Entries now closed – Entrants please note:
- start 8am 22km 8.30am 6k and allow time for registration, preparation & briefing
- entrance and parking is 300m past the Lake Manchester Reserve entrance this year
- real coffee will again be onsite this year
- also, fruit, cake/slice and hot dog included in your entry
- professional photos of you out on the course and/or certificates available to order (link will be emailed with results)
- 3 time runners collect their souvenir glass after the race

If the forecast on Saturday is for sunny we recommend you carry some water on the long course, although there are 5 water stops spaced on the long course. We also intend to go green next year and stop providing disposable cups, so we encourage runners to try carrying your own refillable container and/or water – its good practice for your training.

Final Infosheet: click here

Also for download, a beaut new map of the course adapted by the authors of the book “Where to Mountain Bike in SE Queensland” available at www.organisedgrime.com.au: click here

2011 changes: Field increased to 300, and courses will change to the more scenic west side of lake with long course still looping the hill at lake’s head.  Entries open now…

Enjoy a different day out in the country and run or walk the trails beside Lake Manchester, just west of Mount Crosby. There are two options: an easy 6km run or walk beside the lake, or 22km adding upper Cabbage Tree Creek, creek crossings and hills. All runs are on well-marked earth forestry trails.

Pictures of the lake and rivers from 2009 here

How to Enter:
Online entry (preferred ) by credit card - here
Join TRAQ first to get a discount – link here 
Postal entry  send postal form and cheque
Entries close Sunday 7 August at 5pm
Pre-entry only due to field limit of 300
 
Please arrive early to allow time to check in and collect your race number.

Cost  $10 for 7km, $25 for 22km (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:  Near the carparking on signed flat grasslands. When:
Briefings:  7.50am for 22km, 8.25am for 6km, at the park gate
Start times:   8.00 for 22km, 8.30 for the 6km events
Spot prizes:  Drawn after last race start. Collect any time after 10.30am from Registration Shelter.
Presentation: 10.30 am
Place prizes:  Trophies plus sets of Lake Manchester engraved glasses will be given to the first man and first woman over the 22km and 6km courses.
Course Descriptions:
6km trail walk/fun run:
Head up past the dam from the reserve, along west side of lake and turn right onto grassed track around headland, rejoin main track and return on same route.
22km trail run:
From the reserve, up past the dam and round left side of lake. Clockwise around the loop at far end of lake, right when directed by marshal at second drink stop as you near the larger hills, across four river crossings and return round  back up the western 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 with red arrows and striped emergency tape showing the correct trail. As a backup there will be dolomite arrows on the ground. If you’re not sure at any track junction, 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:
Roads to Lake Manchester: 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 0.5k after passing the park gates, watching out for runners with earlier starts.

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:
The best short walk is up beside the dam, where both courses go.

Contact for inquiries:
Phone Greg 3869 1661 email g_waite@optusnet.com.au 

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