24 replies to this topic

[Grechy]

I am looking for any races in Australia (or NZ) that are point to point and feature a lot of downhill running.

I know about the Sutherland to Surf and I also Know about the Mountain to Surf in NZ but I am interested in knowing if there are any others out there.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[buzzlightyear]

The Brindy Classic (brindabella Classic) used to be a highlight for lots of suckers runnings who enjoys getting their quads smashed. Sadly, it ended about 4 years ago.

http://www.mountainr.../bclassic/2008/

54km of downhill (well, there is a slight 1km climb at half way, making it 53km down and 1km up..)

I don't know any other...

Have you looked at our runningWild's Kedumba Half marathon. Lots of down hill running...
http://www.runningwi...-half-marathon/

[crowpower]

There's the Hills to Henley 30km on in Adelaide this Sunday morning. It's all gradual downhill apart from a few undulations along the way, but nothing steep or long. The Greenbelt Half Marathon is a shorter version of the H2H.

The Torrens Discovery marathon in 1987 (and possibly 1988) fits your requirements well Grechy. Add 12km upstream to the H2H. Lots of PBs that day and sore bodies for the next six months. It's not on any more though.

[jdunc]

Woodford to Glenbrook 25km

The profile of the new Hume & Hovell 100 looks like there's a reasonable amount of down.



...and isn't Six Foot a 'net downhill' course ;P

[Grechy]

crowpower, on 26 July 2012 - 10:44 AM, said:

There's the Hills to Henley 30km on in Adelaide this Sunday morning. It's all gradual downhill apart from a few undulations along the way, but nothing steep or long. The Greenbelt Half Marathon is a shorter version of the H2H.

Do you know what the elevation is for either of these? I have looked at the maps but it doesn't say how many meters decline.

[Grechy]

Actually I have found the elevation for the Greenbelt. Its only about 80 meters. I am after something with a bit more of a decline. There is a marathon in Tucson Arizona that has a decline of about 600 meters. Now that would almost be worth spending 20 hours on a flight for someone like myself who is a pretty good downhill runner.

[meinmuk]

The Oxfam Trailwalker in Brisbane fits all of your criteria Grechy - point to point and lots of downhill running. There are a couple of uphills too...

[crowpower]

Yes, that would be about right. The start of these events at Athelstone PS looks to be just below 100m. The finish at Henley Beach is in the beach car park not far above sea level.

[42junkie]

In  my experience when you run downhill for a long time it ceases to feel like you are going downhill after a while. Some overseas races I have heard of, but not run, with a lot of downhill include California International Marathon in Sacramento and Pocatello Marathon in Idaho.

The best downhill running I have done was the second half of Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado, about seven thousand feet of almost continuous downhill, running downhill for three hours solid! Only drawback was that I had to get up there first.

The Martyrs Road race in Warburton was a nice, but short, downhill race. Not sure if it still happens. I believe there is a similar event in Dunedin, NZ.

[Grechy]

Brisbane TW would be out of the question. I only like road running, I am not interested in running 100km (yet) and I would never be able to find three other people who would put up with my sooking for that long.

Julia with the downhill running, I think its essential to do a lot of downhill training before you attempt the race otherwise it probably wont feel like its downhill after a while.

I am planning to do the Mountain to Surf marathon in NZ next year. That features a 460m decline over the entire course but I will be doing plenty of downhill reps during the months leading up to it. All things going well, four months later I might be doing the Pichi Richi which is the complete opposite!!!

[Falcon1]

Are you looking at downhill for getting a fast time. Running downhill has a big toll on my body, I personally don't like it and neither do my knees. Just curious.

I once read that the Chicago marathon was fairly downhill. Don't quote me on it as I have no idea

Edited by Falcon1, 30 July 2012 - 09:38 PM.

[redbackrun]

Mt Mee Classic marathon. this year was an up year(see image), next year downhill. part road - part trail  mt mee profile.jpg   190.61K   4 downloads

[MrD]

Oh I love a good downhill course.

Everyone has beaten me to my suggestions. I'm currently 2 out of 2 for the quickest descent of the Kedumba Half. Not really road but not far off. But as Buzz said, you then got to go back...

42 Junkie also beat me to another one. Pikes Peak is a classic.

The only other I've done is running down Mt Wellington in Hobart on the road during 3 Peaks race. That was a good ride.

Oh and BRING BACK THE BRINDY!!

[yeti]

42junkie, on 26 July 2012 - 02:01 PM, said:

Some overseas races I have heard of, but not run, with a lot of downhill include California International Marathon in Sacramento and Pocatello Marathon in Idaho.

Also Malta Marathon (-220m) and Loch Ness Marathon (-350m).
And of course Mt. Everest Marathon. Everest Basecamp is at ~5300m, Namche Bazaar at ~3600m IIRC - that makes ~1700m descent .

