There will be at least 75 places in 2010 (permit details still pending), so hopefully we won’t have to turn people away this year. Course will be the same as 2009 (unless the parks service has a change of heart and approves access all the way to Mt Glorious this year). See maps and race information below.

This is a run for seriously fit runners, with 1,500m of climb over 32km! The course starts at Cedar Flats picnic area, 10 minutes north of Wivenhoe Lookout on Northbrook Parkway, following rarely used firebreaks and forest maintenance roads to Northbrook Mountain.

Entry closed 5pm Wed 3 February

Note: If you plan to be a TRAQ member in 2010, select the discounted entry; the option to join follows after online entry
Updates: see infosheet link below for vital information like start time 7.00am

For anyone who finds they’ve bitten off a bit much you can choose a shortcut at the halfway, where you walk directly back to the start via a scenie firebreak/trail, but the main event remains the full 32km due to popular demand!

For any waiting partners/friends our start area is a very attractive picnic areas, plus there are a lot of short walks and the excellent Maiala Cafe at Mount Glorious. Those who’d like a longer walk down can follow Lawnton forestry road down to the half-way checkpoint near Northbrook Mountain top (note: the run does not include the narrow trail to Northbrook Mountain peak)

pic: the trail up to Northbrook Mountain

pic: views to the north

pic: flowering climber on rock outcrop at the top

Just driving to Cedar Flats is a great tour through rainforest along the main range from Mount Glorious towards Lake Wivenhoe. With open grassy areas, Cedar Flats is an ideal place for a picnic or barbecue, or just to enjoy the quiet scenery if you’re not running. There are toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues and water (boil before drinking). Its about about 70 minutes from Brisbane city via Samford. 

Download Maps:
Course 32km to Northbrook Mountain including checkpoints: Course
Course profile (out and back course): Profile
Information sheet: Info4entrants (to be updated 4 Jan)
How to get there: Brisbane Forest Park map

Start time:
6.50 a.m. briefing, 7.00 start. Allow 70 minutes from central Brisbane via Samford and Mount Glorious.

Car parking:
On the left at the bottom of the big descent from the Lake Wivenhoe lookout, park in the signed paddock on the left after the bridge, then walk across to the start at the first Cedar Flats picnic area (White Cedar). Toilet/BBQ facilities available.

Water/refreshments:
If its a hot day you might like to carry extra water, electrolyte or gels. You will pass through four checkpoints (see Map) with water/sports drinks (two visited twice) plus water/sports drink/fruit/snacks at the highest point. At the finish there will be breakfast cerial, fruit, cake, water, sports drink, coffee.

So how tough is tough?
The first runners will finish in about 3 hours, which is under 6 minutes per km, don’t ask me how. Just under 4 hours is more typical, which is about 7.5 min/km, which gives you some idea how steep it is. If you are out there for the training and 2 hours is enough, there is a shortcut back from near the half-way turnaround.

Walkers note:
Walkers are always welcome at TRAQ events, but we can’t ask our checkpoint volunteers to be out there all day. If you wish to walk the course you must advise the organisers at registration, and you need to be self-supporting. The course markings will remain in place until all entrants are home.

Weather:
The course is on the western side of the ridge, plus tree cover provides a reasonable amount of shade over much of the course, but it is likely to be warm and sunny in February. A cap and/or sunscreen is recommended.

Nearby walks for partners and before/after:
There are no short walking tracks at Cedar Flats, but there are plenty of places nearby. You can also duck back to the excellent cafe at Mt Glorious for a coffee and breakfast treats and/or the equally excellent trails from Maiala carpark; the really adventurous can follow the rough trail up the dramatic Northbrook Gorge, including a cool swim if you want to get through the steeper sections.

Keen walkers can also follow Lawnton Road for the shorter route down to Northbrook Mountain (5.5km return) but its a stiff 250m climb on the return journey.

Contact for inquiries:
Phone Greg 3869 1661 email info@runtrails.org

Trail Running Association of Queensland (organisers) Website:
www.runtrails.org