About TRAQ
Out of 2006’s conversations about all the great places we could be running – if only there were more events – we decided to do something about it. The Trail Running Association of Queensland was born, followed by this website.
We’ve still working to gain access to more quality trails. So far our program has included new trail runs at Woodford, Wild Horse Mountain, Lake Manchester, Mount Glorious and Dayboro-Woodford. We’re working on others – including Mapleton Great Walk, Toowoomba Range, Fraser Island and Rainbow Beach – and we’ll announce these as we get permit approvals.
The Runtrails.org website holds a wide range of trails information, and anyone entering an event will go on the e-mailing list for the monthly newsletter. In the long run what we can deliver is up to you. The more people that join and help out, the more events we can offer.
Why TRAQ?
Some people asked us why we need a trail-running association when we already have an ultra-running association, a mountain-running association, and the CoolRunning website and calendar. Good question! The short answer is there just aren’t enough trail events, and an organisation gives us a base to make things happen – to draw in new volunteers, to plan new events, to turn talk into reality.
What makes trail running different to other, more established branches of running? First we want to organise runs on the best off-road trails we can. We’re less concerned with really challenging up and down gradients, or really long races, more on the lookout for quality trail experiences.
Permits for good trails have been hard to get in recent years, so we need to put in a lot of work with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to convince them runners and walkers can co-exist.
We also want to provide introductory runs to draw in new runners, and walking options where possible. Off-road running is growing in popularity with good reason. Its great to leave our busy working lives behind, get out of the city and into nature. There’s more to life than all those fun runs on hard roads and concrete footpaths.
TRAQ Aims:
To promote trail running, support trail runners and trail events;
To promote active use of Queensland’s trails and natural evironment;
To coordinate a state-wide trail running series and calendar which complements existing races and provides events throughout the year;
To pursue improved arrangements for approving access to quality trails for events;
To arrange overall trailrunning sponsorship and support sponsorship for individual events;
To create and maintain a website which supports the association’s objectives above.
9 Comments so far
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Hi there,
Great website…
Does anybody know of any good trails round the Sunshine Coast? Im based in Mooloolaba and looking to join some keen runners. Im new to the sport but very excited to start.
Cheers
Keith
There are a number of recently developed mixed-use trails I haven’t explored myself in the Sun Coast hinterland, as well as the obvious Parks locations lke Noosa, and the Mapleton and Conondale Great Walks.
Hi guys,
there is the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, a multi-use rail trail for bushwalkers, mountain bike riders and horse riders in the Brisbane Valley (approx. 2 hours drive of Brisbane). Two sections – 70 and 30 kilometres – have recently been completed and it’s quite a scencic landscape and perfect for a day or multi-day trip. Once fully completed in 2012, it’ll be a 148 kilometre long rail trail from Wulkuraka to Blackbutt. Have a look at http://www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.org.au for more information.
Hi guys
I am looking for some trails around Gold Coast, I know of some in Nerang State Forest, are there some groups that run there on a regular basis. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks
Hey there,
any ideas on clubs or good trails in the South Burnett region (Kingaroy and surrounds)
Cheers
Bunya Mts is the obvious one, top trails there, plus the rail trail and forestry trails around Blackbutt/Linville. There are some local Kingaroy runners who came to our social/running weekend at Bunya Mts last year, and we may do that again in 2011.
Hey Guys
Any new word on the Mount Mee/Dayboro run as yet?
Cheers
Hey there,
I’ve recently relocated to Brisbane from abroad (staying in Redland Bay at the moment) and would welcome some pointers on good trails in the area as well as any Running Clubs please.
Many thanks!
I’ve added you to the bi-monthly newsletter, which includes a local run group down your way. There are a number of Southside bush areas including Daisy Hill and Venmans which you can find on the web too. Cheers