99 replies to this topic

[Baldric]

Just discovered this new event from the stables of Rohan. Website still in development, but the interim map is clear:

http://www.rollercoasterrun.com/

[DianeE]

OMG - Fabulous!  Most of my favourite trails out there!

Izzy, where are you?  A race in your backyard!

D.

[Kathymac]

Looks brilliant.

Hope it doesn't clash with the Prom run.

[Baldric]

Kathymac, on 13 December 2011 - 05:16 PM, said:

Looks brilliant.

Hope it doesn't clash with the Prom run.

Is there a Prom Run?

The AURA website calendar says

cancelled Wilsons Promontory    
organiser Paul Ashton

[KevM]

A trail run event in the magical Dandenongs; can't go wrong.
With Rohan as RD you can count on a slick operation and well marked too.
Nice to see the course off to the North; a bit away from the usual 1000 steps Lyrebird track area.
Will be a great event.

[KiaKaha]

hmmm i like it a lot the trails will be fine for me i think

See you there

[cjr]

How far is 1 loop?

[DiJ]

Excellent, that's exactly where I play when I go for a Sinday long run in the Dandes, gee I hope it's down Channel 10 Track, going uo's just nasty.

[Kathymac]

Baldric, on 13 December 2011 - 06:01 PM, said:

Is there a Prom Run?

The AURA website calendar says

cancelled Wilsons Promontory    
organiser Paul Ashton

It is looking good although it probably will not be the same course as previously.

Parks have said that they expect pretty much all tracks in the south to be open by New Year with the exception of the one from Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove. Sealers Cove would still be accessible through Refuge Cove.

So looking good for something to be workable for the usual time of late April/early May.

Fingers crossed

[Cl@rkey]

cjr, on 13 December 2011 - 07:31 PM, said:

How far is 1 loop?

I can help..... a little....

A single loop is going to be somewhere between 23 & 25km.
In discussion with Parks Vic, there are a few options being thrown around, as those who know the area will be aware of a couple of bridges still requiring repair, so final course will be dependent on the progress of repairs.
The course on the website is the one that does not use the damaged bridges. It is safe to train on that course. Follow it clockwise.

[rohan]

The current loop on the website is 21.5km, however if the Dandenong Creek trail reopens in time we can rejig the course to get 23km or so.  If the bridge on Edgar track also gets repaired then more options open up.
Whatever the case, training on the currently publicized loop is very relevant and incorporates a lot of what will be used on event day.

----
Got back to my car, after plodding around the course on Sunday and found a nice note from Kudu.  Thanks
-----

Edit to add link to Garmin file/map.
Unfortunately it has a 200m spur off the route around 9.5km into the run... Don't do that. Otherwise all correct.
http://connect.garmi...m/course/347438

Edited by rohan, 19 December 2011 - 06:32 PM.

[Baldric]

Will there be prerequisites for entering these events?

[Cl@rkey]

This hasn't been discussed in any detail, but given the nature of the course being a loop and the close proximity to a number of 'exit' points if required there is a slightly reduced requirement to ensure all runners are off the course or past a certain point by a certain time.
So for the 1 loop version its unlikely, or any requirements are going to be easily covered by anyone that has been running for a bit and has some trail running history. For the 2 loop version it may be different, or there may be cut-off points on the 2nd loop to allow marshals and volunteers to have some certainty about the length of time their generosity will be required.

BUT...... this is not a flat run. There are not many sections that would be considered purely technical but the trails aren't paved and groomed either.
It is not called the Rollercoaster for no reason.....

[vulture]

rohan, on 19 December 2011 - 05:51 AM, said:

The current loop on the website is 21.5km, however if the Dandenong Creek trail reopens in time we can rejig the course to get 23km or so.  If the bridge on Edgar track also gets repaired then more options open up.
Whatever the case, training on the currently publicized loop is very relevant and incorporates a lot of what will be used on event day.


