264 replies to this topic

[rodthehornet]

<b>Race Time/Date: 7am Monday, 25th April 2011 (Easter Monday / Anzac Day)
Start Location: Old Queen Victoria Hospital
Kings Tableland Road,
Wentworth Falls
25km finish: Top of Golden Stairs
Glenraphael Drive
Katoomba
45km finish: Old Queen Victoria Hospital
Member Entries Open:01/02/2011
Visitor Entries Open: 08/02/2011
Race Entries Close: Upon receipt of 200 entries or 11/04/2011, whichever comes first
There will be NO race day entries
25km member cost: $70
25km visitor cost: $80
45km member cost: $110
45km visitor cost: $120</b>

Attached is the entry form and information pack for Mt. Solitary Ultra.  For anyone not familiar with the area, the course circles the Jamison Valley and takes in portions of The North Face course.  The most significant part of the course, as the name implies, is the traverse over Mt. Solitary.

There are qualifying standards contained in the information pack.  All cuts are designed to ensure that runners complete the course in daylight hours.  There will be a fair degree of self sufficiency in the first portion of the 45km course.  There is no other way to describe this portion of the course, other than rugged, steep and technical in parts.  The course will be fully marked, but there will still need to be a degree of self navigation to remain on course.

This course is spectacular.  It has all the facets of what trail running is about - fast downhill fire/single trail, gnarly uphill, stairs, rolling single trail, creek/river crossings, rock clambering and diverse flora.  Best of all, you will be tested to the hilt and be rewarded with stunning views all over the course.  

Whether you are training on from Six Foot Track or aiming for The North Face, this race should suit you.  Hope to see a few of you out there.


The Committee
Running Wild

Attached Files

•  Mt Solitary Entry Form 2.pdf   38.15K   60 downloads
•  mt solitary information package.pdf   843.36K   143 downloads

Edited by rodthehornet, 30 January 2011 - 07:04 PM.

[runhard]

This looks amazing.  I will give it some serious thought. Would love to give it a shot.

RH

[undercover brother]

sounds narly.
i like narly.

Edited by undercover brother, 17 January 2011 - 08:37 PM.

[Running Angel]

I had thought about doing this one but looks like I don't qualify, so guess it's the short option for me

[Slug]

Will definitely be doing the 45km option after sampling Kedumba on Saturday. Couldn't think of a better curtain raiser to North Face. Giddy up! And gnarly indeed!

[pipi]

Bro - you should come do it.

[doddsy]

this does look gnarly..... I had it in my calendar for a few weeks now... got to weigh up if it is to gnarly with comrades 5 weeks later otherwise short option for sure. Have always wanted to go to Mt solitary but had planned to camp out there guess i'll have to stop and smell the flowers just a lot quicker

[trailpuddin]

rodthehornet, on Jan 17 2011, 08:07 PM, said:

Race Entries Close: Upon receipt of 200 entries or 11/04/2011, whichever comes first

Given the popularity will there be priority entry for those who have run the course more than 15 times?  

(To be clear - I am joking)

[philk]

Re the qualifiers: - are the sub 6hr 6Ft and sub 4:30 FFTM also subject to the last 3 year limitation (as per sub 4 road mara) ? Not clear to me.

Doddsy - I suspect that 5 weeks would be plenty buffer for Comrades & could be an ideal hit-out - ie distance plus gnarly aspect = good mental prep.

[djbleakman]

undercover brother, on Jan 17 2011, 09:37 PM, said:

sounds narly.
i like narly.

Come on down Bro... this is in my truly honest English opinion, the best trail run in Australia. A mother of a climb up to Solitary, a nice steep descent (rock climbing skills required )... then some of the most beautiful single file track running going. A bit of knarly rock dodging at the landslide site, and then some crowd mingling with Japanese tourists at the Scenic Railway before the descent down to Leura Forest, then the beauty of a 700m climb back up to the hospital. As you climb up Kedumba pass, take a second to look behind you and view the Blue Mountains from an angle most people never see. Just under a smidgeon of 3,000m of elevation in the 45kms... a beauty.

