203 replies to this topic

[brettsrun]

Hi all just a quick reminder that early bird entries will close next weekend April 30th
Entries are filling fairly quickly so if you want a spot and want to save a few dollars dont leave it to late
April 30th will also see the first training run, a small group of us are planning to run the 30km course in a very relaxed social atmosphere.
It is about the course and not a hard work out, I'm sure there will be lots of photos and videos taken along the way and plenty of walk breaks.
We plan on 1 or 2 drop point locations or bring a camelbak, it could be cold and wet of course,
But that will make it even more fun :-) if Saturday gets your heart racing then Sunday will see another run including the last 20km of the 50km course.
Depending on timing the "Top of the range cafe" is located at the start finish line and has a great choice of food that can be enjoyed on the verandah or inside if cool.

The website will be updated soon with more information on aid stations, official cutoffs, course photos and videos and much more

A huge thanks to Parks Vic rangers who have been working on the trails to clear some small tree stumps for a safer start
It is great to have passionate people at Parks Vic who have the motto "healthy parks, healthy people"
At trailsplus we very much share this sentiment, as we know all the trail and ultra running commuity do also.

keep fit and healthy and look forward to seeing you on a trail soon.

for updates or to register visit www.trailsplus.org

p.s Di, sorry didnt get garmin file to you, still away with family, dont have access,
hope you got out there and enjoyed yourself.

Brett

Edited by brettsrun, 24 April 2011 - 10:23 AM.

[Sarge]

My brother lives in Macedon and I have done the run up the mountain to the cross from his house. If this becomes a regular gig then I will definately be there in the near future.

[harro]

Only 3 weeks rill this bugger rears its ugly head !

Attached Files

•  images.jpg   40.85K   37 downloads

[Barry]

The 30Km is a very tough 30Km and conditions could make it tougher again, Depending on if you plan to race or just run the event as to how tough you will find it.
I know when I am out there, it isnt so bad if taking breaks, for example Mal and I have done a 7 hr 30km, we took it easy and took photos and videos of the course
On the other hand Chilli and I did it in around 4:45, that was pretty hard for me,

Hi Brett,
I was wondering to work out how long it might take me to do Macedon if you did it in 4.45 how would this time compare to if you were doing Maroondah.
Hope this makes sense?
thanks
Craig

[RobHall]

Get ready for a long day out, while the course is safe, there are lots of big drops and big climbs intermingled with long drawn out sections of up hill that you can run until the life is sucked out of them. All very character building

[DianeE]

Are you still doing 20k tomorrow? (Sunday)

Starting where and when?

D.

[brettsrun]

Well clearly it sucked the life out of Rob, he didnt come back to finish it on Sunday (something about an alarm clock problem
Di sorry we didnt see you there, yes we ran the Sunday and had a ball.
Parks Vic have done a fantastic job removing some low tree stumps in the early section to make for safer running, thanks guys awesome

It was a great weekend with Chilli and I setting up camp on a mates property on Friday night just 10 minutes from the start
we had our own little island oasis, with marquees and tents and a camp fire, very relaxing (though sleep was an issue for me, so didnt run great Saturday (thats my excuse anyway :-)

Then after Saturdays run Mark Michelle Cathy and Mal joined us for the After Party
We had a large group, consisting of Myself, Chilli Maggot Cathy Darren (No Nikki ) Mark&Michelle Pat Dean Barbara and Rob
Conditions were perfect though a little cold standing still but that soon changed once on the move with all long sleeves pretty much coming off
Though we didnt race by any stretch and we had regular stops and chats and food breaks it has confirmed that the course is tough and it wasn't wet and slippery like it is likely to be on Race day.
With this in mind I have extended the cut offs slightly as follows
30Km cut off is now 6 1/2 hours, I will continue to monitor this and it may changed based on average finishing times
50Km cut off is now 9 hours, but you must be in and out of 30Km mark by 1pm giving you 5 1./2 hours, if you cant acheive that best enter the 30Km event

Thanks to everyone that came out anmd made it a great weekend, especailly Chilliman who was so organised for the camping side of this and is a real champ when it comes to helping out with course details.

On a personal level I was really excited after struggling the last bit of Saturdays 30Km to back up and run real strong Smart run on the Sunday 20Km allowing me to run hard down and solid up especially at the finish over the gruelling 2Km of climbing
Just hope the body doesnt make me pay in the next day or so!!