Gees mate...good luck with dandy creek trail reopening in time. It's been shut for forever it seems.
-----

[rohan]

Quote

Gees mate...good luck with dandy creek trail reopening in time. It's been shut for forever it seems.

I've been advised that its on the works schedule.  When they can get to it is the next question.

[goingpostal]

i will definately be in for this one.....starting to love the trails....

[DandyRunner]

Fantastic to hear that Rohan has selected my backyard to for his next, to what can only become a brilliant event!
The Roller Coaster, I promise you, is over some pretty steep hills, and goes through ALWAYS hilly terrain. It is on the west side of Mount Dandenong, giving you plenty of opportunity for some spectacular glances of Melbourne city. If you want to try out your legs, or just get out of the "flat" city, this is the event for you.

As it slots in straight after the Oxfam Trailwalker, Gilda and myself will be out lurking to snap you in action. Check out our photos after the event   .

Enjoy the ride!!

Edited by DandyRunner, 19 January 2012 - 02:25 PM.

[Cl@rkey]

We had planned on having a trolley to get early entrants to the top of the biggest climbs, but with the GFC mk2 the budget won't stretch that far so you will just have to train for them.

Don't forget to join the facebook group for this event, as it is likely to be one of the main sources of information and updates as they occur.
Paticularly with regard to when entries will be opening --- which is getting closer as each official piece of the puzzle comes together.

[rohan]

Entries are now open.

http://www.rollercoa...m/iEntries.html

[qwen]

rohan, on 28 January 2012 - 12:49 AM, said:

Entries are now open.

http://www.rollercoa...m/iEntries.html

Would have gone for the Fairy Floss Entry to save some money but since you posted this after it closed will have to stump up the additional cash.

Now just have to decide if I can do the 43km just 1 week after Trailwalker. Might just have to call it a recovery run.

[rohan]

I spammed everyone on the Two Bays list so they had an opportunity, or at least mentioned the special in the Thursday Two Bays newsletter. Might have missed some?

[qwen]

OK I'm in for the 43km.  

[maryclaire]

I'm in for the long one.  I like Question 18.  

[M12]

If I get clearance to start running before march, Ill enter this one, looks a ripper of a course...

[ChildeRolandToTheDarkTowerCame]

I'm in for the long one, too! I'm starting to get a bit scared about it, due to my lack of long runs. I had to pull the plug 4km in to my run last weekend due to a glute problem acquired during the Two Bays 28 km. I'm hoping tomorrow's run will be more successful.

[Wobbler]

After having such a ball at the 28km Two Bays Trail Run a few weeks ago, I've gotta do this one. Time to step up to the 43kms me thinks.

[Kathymac]

I checked out the course on Australia Day and it's a very nice course over some varied terrain. Uphill, downhill, some technical bits and some really fast sections. I think my fave part of the course is Banksia Track which is through some really nice ferny forest.
Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to race it because I will probably be working that day but I will be thinking of you all out there having a good time.

[Wobbler]

Will there be a medal to look forward to at the end of this run Rohan? The 2Bays Trail medal was AWESOME by the way!!!

[rohan]

Wobbler, on 30 January 2012 - 01:35 PM, said:

Will there be a medal to look forward to at the end of this run Rohan? The 2Bays Trail medal was AWESOME by the way!!!

That is the plan.

[lyricnz]

Hmmm, this is the week after Trailwalker?  Hmmm....

[Spectre]

Yeah the week after TW, as fun as it looks I doubt my legs would be very co-operative.....

[Tabatha]

Brunch at SkyHigh sounds cool. I'm in.

[qwen]

Did a lap on Sunday

This is a very nice course with lots and lots of ups and downs. The tracks are quite good except for one very steep downhill where the footing isn't great and will become extremely tricky in wet weather. Missed a few ks at about the 11km mark and still clocked over 21km..