[rodthehornet]

Philk,

We are requesting qualifiers in the last 3 years for any race.  Reasons are to have some recency to the runner's exploits.  We are doing this so that we can be confident that who we accept for the 45km race is able to complete the course inside 10 hrs.  We will assess entries on a case by case basis, but ultimately any decision made is for runner safety and the longevity of the race.

It is hard for us to benchmark this event.  As an example I did 4:34 at 6ft in 2010.  In that same condition I would do well to break 7 hours on this course.  In fact 7 hrs would be my goal and I would be elated if I could do that time.  Bear in mind this is over the same distance as 6ft.

Sub 6:00 6ft time may or may not be right, but we would rather err on the side of safety in our first staging of the event.  I could see the 6:00 6ft runner taking at least 9hrs to complete this course and any slowdown would take them closer to 10 hours.

Hope this helps.

Rod

[Spud]

A quick comparison for those who recently ran B2H.

B2H = 64kms with just over 3000m total ascent
Mt Solitary = 45kms with just over 3000m total ascent.

[xavierda]

Is the 200 runner limit applicable to entrants across both the 45 and 25km options? Or just the 45?

[philk]

thanks Rod, that is a great help.

[Mister G]

Xavier- applies to entrants in all events.

[flyingemu]

I think I'm already giving this race the respect it deserves.
I'm excited and scared about it at the same time.
9hrs would be my aim time.
I like gnaaaarly too.
Bring it.

[Martin Dugdale]

count me in, suppose I had better run under 6 hours in 6ft
Giddyup

[Ponkey]

djbleakman, on Jan 18 2011, 09:32 AM, said:

Come on down Bro... this is in my truly honest English opinion, the best trail run in Australia. A mother of a climb up to Solitary, a nice steep descent (rock climbing skills required )... then some of the most beautiful single file track running going. A bit of knarly rock dodging at the landslide site, and then some crowd mingling with Japanese tourists at the Scenic Railway before the descent down to Leura Forest, then the beauty of a 700m climb back up to the hospital. As you climb up Kedumba pass, take a second to look behind you and view the Blue Mountains from an angle most people never see. Just under a smidgeon of 3,000m of elevation in the 45kms... a beauty.

DJB talks some drivel on occasions but as a fellow Pom I have to back him up on this one. The best Blue Mountains run by far and one which takes on so many different personalities as the day unfolds. I have done it numerous times in both directions and in the middle of the night as well as the heat of the day and each time it chews you up and spits you out. Rock climbing, wide open trail, 3 water crossings and to be able to share it with so many runners on the day will be magical. I am definitely in for this one !

[GarthMc]

Can't wait. I've already got the Entry form filled out and scanned in!  

[vstaR]

rodthehornet, on Jan 18 2011, 09:41 AM, said:

It is hard for us to benchmark this event.  As an example I did 4:34 at 6ft in 2010.  In that same condition I would do well to break 7 hours on this course.   I could see the 6:00 6ft runner taking at least 9hrs to complete this course and any slowdown would take them closer to 10 hours.

Rod

For another comparison, when I last did the Mt Solitary loop (as a 5hr 6Ft runner), I took just on 8 hrs to finish back at the Water Board gates. Admittedly, we took a more scenic/touristy approach during the day (eg photos & lunch on top of Mt Sol, and a few other photo ops, stop at base of Scenic Rlway etc), but I was pretty wrecked at the end of the day.

With this course including both ascent & descent of Golden Stairs, I could easily see another 45mins-1hr being added to that time.

[Brick]

If it does not fill up with members entries before the other entries open I am in as well.
But I don't like my chances as it is such a good run.

[Running Angel]

OK I have a question. Can we enter pre 6 foot and hope to go under the 6 hours qualifier, on the proviso that if we don't qualify we drop down to the 25k ? Or do we actually have to have a qualifying race before we enter? I don't want to miss out!

Edited by Running Angel, 18 January 2011 - 12:58 PM.

[Lynda]

This looks like a top run! I'm with you Martin & Running Angel - will be trying very hard for a sub-6 at 6 foot.