ON THE ENTRY SIDE
They are filling fast, after many have taken advantage of the early bird entries that closed on the weekend but we still have some spaces left, so dont delay if you are keen to give this one a go, or you may have to wait til next year
Also a reminder that the TEAM at HighlyTunedAthletes (Rob&Pete) continue to support trail running and are offering a fantastic deal on the new GARMIN FR610 plus there is a great Prize of a GARMIN 210 up for grabs on Race Day.
for more details contact trailsplus or call Brett

Edited by brettsrun, 02 May 2011 - 08:47 PM.

[EatEm]

Wow ... what a way to spend a weekend ...  

Michelle & I joined the others for a bit of course recce - just to see what was ahead of us - very interesting to say the least. I am not going to give it all away but listen to the RD's advise and be cautious ...
We covered the 30kms on Saturday in TOTAL time of 5h 20m ... hard to gauge total stoppage time for chats / food / keeping directions but 5h would be close. I believe that Brett & Chilli have run it in 4.45 and that would be with little stops.
Sundays 20kms took 4h 10m TOTAL time - with maybe 20-30 mins last for stoppages etc.
So we took 9h 30m TOTAL time over two days.
Doing it all in one day will be a challenge for some (me included  !!!)- it is a tough course and you will have the cumulative total on the legs of plenty of descents and ascents as the day goes on.

Barry - I have run Maroondah 30km in a best of 3:20 (another in 3:45)
This year i did the Maroondah 50km in 6:40ish ... with a bit left 'in the tank'
I have also done You Yangs 50km in 6:50ish.
Mt Macedon is harder than eaither of these - no question. At a guess you should add 60-80 mins onto your 30km time for a guide at Mt Macedon - for the 50km add at least 90mins+  

Have fun everyone ....

[harro]

shit !!!!

[Narred]

harro, on 02 May 2011 - 05:27 PM, said:

shit !!!!

Hey guys,

Dont get put off entering this event as there are lots of great single trails to have fun running on. Yes there are a few "little" hills as well but lots of them are runnable anyway. Great view over parts of the area from high points as well. Brett & his flock have done a great job putting this together & will be a great day.

[Barry]

Barry - I have run Maroondah 30km in a best of 3:20 (another in 3:45)
This year i did the Maroondah 50km in 6:40ish ... with a bit left 'in the tank'
I have also done You Yangs 50km in 6:50ish.
Mt Macedon is harder than eaither of these - no question. At a guess you should add 60-80 mins onto your 30km time for a guide at Mt Macedon - for the 50km add at least 90mins+  



Thanks EatEm
I think from what you've said I will guess a time of around 4:30 - 4:45

[maryclaire]

EatEm, on 02 May 2011 - 04:32 PM, said:

Mt Macedon is harder than eaither of these - no question. At a guess you should add 60-80 mins onto your 30km time for a guide at Mt Macedon - for the 50km add at least 90mins+  

thanks for the details...I think your guesstimate of +90 mins over MD50 time would put me running VERY close to the 9hr cutoff. (7:23 at MD50 - but certainly did not leave it all on the course)

Should I stick with the 50km and hope to scrape through (half expecting to be pulled at the 30km mark) or downgrade to 30km and work on building  experience for the longer stuff next year????

[vulture]

Narred, on 02 May 2011 - 05:55 PM, said:

Hey guys,

Dont get put off entering this event as there are lots of great single trails to have fun running on. Yes there are a few "little" hills as well but lots of them are runnable anyway. Great view over parts of the area from high points as well. Brett & his flock have done a great job putting this together & will be a great day.

I've heard a rumor you're going to be primed to rip this one to shreds!!  

[brettsrun]

maryclaire, on 02 May 2011 - 06:29 PM, said:

thanks for the details...I think your guesstimate of +90 mins over MD50 time would put me running VERY close to the 9hr cutoff. (7:23 at MD50 - but certainly did not leave it all on the course)

Should I stick with the 50km and hope to scrape through (half expecting to be pulled at the 30km mark) or downgrade to 30km and work on building  experience for the longer stuff next year????

Apart from the few at the pointy end (you know who you are)
The secret to this course will be managing each stage or part there of ( we want you to have success and enjoy the event and will be there to help you achieve your goals)
My personal view is that you could dig your own "timing hole" by trying to run to hard on the bigger ups, plan your race and don't change it based on others around you.
But if you plan the right pace strategy, you will have the legs to run the runnable sections, "there are quite a lot of runnable sections"
I know out of the now dozen or so times I have been on the course I have failed to use the right strategy on several occasions and ended up walking, where I know I should be able to run.
Granted there is some injury (caution/prevention) going on but none the less, get it right and the course wont bite you - too hard -

