Hayden Bishop

The race commences at Wings Wildlife Park, Winduss Road, Gunns Plains.

The Park would prefer we park up near the private cabins. Reach these by driving up between the café and the toilets. Please do not park in the café carpark nor over any gates.

Most of the race is run on public roads. You are responsible for keeping yourself safe. Watch for traffic on the road and also entering onto the road.

The Course: Exit the park using the left-hand side of the road and run to the junction of Winduss Road with South Riana Road. Turn left, cross carefully to the right side of the road and continue over the bridge to Gunns Plains Road.

Turn right and continue approximately 3.5km until turning right into Marshalls Bridge Road.

Continue over the bridge, and turn right again on reaching Lowana Road. Continue on this road which becomes South Riana Road until reaching Winduss Road again, cross carefully then continue along to re-enter the Park and on to the start/finish.

NB: Please make sure you only cross where there are witches hats and/or marshals.

This event is a 9am start.

This race is a relay where each team member covers the same 5 km course.  The race chute will serve as the start and finish (transition for runners 1, 2 and 3) for all team members.

The race starts on the grass between the Penguin Surf Club and the coast, and heads east along the new coastal path towards Penguin.  The path continues up over the hill until the first turn opposite Johnson’s Beach.  The course then returns along the same route to the surf club.  From there, runners avoid going through the race chute, instead continuing west along the new path for another 1 km.  The second turn is immediately before Midway Point at Sulphur Creek.  From here, runners return along the path back the surf club and the transition to the next runner.

Due to unforeseen works on the Coastal Pathway in 2022 runners will be required to cross Preservation Drive at approximately 3.2km and again at the same point at approximately 4.8km. This crossing will be manned by two marshals, runners are reminded to cautious and safe when crossing the road.

Each team will be provided with two race numbers only.  The first number is to be worn by runner number 1 and then given to runner 3 prior to the start of their leg.  Similarly, the second number is to be worn by runner 2 and then given to runner 4. 

The coastal path is 3.5m wide.  However, as runners will be travelling along the path in both directions throughout the race, competitors are reminded that they must keep to the left side of the path at all times.  Please overtake slower runners only when safe to do so.

There is limited parking at the Penguin Surf Club and a large number of entrants. Alternate parking is available at Johnson’s Beach, parking at this location offers a 1.5km warm up.

The Club and Sponsor will provide a BBQ after the event, this will not be sufficient as lunch.

The race starts at 9:00am on Forth Road at Forth.

There are changerooms and toilet facilities at the Forth Football Ground (the meeting place) which is a short walking distance away. The race is over 25km and contains two major hilly sections. As the race is on public roads runners are asked to run with caution and obey any directions from race officials. Runners must run on the righthand side of the road facing oncoming traffic.

Shortly after the start runners turn right onto Wilmot Road, they run about 10 kilometres on Wilmot Road, on the western side of the Forth River, until they are crossed over onto Paloona Road on their left. The race proceeds over the bridge and a hilly section on Paloona Road until Melrose. Here runners turn left onto Bellamy Road.

After about three kilometres there are some major hills which take the runners to Forthside. Runners then turn right onto Forthside Road which leads to Forth Road where runners will be crossed over onto the righthand side of the road. Then it is downhill and over the Forth Bridge turning right into the Forth Football Ground for the finish line.

There will be race officials to cross runners at the start of Paloona Road, where Paloona Road meets Bellamy Road, and where Forthside Road meets Forth Road.

There are two drink stations – one on Paloona Road soon after crossing the bridge, and one near Forthside. There will be two tubs at the Forth Football Ground for runners to deposit named drink bottles (either name or race number) and gels etc. Drinks etc. must be in the tubs by 9:30am as they will be transported to the drink stations at this time. It is strongly recommended runners only take drinks from the designated drink stations.

People following the race in cars are reminded to obey all road rules and be conscious of other road users.

CAUTION: The last part of the race down Forth Road is on road which has very little verge. You are responsible for your safety. Stay on the extreme right and be prepared to move completely off the road if necessary.

A soup luncheon will be served after the race.

Course starts at NE corner of Romaine Pond (approx. 100m around from the dam wall).  Runners head north, cross the dam wall and follow the main path in an anticlockwise direction.  Follow the main track until the southern end of the main research area.  At the T-intersection, runners head right (south) along the main track for ~500m.  At this point there is a Y- intersection with a secondary branch to the right of the main track heading north.  Runners turn and follow this track through the cutting and then follow the fenceline single track until it meets the main track at the northern end of the main reserve.  Runners take a 180 turn to the left at this point, rejoining the main track back down and over the dam wall.  This is the end of lap 1.  Laps 2, 3 and 4 all take the same loop, following the main reserve track anticlockwise as before.  At the T-intersection runners head straight for these laps and continue on the main track back to the dam wall.  The finish chute is just to the north of the BBQ facilities on the NW corner of Romaine Pond.

1. Parking is limited in the Romaine carpark.  Therefore, all competitors that are able, are requested to park in Blackwood Parade or Kingsley Avenue.  This is to ensure access to the park area for other users and club members who are travelling with people who have mobility issues and/or small children.
2. When warming up and moving towards the start area, people are reminded that runners may starting their race.  As the main track narrows near the dam wall, please avoid interfering with runners already on course.  If possible, please approach the start area by walking in an anticlockwise direction around the dam.
3. When rain is forecast parts of the course are likely to be damp and muddy underfoot.  However, there will not be any heavy mud sections.  Remind runners to choose footwear accordingly.
4. There are sections of exposed roots along the fence line track that runners need to be wary of.

Race begins on North side of 3 Mile Line, opposite Burnie Council works depot

Proceed up 3 Mile Line on RHS of road, heading West

Cross over Mooreville Road under the direction of the marshal, at the roundabout and continue West, staying on the RHS

At West Mooreville road, turn Right and remain on RHS

West Mooreville will take you past E Cam road and continue up to the junction of Brickport road at Umina Park.

Turn Right and continue up Brickport Rd on RHS

A marshall will cross runners over to the LHS between witches hats at Freer farm. Continue to the roundabout and turn Left.

A second marshall will cross runners over the road approx. 200m from the roundabout

Continue up over the hill on RHS and down the the finish outside the Council depot car park.

Notes:

• Imperative that runners remain on RHS of road and only cross at marshal points where they can be easily seen by traffic
• Coming down off W Mooreville near TLC aquatics can be slippery, depending on weather: be alert.
• Toilets can be accessed 200m East of our starting point at McKenna Park Hockey Complex
• Please be careful crossing the road near the start and finish area and ensure children are well supervised also.