[rodthehornet]

Running Angel, on Jan 18 2011, 01:57 PM, said:

OK I have a question. Can we enter pre 6 foot and hope to go under the 6 hours qualifier, on the proviso that if we don't qualify we drop down to the 25k ? Or do we actually have to have a qualifying race before we enter? I don't want to miss out!

RA,

That is fine.  What I suggest is actually to submit your application and pay for the 25km race, but in the qualifying section put a notation that you intend to attempt to run sub 6 at 6ft.  Then if your time works out, you pay the extra fees and we upgrade you from 25 to 45km.

Doing it the other way creates problems with having to do refunds and the less admin we have to do the better.  This method allows us to keep an eye on your result and you can stay in touch with us.  End of the day, there will be 200 spots available, so moving you between fields wont present too much of a problem.  

I would suggest similar to anyone that is in the 6:00-6:30 range and is interested in the full course.


Rod

[flyingemu]

Brick, on Jan 18 2011, 01:20 PM, said:

If it does not fill up with members entries before the other entries open I am in as well.
But I don't like my chances as it is such a good run.

You better become a member then!

[Running Angel]

rodthehornet, on Jan 18 2011, 02:09 PM, said:

RA,

That is fine.  What I suggest is actually to submit your application and pay for the 25km race, but in the qualifying section put a notation that you intend to attempt to run sub 6 at 6ft.  Then if your time works out, you pay the extra fees and we upgrade you from 25 to 45km.

Doing it the other way creates problems with having to do refunds and the less admin we have to do the better.  This method allows us to keep an eye on your result and you can stay in touch with us.  End of the day, there will be 200 spots available, so moving you between fields wont present too much of a problem.  

I would suggest similar to anyone that is in the 6:00-6:30 range and is interested in the full course.


Rod

Great, thanks Rod, I will definitely do that. Gives me all the more incentive to get my sub 6 hours at 6FT

Lynda, on Jan 18 2011, 02:09 PM, said:

This looks like a top run! I'm with you Martin & Running Angel - will be trying very hard for a sub-6 at 6 foot.

Great, I was hoping to have someone else to run with, not keen on doing this one solo! Lets hope we qualify!

[Bernie G]

Spud, on Jan 17 2011, 07:58 AM, said:

A quick comparison for those who recently ran B2H.

B2H = 64kms with just over 3000m total ascent
Mt Solitary = 45kms with just over 3000m total ascent.

Nasty - my excuse Bluesfest

Enjoy

[Martin Dugdale]

Lynda, on Jan 18 2011, 02:09 PM, said:

This looks like a top run! I'm with you Martin & Running Angel - will be trying very hard for a sub-6 at 6 foot.

after the way you shot off up the mountain on Saturday, my guess is that you will be way in front of me

Edited by Martin Dugdale, 18 January 2011 - 02:43 PM.

[doddsy]

rodthehornet, on Jan 18 2011, 01:09 PM, said:

RA,

That is fine.  What I suggest is actually to submit your application and pay for the 25km race, but in the qualifying section put a notation that you intend to attempt to run sub 6 at 6ft.  Then if your time works out, you pay the extra fees and we upgrade you from 25 to 45km.

Doing it the other way creates problems with having to do refunds and the less admin we have to do the better.  This method allows us to keep an eye on your result and you can stay in touch with us.  End of the day, there will be 200 spots available, so moving you between fields wont present too much of a problem.  

I would suggest similar to anyone that is in the 6:00-6:30 range and is interested in the full course.


Rod

I am in for sure based on the above, i will surely sign up for the  25km see how I am tracking a month out and might opt for the 45km option, I must say reading that there is a little bit of rock climbing/scrambling involved just makes it to good to miss, maybe you could put some of this in the 25km option jk

Doddsy

[Hamburglar]

Spud, on Jan 18 2011, 09:58 AM, said:

A quick comparison for those who recently ran B2H.

B2H = 64kms with just over 3000m total ascent
Mt Solitary = 45kms with just over 3000m total ascent.

Ifind that remarkable and a little hard to believe, but if you say so...

I usually go away for easter, but may have to do some rearranging of the calander.

[Mister G]

Hamburglar, on Jan 18 2011, 09:49 PM, said:

Ifind that remarkable and a little hard to believe, but if you say so...