I think in a different kind of way there are some parallels with bogong to hotham and the langford gap cut offs
Its a race you need to focus on getting to the 30Km to then have the option to go on, the 30 - 40km section is actually a section that can be covered in about 1:15 for the average runner, surprisingly downhill and tough on the quads but fast.
the next 5km is on any other day very runnable and quite fast, then it gets a bit more technical and the real climb starts with 2.55km, you will be very happy to see bitumen as this path leads you all down hill to the finish about 300M.
You can rightfully hold your head high and wear the medal knowing you have achieved a mountainous feat.

good luck with training and get some hills into those legs

[RobHall]

alarm clock was fine, kid pissing in his bed and winding up in my bed, forcing me into a spare away from my alarm was my excuse.  The biggest tradgedy was my legs were really good after the 30 so I would have enjoyed the second day.  

This course is fairly insane and but is intermingled with beautiful scenery.  I have never needed trail shoes before, today I purchased 2 pairs.

Narred blew everyone away up the hills, he will do well at TNF and if he maintains form he will spank many an a$$ on the trails of Mt Macedon.

[russell2pi]

lol, getting kicked out to the spare room is always a secret win for me -- it's the only time I'm allowed to set an alarm!

Sounds like a good day was had by all. Actually had a little poke around Macedon myself on Sunday, spur of the moment family picnic. Boy, I have a long way to go before I could manage 30 km of that terrain.

[DianeE]

Boys & Girls,

Does anyone have a garmin file of any of the runs you have done so far out there?  I have a couple of Parks Vic maps and will do a Mt Macedon run on the weekend.  I am happy to find my own way around, but would obviously prefer to follow the general direction of the course.

Even just some basic direction instructions here would be good!

Thanks in advance

D.

[EatEm]

Hi D,

Chilli had two Garmins & Brett had one -  and Iam sure there were several others also - in fact Mal & I were the only one's without ... lol

Enjoy the scenery ..

[biggers]

I'd love to do this run (the shorter option) but will be O/S at the time recharging the batteries in Northern Europe. I hope to do some running over there now and then when SWMBO gives me the green light.

I'll look forward to reading all about it - great work, Brett!

And Diane, I hope your current aversion to running (well, racing more like it) is just a phase that you are going through. Maybe you need a spot of battery recharging yourself!

Cheers

biggers

[Narred]

EatEm, on 03 May 2011 - 08:59 AM, said:

Hi D,

Chilli had two Garmins & Brett had one -  and Iam sure there were several others also - in fact Mal & I were the only one's without ... lol

Enjoy the scenery ..

Correction - Chilli had 3 Garmins

[DianeE]

biggers, on 03 May 2011 - 09:10 AM, said:

And Diane, I hope your current aversion to running (well, racing more like it) is just a phase that you are going through. Maybe you need a spot of battery recharging yourself!

Cheers

biggers

Thanks Biggers.  On Sunday I deliberately did the most boring, un-scenic (is that a word?!) flat 20k run just to prove to myself that it's not that bad and to suck it up!  Now I can't wait to get out into the hills & trails this weekend!!

[EatEm]

Yeap - I forgot about the Edge 800 on his Camelback ...

[phYx]

I am scared of this run now. I don't want to have to take up training.

[DuckGirl]

Thanks all for a really enjoyable weekend, the weather was kind to us, company was great and some beautiful trail to run.

Brett has certainly designed a tough course, I can imagine it could be a whole lot worse with some rain  

The last 2k is certainly a challenge (it took Cathy and I 36mins, admittedly we weren't pushing it, but still....)

I think I'm looking forward to it  

[Narred]

Hey Brett,

How many aid stations will there be on course & roughly how far apart?

Cheers

[brettsrun]

Narred, on 06 May 2011 - 08:47 AM, said:

Hey Brett,

How many aid stations will there be on course & roughly how far apart?

Cheers

NONE YOU HAVE TO CARRY EVERYTHING

JUST KIDDING NARRED

Aid Stations to be finalised in the next couple of days but likely setup will be the following depending on Volunteer Numbers (If anyone is looking to get involved we could use some more volunteer help on the day) drop me a line if interested.
All the following are approx for the moment with maybe 2K variation
4.5K-9.5K-13K-15.5k-19K-23K - 26K - 30K
then the 50K runners get
34.5Km - 39K - 43K - 48.5K

These distance may look a bit odd but they match critical locations or suitable locations and in some cases you will need them more then you think
Also some aid stations will move to another location after runners through, for example the 4.5Km aid will move to 26K location to act as aid station and course direction marshalls

hope this helps a bit and remember it is based on volunteer numbers so one or maybe two might be removed from the list
cheers Brett

Edited by brettsrun, 07 May 2011 - 11:54 AM.