Might have gone off course towards the end as well as the track I found to get back to the start was a bit overgrown and narrow and would have done a goat proud.

Hopefully all those hills will have helped for Maroondah Dam on Sunday.

[rohan]

qwen, on 13 February 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

Might have gone off course towards the end as well as the track I found to get back to the start was a bit overgrown and narrow and would have done a goat proud.

Nope you probably found the right one there.
Technical 0.5 track as it got described on the facebook group.
Trig track.

[Tabatha]

That medal design is just a bad joke, right? Please, please tell me it's just a bad joke??

[DianeE]

Kathymac, on 13 December 2011 - 05:16 PM, said:

Looks brilliant.

Hope it doesn't clash with the Prom run.

Prom run has now becom the Delatite Dash and it's on the next day. So sadly a choice must be made

[lyricnz]

Just signed up for the short run. Will be my first trail run, two weeks after a marathon, and the day before a 15km event. Sweet

[Wobbler]

Tabatha, on 22 February 2012 - 07:32 PM, said:

That medal design is just a bad joke, right? Please, please tell me it's just a bad joke??

I reckon it looks fantastic.

[cjr]

Just wondering how many entries are left for the 2 lapper? Would like to leave my decison as late as possible but would also hate to miss out....

[rohan]

Plenty right now, and there's only an overall cap of 500.
Will post something if we're down to the last 100.

[barefootjim]

So tempting, might have to pop over from Perth

[rohan]

If you're popping over from Perth then the Dandenongs has a lot of accom, but it tends to be of the romantic (not cheap) variety.  Though we've really enjoyed staying out there for anniversaries etc.
-------
Early entry period ends this Saturday March 11th

[barefootjim]

So no camping? I might have to do the old park bench one nighter

[philk]

<sub>I'm considering the 2 lapper but will also delay my entry for now.

I'll be visiting from Sydney. Did live in the Dandenongs for 2 years back in the '90s & look forward to running on the trails</sub>

[Cl@rkey]

We're hearing from some who have been getting out on the course that there have been some trees down on in the area.
In particular the one that nearly dropped on Rohan and Katrina at the Doongalla Picnic ground.
Still able to skirt around the mesh fence to access Stables Track

Also some confusion over School Track off Range Rd/Track, it is only signed as Horse Trail, but there is a confirmation sign further down to reassure that it is School Track.


So what do people think will be a quality completion time for the event? 1 lap or 2??

[Emrun]

Cl@rkey, on 15 March 2012 - 08:32 PM, said:

So what do people think will be a quality completion time for the event? 1 lap or 2??

For the one lap, anyone finishing under 1:30 should have their DNA collected and given to a mad scientist who can use it to create a race of super trail runners.

They should then be sent back out on to the course to piggy back me to the finish line

[rohan]

very few people are going sub 2hrs for one loop, but you could go slower than that and still feel pretty chuffed with what  you'd done.

If someone can do two loops in under 4hrs then I start to get really impressed.

This is all very much front end stuff though.

[Tabatha]

Done the course twice now, and I'm hooked.

Not for the half-hearted, is it?

I sure will have earned that brunch!

[Cl@rkey]

Go to the facebook group for details of a group run being informally organised on Easter Monday if you are keen to see some or all of the course before event day.
http://www.facebook....53575234668825/

Entries continue to build, so far there looks like a fairly large number who could end up with shoe vouchers from Mizuno for making the podium.
There are no truly obvious front runners in both distances, even more so in the ladies events.
This means that some who would normally consider themselves 'back of front pack' might be pleasantly surprised.

Of course, this could all change in coming weeks if we get an influx of whippets and mountain goats!!!

I have been lucky to see the physical samples of medals and race bibs etc -- all excellent in design and quality.

Just more than 3 weeks till the ride begins!!!

[Tabatha]

That group run could be fun, but I'm gonna wimp out because of the weather forecast.

Hail and thunder are OK on race day, but not for a training run!