Enjoy a different day out in the country and run or walk the trails beside Lake Manchester. There are two options: an easy 7km run or walk beside the lake, or 21km adding upper Cabbage Tree Creek and hills. All runs are on well-marked earth forestry trails.

2009 entries now open - pictures of the now-full lake and new rivers here

How to Enter:
Online entry  by credit card - link here
Join TRAQ first to get a discount - link here 
Postal entry  send entry form and cheque
Entry closes Wed 17 June 5pm
Pre-entry only due to field limit of 200
 
Please arrive early to allow time to check in and collect your race number.

Cost  $10 for 7km, $20 for 21km (less 10% discount TRAQ members)

Where:
From Brisbane take the Western Freeway from Mt Cootha, turn off onto Moggill Road then Mount Crosby Road, continuing to the t-intersection with Lake Manchester Road. Turn right onto Lake Manchester Road for 10km. Drive carefully on the last 3km of unsealed road.

Drive time to allow for:
35 minutes from Mt Cootha/Western Freeway in light traffic. Allow more for later fun run/walk start. Allow time for registration, race number collection and getting ready.
IMPORTANT – if you’re running late:
Don’t rush on that last 3km of dirt road, we don’t want any accidents. We can give you a start time ten minutes after the official start if you’re late.

Registration:  At the Registration shelter for check-in and race number collection
Start:  At the park gate, top of hill.

When:
Briefings:  7.50am for 21km, 8.25am for 7km, at the park gate
Start times:   8.00 for 21km, 8.30 for the 7km events
Spot prizes:  Drawn after last race start. Collect any time after 11.00am from Registration Shelter.
Presentation: 10.30 am
Place prizes:  Trophies and Lake Manchester engraved glasses will be given to the first man and first woman over the 21km distance, sets of glasses to first man/woman over 7km courses are intended as fun runs, with remaining funds and sponsorship used for spot prizes.

Course Descriptions:
7km trail walk/fun run:
Stay on the trail inside the coloured tape for 300m alongside Lake Manchester Road, through gate and follow lake-edge trail north, turn left at large signs down to lake, turn round at lake viewpoint and return on same route.
21.0km trail run:
Stay on the trail inside the coloured tape for 300m alongside Lake Manchester Road, through gate and follow lake-edge trail northward. Turn right when directed by marshal at second drink stop as you near the larger hills, then via cabbage tree creek and climb 150m to third drink stop, return round the front of the hill at lake’s head and back up the eastern shore of lake again to the start/finish.

Course marking:
The trails used are generally well-maintained and clear. On the long course there are a some intersections. The main junctions will have marshals and drink stops. Unmanned intersections will have signs showing the correct trail. As a backup there will be dolomite arrows on the ground and white tape hanging from trees at 50m and 100m past these intersections. If you’re not sure at any track junction, you don’t see any tape after you turn, and you don’t see any runners or even footprints of runners, you have probably made a mistake! Stop, think and go back. It is always a good idea with trail runs to have a good look at the course map before the start.

Download Maps:
Courses Here
Roads to Lake Manchester (back of entry form) Directions

Drive time to allow for:
35 minutes from Mt Cootha/Western Freeway in light traffic. Allow more for later fun run/walk start. Allow time for registration, race number collection and getting ready.

Car parking:
Turn right through the park gates, watching out for runners with earlier starts. At the bottom of hill turn left and follow signs to park in the flat grassed area to the left and right of the Registration shelter.

First Aid:
First aid kits, advice and ice are available at finish. If you need help on the course speak to the marshals at drink stops; they also have a first aid kit. Transport back to the start can be arranged if needed.

Water/refreshments:
Aid stations table with water and energy drinks are provided at roughly 5km intervals. For the longer two courses, we recommend you carry some fluids with you if the weather is hot. While there are sufficient drink stations for experienced runners who know their hydration requirements, it is easier on your body if you drink small amounts as you feel thirsty. A glass of hydration mix eg Endura or water one hour before starting is also helpful.

Weather:
Tree cover provides a reasonable amount of shade over much of the course but it is likely to be sunny and you may wish to bring a cap and/or sunscreen. 

Brisbane Forest Park:
Brisbane Forest Park contains a mix of open eucalypt woodlands, scribbly gum forests and lush subtropical rainforests. More than 800 species of plants are found in these forests, some of which are rare and threatened. The cool mountain tops and forest flats of Brisbane Forest Park provide a rich and varied habitat for wildlife. The cooler mountain climate is ideal for plant species such as ferns and mosses. Giant barred frogs (endangered) inhabit the cool mountain streams while yellow-bellied gliders are active in the open forest at night. Owls also live here and catch prey such as possums and snakes. The park provides excellent birdwatching opportunities and bell miners are often be heard throughout the forest.

Lake Manchester Dam:
Lake Manchester is built on Cabbage Tree Creek not far above where it joins with the Brisbane River. Construction of the Lake Manchester Dam commenced in 1912 and was competed in 1916. It was originally called Cabbage Tree Creek Dam. It was renamed in December 1916 when the new dam was names after Mr E.J. Manchester, president of the Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board. In 1913 a water reserve was proclaimed restricting access to the Lake Manchester Catchment Area. This prevented the grazing of animals and the felling of trees. This restriction was observed, except for a time in the1930s, when limited logging took place.

Non-runners/walkers:
Works to the Lake Manchester dam wall are now completed, but access to the dam which provides the closest lake viewpoint is still closed off.  There is a short walk down to the stream flowing below the picnic area, a very steep temporary trail up the hill beyond (not recommended), or you can follow the runners’ course for 1km to get good views up the lake. Latest word is that access to walk up past the dam wall will eventually be restored. There are also plenty of shade trees close to the car parking and toilet block.

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

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