[Wenny]

Absolutely stoked for this run Brett - great effort putting it all together once again.    Having an event like this in the calendar only 45 minutes out of Melbourne is fantastic.

I've have digested this thread with interest.  Love the enthusiasm for a really varied and technical course.  Can there be anything better than straining up a massive climb, finding your breath whilst savouring a stunning view, and then accelerating down a toenail blackening trail before doing it all over again?  Sign me up any day.

Looking forward to a solid day out in the 50, and to catching up with as many of you as possible on the trail.

Wenny

[JC1]

Got tomorrow off, havent been there yet, heading up for a look and about a 2 hour stroll . Will be there at 9.

JC

[harro]

Sunday did 35k nice and slow with a few short walks. Just shy of 4hrs.  Happy to finish but could have kept going no worries.  Sensible training has paid off. Thanks to all for advice. You know who you are.  Now looking forward to what looks like an 'interesting 50'.........

[russell2pi]

I would be interested to know the route. Thinking about going for a shorter run up there on Sunday focusing on the single track bits from what I can find on the Parks Vic brochures but your little Google Earth screen shot seems to show a few secret squirrels routes!

[brettsrun]

russell2pi, on 16 May 2011 - 10:16 PM, said:

I would be interested to know the route. Thinking about going for a shorter run up there on Sunday focusing on the single track bits from what I can find on the Parks Vic brochures but your little Google Earth screen shot seems to show a few secret squirrels routes!

Hi russell2pi,
yep parks maps dont cover all the trails so following them will get you around a good part of the course but not the exact course
we are finalising the maps and didnt want to put anything out there that would potentially send people astray
hope to have some up soon

[Berga]

Have just registered for the 30km, this newbie to trail running is very much looking forward to this challenge!!!

[harro]

The maps are up on the website....good job Brett...2 weeks to go.....cant wait....have a lot to make up for after sooking out during 2 bays......just gotta finish this bugger.....   The best bit will actually be saying gday to all you buggers....harro

[brettsrun]

harro, on 21 May 2011 - 08:46 PM, said:

The maps are up on the website....good job Brett...2 weeks to go.....cant wait....have a lot to make up for after sooking out during 2 bays......just gotta finish this bugger.....   The best bit will actually be saying gday to all you buggers....harro

Thanks Harro, these are draft maps of the actual course the real maps are still in the capable hands of "Chilli Design - Enterprises"
Also started updating some course info and descriptions, will continue to update.

For those thinking of running but not yet signed up, entries will be closing in a week and limited spots left so don't leave it to late

[phYx]

Entered! Now I'm scared  

[russell2pi]

Hrmmm very tempted after a wonderful run up there today, after the GPS (Nokia) told me I'd done 19 km... I was thinking, that's not far short of 30 km, reckon I could have made made another 11 km. However MapMyRun reckons 17.3 and Google Earth claims 16.5 for the same data. If that was 16.5 then 30 km would be beyond me at this stage.

Still, it's some gorgeous country. I've never enjoyed a run as much as I enjoyed today's.   Hope you all have a ball next weekend.

Attached Files

•  Mt Macedon Snowgums.jpg   126.38K   36 downloads

[chilliman]

Official 2011 Garmin course files

.............can be downloaded (or viewed) from the links below.

(And yes they have been tested on a 310xt this time. )

Trails+ 30k Mount Macedon 2011 course here.

Trails+ 50k Mount Macedon 2011 course here.


I suggest you attach your Garmin, pair via Ant+ or USB cable, then click on the "Send to device" button on the upper right of the map.  Note when viewing on the Garmin Connect site it will default to Miles (change to metric - top right), but will still run as km's on the device. Also GC uses the horrible "bung" maps by default still.

 Picture 4.png   137.68K   29 downloads

On the Garmin itself, the courses can be found in most cases under "Training", "Courses", select the course, then on the day "Do Course" and have fun.

Any problems, send Brett a PM.  

Only kidding, PM me or ring me at HTA, but not on the day or the night before.

[DianeE]

The 30k looks tough enough!  

For those who have done the final 20k of the 50k course...it looks like kms 33-45 are all relatively downhill and very runnable, is that about right?  Just the final 2 kms look a total b****!!

D.

[DiJ]

All I can say is OUCH I'm glad Brett talked me out of it and I'm on volunteering duties for the day.  Don't make me have to carry you away from the finish line Di.

[DianeE]

I'm just planning a REALLY long day out!!!

