despite the lack of profile, running remains one of the largest contributors to lifelong sporting participation and healthier lives.

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The Stromlo Running Festival is a new event that will take place in Canberra on the 27th February – 1st March 2009. On-site camping and caravan facilities will provide an opportunity for participants to submerse themselves in weekend crammed full of running, seminars, presentations, entertainment, socialising, and great food and drink. Organised by Run For Your Life in conjunction with Robert de Castella and the ACT Cross Country Club, the weekend promises to be a huge success, even in its first year.

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Peerless Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie defied a serious case of jetlag to claim a commanding victory in the inaugural Great Australian Run on Sunday. The two-time Olympic 10,000m champion and reigning marathon world record holder arrived in Melbourne from Addis Ababa on Friday morning and woke with a headache after only managing a couple of hours’ sleep before the 15km road race.

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