I usually go away for easter, but may have to do some rearranging of the calander.

Mate. Would I lie to you? Trust me...

[Spud]

Hamburglar, on Jan 18 2011, 09:49 PM, said:

Ifind that remarkable and a little hard to believe, but if you say so...

I usually go away for easter, but may have to do some rearranging of the calander.

Rearrange, you'll love this course Chris. We have mapped it a couple of times now and it's deadset +3k over the 45km. Cracker.
Do it!

[djbleakman]

I concur with that... the difference between this and B2H is that you gain the elevation very differently. Remeber at B2H you gain half the course's elevation in the first 6kms and then there's a lot of flat stuff (albeit through tough terrain)... at Solitary, most of the elevation is done at around 100m per 1km and is consistently undulating bar 5-8kms of flat-ish running into Katoomba and Leura Forest... in part of B2H, you're doing 250m+ per km in some parts, hence why B2H feels so much tougher. Admittedly, the climb up to Solitary is a tough one... around 700m in 4-5kms... that's pretty tough going and there is some scrambling to be done - the views at the top are to die for though.

The deceptive bit about this run is the 4km along the top of Solitary, it will take most people nearly an hour to negoiate, it's tough running in places but it's the best place in the Blue Mountains to be...

[GarthMc]

djbleakman, on Jan 19 2011, 10:15 AM, said:

I concur with that... the difference between this and B2H is that you gain the elevation very differently. Remeber at B2H you gain half the course's elevation in the first 6kms and then there's a lot of flat stuff (albeit through tough terrain)... at Solitary, most of the elevation is done at around 100m per 1km and is consistently undulating bar 5-8kms of flat-ish running into Katoomba and Leura Forest... in part of B2H, you're doing 250m+ per km in some parts, hence why B2H feels so much tougher. Admittedly, the climb up to Solitary is a tough one... around 700m in 4-5kms... that's pretty tough going and there is some scrambling to be done - the views at the top are to die for though.

The deceptive bit about this run is the 4km along the top of Solitary, it will take most people nearly an hour to negoiate, it's tough running in places but it's the best place in the Blue Mountains to be...

Don't forget that little "bump" at the end running back up Kedumba.

Haven't done the rest of the course, but if it's even half as good as people are talking it up, it's going to be awesome.

[iangallagher16]

Sold! im in!

My hip injury from Glenbrook Marathon seems to be on the mend so this will be a good come back race.

How long are people expecting it to take?

As a benchmark, what would be a top time? This is just so i can advise family when to meet me.

cheers

[B2orB1]

iangallagher16, on Jan 20 2011, 11:47 AM, said:

How long are people expecting it to take?

The unofficial Fat Ass time is 5:56 (JustDidIt) starting at Kedumba gates, and without the climb up the Golden Stair. A total of around 40km.

[rodthehornet]

Ian,

Lead times are hard to anticipate as I dont know of anyone that has really had a good dig over the whole course.  However if my 6ft/MS conversion is around 4:30/7:00, I would anticipate a 3:30 6ft runner doing around 5-5:30 hrs.

Now we just have to find some 3:30 6ft runners to set the standard for others to chase.....


Rod

[Thomas]

B2orB1, on Jan 20 2011, 12:58 PM, said:

The unofficial Fat Ass time is 5:56 (JustDidIt) starting at Kedumba gates, and without the climb up the Golden Stair. A total of around 40km.

Not anymore. Nikolay did 5.55 just before Christmas.

[Spud]

Remember Nikolay's and Just Did It's times are for the shorter 40km course, this excluded the Golden Stairs loop.

[buzzlightyear]

djbleakman, on Jan 19 2011, 10:15 AM, said:

... the difference between this and B2H is that you gain the elevation very differently. Remeber at B2H you gain half the course's elevation in the first 6kms and then there's a lot of flat stuff (albeit through tough terrain)... at Solitary, most of the elevation is done at around 100m per 1km ...

This is someone giving excuse for their poor B2H performance!! E...X....C...U...S...E...S!!!