[ZenRunner]

Great work on the maps Chilli!
Looks like is going to be a fun day out there, just hope it doesn't snow, that'd be the icing on the cake  

[pbig]

brettsrun, on 06 May 2011 - 11:18 PM, said:

Aid Stations to be finalised in the next couple of days but likely setup will be the following depending on Volunteer Numbers (If anyone is looking to get involved we could use some more volunteer help on the day) drop me a line if interested.
All the following are approx for the moment with maybe 2K variation
4.5K-9.5K-13K-15.5k-19K-23K - 26K - 30K
then the 50K runners get
34.5Km - 39K - 43K - 48.5K

These distance may look a bit odd but they match critical locations or suitable locations and in some cases you will need them more then you think
Also some aid stations will move to another location after runners through, for example the 4.5Km aid will move to 26K location to act as aid station and course direction marshalls

hope this helps a bit and remember it is based on volunteer numbers so one or maybe two might be removed from the list
cheers Brett

Brett, I assume the above information on aid station positions is more up-to-date than what is on the Trails+ website?

[russell2pi]

DianeE, on 24 May 2011 - 11:17 AM, said:

Just the final 2 kms look a total b****!!

I did that stretch last weekend early in my run. Nearly all of it I walked- walking it at decent pace had my HR at the same as running pace anyway! The 2km from the road up to the cross took me 24 minutes! 300m elevation gain so 15% gradient average in that section, 20% over the middle 1 km. Good luck .

[harro]

luck and a spare set of legs at the last aid station perhaps !    Getting close now  :-)

[brettsrun]

pbig, on 26 May 2011 - 04:03 PM, said:

Brett, I assume the above information on aid station positions is more up-to-date than what is on the Trails+ website?

Pete,
this is the approx locations of the aid points, not all aid is a fully stocked station, some just water top up and lollies?
AID STATIONS - Aid stations will be located along the course at various distances.
The approximate distance are as follows. 5K - 8K - 12K - 15K - 19K - 22K - 30K - 35K - 39K - 43K - 48K - 50K.
Please note some of these aid stations are dual aid stations that you will use as you pass in the opposite direction hence the closeness in some cases.
Also not all aid station will be fully stocked or even manned. Some may just have water and lollies available.
only days to go and a few entries still available,
Hope all the hill training is going well guys :-)

DianeE, on 24 May 2011 - 11:17 AM, said:

The 30k looks tough enough!  

For those who have done the final 20k of the 50k course...it looks like kms 33-45 are all relatively downhill and very runnable, is that about right?  Just the final 2 kms look a total b****!!

D.

Well thats Kinda about right Di,
but depends on how much you like down hills :-)
I think the last 15 or so are lots of fun.....then..

[EatEm]

Di .....
If you were running the last 20kms on it's own then yes it is runnable .... but on legs that have already done a tough 30kms the last 20kms is a challenge - but that is what it is aall about.
DG & I expect to cover the last 20kms in about 3.5hrs (I think) - we are allowing for a fair degree of fatigue.

To quote another RD ... " culminative toll"    
As in the course takes a culimative toll on the legs ....

[pbig]

chilliman, on 23 May 2011 - 08:51 PM, said:

Official 2011 Garmin course files

.............can be downloaded (or viewed) from the links below.

(And yes they have been tested on a 310xt this time. )

Thanks chilliman, downloaded fine to my 310xt.

[DianeE]

brettsrun, on 27 May 2011 - 04:52 AM, said:

Well thats Kinda about right Di,
but depends on how much you like down hills :-)
I think the last 15 or so are lots of fun.....then..

Running downhill is about all I am currently capable of!

EatEm, on 27 May 2011 - 09:45 AM, said:

Di .....
If you were running the last 20kms on it's own then yes it is runnable .... but on legs that have already done a tough 30kms the last 20kms is a challenge - but that is what it is aall about.
DG & I expect to cover the last 20kms in about 3.5hrs (I think) - we are allowing for a fair degree of fatigue.

To quote another RD ... " culminative toll"    
As in the course takes a culimative toll on the legs ....

Just sounds like to much fun really doesn't it!!

Heading out for a long slow run tomorrow to see what the hammy will handle.  The result will determine
a.) if I turn up on the day, and
b.) sensibly just do the 30k, or
c.) say what the heck and do the whole lot!

D.

Edited by DianeE, 27 May 2011 - 08:58 PM.

[DianeE]

My Garmin will only load one or the other course.  If I load the 50k it replaces the 30k course and vice-versa.  Is that normal? (405).

[harro]

thats an omen.....the 50 or bust !