Trailwalker Rip and Snip

Seeing as the Sydney Trailwalker has returned to part of "the original" route ie Berowra-Cowan-Brooklyn, and is on at the end of August 2007, mid-July is a great time for a training run, race, whatever you want to call it. It will be a good opportunity to check out the course for yourself with a bunch of like-minded others.

Anyway the Trailwalker Rip & Snip is from Berowra-Cowan-Brooklyn following the Trailwalker route:

• Checkpoint 7 – Checkpoint 8 - 14km - Berowra Community Centre to Cowan Public School
• Checkpoint 8 – Brooklyn 13.5km Cowan Public School to Brooklyn Park.
• Return by Train, car or run (same route or on the road). or run back to Cowan on road or bush and/ or .... plenty of options.
• estimate for "average runners" approx 4hrs one way, suspect only the hard-core wil run back (!!)

Start time & Location

• 7am, Sunday 15th July at Berowra Community Centre (See map of start location). Note for Striders and frequent fat assers, this is a different location than The Star or Black Stump runs.

Formalities

• The run is free, use it as a training run with mates or by yourself or go faster to time yourself. No fee. No time limit. No prizes. No need to let us know you are coming, just turn up. No maps will be handed out - assume you can print off your own (see below). No time limit but we do ask that you are self-sufficient and can look after yourself.

Discussion on CoolRunning

• See here

Why Did we call it Trailwalker Rip & Snip ?

• We ripped the idea off Trailwalker but snipped a bit off the distance.

If I run to Brooklyn and stop, how will I get back ?

• You could organise a car shuffle with mates - approx 20mins to drive from Berowra to Brooklyn
• Trains from Brooklyn to Berowra take 16mins (timetable) - note Brooklyn Station is called Hawkesbury River. There is no trackwork planned for 15-July, but it always pays to check StateRail.

Water etc on course

• There is a general store in Cowan, and a tap (sometimes) at Cowan Station. Water taps and toilets at Berowra Waters.

Course Notes and maps (from Trailwalker website)

• Berowra Community Centre (UBD Ref: 94 L12) to Cowan Public School (UBD Ref: 74 B14) 14km
• Map & profile for this section (PDF 2.3MB)
• After retracing the Benowie Track to the top of the climb from Sams Creek, the trail continues past the ‘Naa Badu’ lookout. This beautiful view looks back over Sams Creek, Berowra Creek, and to the clearing on Calna Creek. No doubt you will feel impressed with how far you have climbed! The trail continues to the peaceful village of Berowra Waters where the real challenge begins! From here there are a number of steep climbs and descents coupled with a real sense of remoteness. Steel hand and foot holds are attached to large boulders to assist you on the way. The trail comes out at the Pacific Highway in the township of Cowan. A few streets later and you are at Cowan Public School. Well done, you have just completed the toughest section!
• Note for the Rip & Snip - when we come out of the bush opposite Cowan station, do not run up to the public, just cross at the railway station.

• Cowan Public School (UBD Ref: 74 B14) to Brooklyn Park (UBD Ref: 56 D11) 13.5km
• Map & profile for this section (PDF 1.7MB)
• Now only 13.5km short of a triumphant finish, the final section tracks through the northern most reaches of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. We have saved the best to last so enjoy the towering Sydney Red Gums and Eucalypts on this section of the trail. From Cowan Railway Station the trail follows the Great North Walk on a pretty bush trail to the sparking waters of Jerusalem Bay. From here there are a number of steep rocky climbs up and along an extensive ridge. The views over the Hawkesbury River are breathtaking! As the trail begins its descent towards the riverside township of Brooklyn, the trail passes Brooklyn Dam. A final descent to Brooklyn Road and another kilometre along is the finish site at Brooklyn Park. Congratulations! You have committed, endured and you have achieved!
• Note for the Rip & Snip - when we come out on the road at Brooklyn, we will finish close to the railway station, don't run back along the road for 1km.