Yeti

[Caterpillar]

Falcon1, on 30 July 2012 - 09:37 PM, said:

I once read that the Chicago marathon was fairly downhill. Don't quote me on it as I have no idea

Chicago is relatively flat. See elevation profile at:
http://www.marathong...m?MIDD=67091011

[EXE]

The best downhill run is the Triple Tops in Tassie.  A point-to-point 19.5km with a savage 800m descent from Roland in the final 2km.  Andy Kromar has struggled to get to beat 2 hours despite being significanlty net downhill.

Next event is mid November.


EXE

[Ultra168]

Kepler Challenge South Island New Zealand has one of the great downhill sections - 50 odd switchbacks about 30kms into the race - like going over a cliff

[damyanos]

Yes, bring back Brindabella !
27k up, 27k down.
Or you could wuss out and do the Bulls Head Challenge, just the 27k down.
Track down Mick Corlis and tell him you want the Bulls Head Challenge back.

[Spud]

Brindy was special, that bus ride to the top of Mt Ginini, getting out in the frigid cold, no warm up and bang.. off you ran hurtling down down down.
Would love to race it again in my Hokas..that would be something.

Bring back Brindy here too!!

[Tuttle]

Grechy, on 26 July 2012 - 01:14 PM, said:

Actually I have found the elevation for the Greenbelt. Its only about 80 meters. I am after something with a bit more of a decline. There is a marathon in Tucson Arizona that has a decline of about 600 meters. Now that would almost be worth spending 20 hours on a flight for someone like myself who is a pretty good downhill runner.

I ran Tucson a couple of years ago - ran 10 mins slower than I had at Boston and 11 mins slower than Phoenix, both of which I'd run earlier than year; I wasn't in crash-hot form, but the Tucson course is not as fast as they claim.  Also, much of the course is run on a pretty busy highway (that is not closed).

Cheers,
Chris

[Grechy]

Falcon1, on 30 July 2012 - 09:37 PM, said:

Are you looking at downhill for getting a fast time. Running downhill has a big toll on my body, I personally don't like it and neither do my knees. Just curious.

I am not really looking for a fast time, more just trying to answer some questions that I have been asking myself. When I ran the GOR half marathon last year, I ran 3 minute kms on the downhills and 5 min kms on the uphills. I passed everyone on the downhills and they caught me going up and this repeated for the entire race. I have always wondered if I really do have some ability as a downhill runner or perhaps its just something that's part of my imagination. I want to do a race that is mostly downhill so I can find out for sure.

I have always had the Mountain to Surf in NZ on my bucket list and I decided to finally commit to it. If I can run a time that is way better than I would run on a flat course then I will know that I have some ability as a downhill runner. If I run a time that is about the same as I would be expected to run on a flat course then I will know that it's all in my head and that I was kidding myself all along.

I plan do to a lot of downhill training as it gets closer to race day. If I do run a great time then I will be looking for other downhill options but they will have to be on road and I would prefer a race in Australia or NZ.

I would love to do Tucson but I would not think that I will ever get the chance. NZ is a bit easier/convenient.

[KatieR]

The Fernleigh 15 on October 21st from Adamstown to Belmont NSW near Newcastle.

I dont know the course but this is on Coolrunning about the run " The first 2km are a slow, gradual ascent, then it is flat for 1km , 2km of gradual, very gradual ascent and then 10km of gradual downhill..."

[Paul Every]

Spud, on 31 July 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:

Brindy was special, that bus ride to the top of Mt Ginini, getting out in the frigid cold, no warm up and bang.. off you ran hurtling down down down.
Would love to race it again in my Hokas..that would be something.

Bring back Brindy here too!!

Another vote for a return of Brindy!

Definitely prefer the traditional Mt Ginini/Mt Franklin/Cotter course to the later Cotter/Bulls Head/Cotter edition.

I think it was '91 when we started with snow covering the ground and biting winds before finishing in the heat.

[buzzlightyear]

MrD, on 30 July 2012 - 10:26 PM, said:

  I'm currently 2 out of 2 for the quickest descent of the Kedumba Half.

36minutes for first 10km descent...thats SICK!!!!

[Bandanna]

Paul Every, on 01 August 2012 - 12:10 PM, said:

Spud, on 31 July 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:

Brindy was special, that bus ride to the top of Mt Ginini, getting out in the frigid cold, no warm up and bang.. off you ran hurtling down down down.
Would love to race it again in my Hokas..that would be something.

Bring back Brindy here too!!

Another vote for a return of Brindy!

Definitely prefer the traditional Mt Ginini/Mt Franklin/Cotter course to the later Cotter/Bulls Head/Cotter edition.

I think it was '91 when we started with snow covering the ground and biting winds before finishing in the heat.

Another vote for the traditional course!! The bus ride up Mt Ginini (complete with portaloo in tow, hilarious), the violin playing kids on the fire trail, the changing scenery (from freezing conditions at the top to desert wasteland), the weir crossing and the cool refreshing stream at the reserve finish all made for a memorable 53km. I miss Brindy.