[pipi]

Would have been good if the short course went over Mt. solitary.  With the long course I suspect runners will be lame and not have a go until they hit the easy ground after traversing the great mt. solitary.  Maybe there should be an extra king of the mountain award for the first runner to reach the checkpoint?

Unless there is some track maintenance, I think the unmaintained, but relatively flat trail on top of Mt. Solitary will be slower than the gnarly steep spots.  I recall a track that changes direction every 10 - 20 meters and takes on a new route every time a tree falls on it - the type of track where maintaining momentum is tough and running is not much faster than walking...

[rodthehornet]

Pipi,

Track condition on top is not too bad.   Was up there about six weeks ago and the thing that slows runners down the most rather than downed trees is the branches etc growing over the track at head height.   Surprisinly there are not too many downed trees up there that impact on the single track.

As DJB mentioned there are also a lot of sneaky up/downs and changes of direction to avoid rock formations when traversing the top that test the runner.  I will be up there again in 3 weeks or so to do some recce work for the race so will be able to report back on track condition.

We have had some discussion re KOM.......

Rod

[iangallagher16]

rodthehornet, on Jan 20 2011, 01:09 PM, said:

Ian,

Lead times are hard to anticipate as I dont know of anyone that has really had a good dig over the whole course.  However if my 6ft/MS conversion is around 4:30/7:00, I would anticipate a 3:30 6ft runner doing around 5-5:30 hrs.

Now we just have to find some 3:30 6ft runners to set the standard for others to chase.....


Rod

right, well that puts things into perspective. Gonna be a longer run than i first thought....

Cheers

Rod

[rodthehornet]

An update on this race.  We have put together an inaugural Mt. Solitary Ultra adventure top.  Attached is a draft picture of the adventure top.  Note this will not be the final design as we will also use a photo incorporating the Three Sisters.  These tops retail in the region of $70, but we are including it in the entry price for all 200 runners.  Prices have risen by $30 across all races, with Running Wild absorbing part of the cost of the shirts. The information package and entry forms have been updated accordingly.

The Running Wild committee is truly looking forward to this race.  Whilst the races we have put on thus far have been both challenging and varied, this race will be a combination of the best portions of all our races.  Entries open for Running Wild members on 01/02/2011 and general entries on 08/02/2011.


Cheers
Rod

Attached Files

•  draft concept Mt Sol adventure top.jpg   5.15K   77 downloads

[flyingemu]

rodthehornet, on 30 January 2011 - 06:59 PM, said:

An update on this race.  We have put together an inaugural Mt. Solitary Ultra adventure top.  Attached is a draft picture of the adventure top.  Note this will not be the final design as we will also use a photo incorporating the Three Sisters.  These tops retail in the region of $70, but we are including it in the entry price for all 200 runners.  Prices have risen by $30 across all races, with Running Wild absorbing part of the cost of the shirts. The information package and entry forms have been updated accordingly.

Do not like

[bmac]

Very tempting. How do I convince the family they need another trip to the blue mtns....Would be perfect between 6ft & TNF, but an awfully long day trip from Canberra.

[Front242]

flyingemu, on 31 January 2011 - 11:25 AM, said:

Do not like

Don't like it too  

[GarthMc]

Front242, on 31 January 2011 - 12:51 PM, said:

Don't like it too  

Really? I think the shirt looks great.

[Front242]

GarthMc, on 31 January 2011 - 01:40 PM, said:

Really? I think the shirt looks great.

it's not the design of the shirt. i don't like "Prices have risen by $30"
so it's $60 for us and 2 shirts more in .........
same happened at the 6ft registration, didn't like it either!

guess we will be there anyway (if we get a spot )

[Barefoot]

I hiked to Mt Solitary many years ago, starting at the Three Sisters Katoomba, took me all day to make the round trip.

Have never forgoten the experience, not ready for the 45km Ultra, so will take in part of the way this time in the 25km Challenge.

The timimg of this run is perfect, in between Canberra Marathon and SMH Half Marathon.

Best part it is on a public holiday - Anzac Day with the Easter Monday holiday on Tuesday for recovery.

My entry has been sent.

Edited by Barefoot, 01 February 2011 - 07:17 AM.