24 replies to this topic

[KevinCassidy]

Nigel Aylott [race director]looks like having a larger field than usual this year for the Maroondah Dam Trail event.

He is keen to recruit a few more helpers.

If you can help, please contact him on 9885 2544  or  nigel_aylott@mail.com

A lovely day out in one of the countries prized beauty spots is assured

[Pasty]

More info :

The race is just outside of Melbourne near the town of Healesville, the date is 22nd February.  If you can spare a few hours helping out it would be appreciated by athletes competing in the 30km and 50km trail runs.

Pasty

[lebusqp]

They were grading the nos.11/12 tracks today. that is the section from the water tank to Donnelly's Weir - 6k of downhill.

[RMC]

lebusqp.
I thought that part of track was in pretty good shape last Wed when I ran it. I'm surprised they needed to grade it.   :unsure:  

I had visions of the Maroondah Dam track up to Mt Saint Leonard being very rocky, something similar to the trail in the Warrumbungles (NSW), but found it was a lot smoother to run on. The Warrumbungle marathon last October was quite difficult to get footing with lots of rocks (up and down hill).

[lebusqp]

RMC, the only rough bit is the middle section of the summit tack after you leave no.11 at the water tank. to make the course more challenging i like to follow the walking track sections that leave the main track. the 1st of these is at the no11/12 junction,it's just a short detour. the other one is as you approach the only downhill. the walking track goes off to the left and is quite challenging rising up above no.11 track before dropping down to meet it. another add-on is to run up Henderson hill at the Healesville end of the reservoir park. yesterday i just did the straight climb from Donnelly's Wier via no12 and 11 track then up the summit track from the water tank,8.5k/900m. from the summit i ran down the access road to Monda rd. down Monda rd. to the start of no.11 and back to the water tank and then back the way i came. this is 12.5k and i can sustain a hard pace all the way because it is pretty smooth. i use this course for hard timed efforts. if i'm just wanting a tough long steep run i'll start at Maroondah and use the variations i mentioned.   B)

[lactatehead]

I am tempted to have a go at this as part of my marathon build up (an overdistance training run). Does anyone have any experience of running this event whilst building up for Canberra?

[KevinCassidy]

Whatever you do, don't unwittingly stray into the off limits catchment area and get caught by a ranger...Which is what happened to me last Tuesday in the Maroondah Dam area!!!

I was driven out by the ranger and details taken....I am expecting to hear more about it.

[lebusqp]

Kevin,after the story i told you the other week i'd have thought you would have dived into the scrub and buried yourself in leaf litter. i was told by somebody who should know that it is very hard for them to prove you trespassed unless they can show intent. so play dumb!   ;)

[RMC]

lebusqp.
There are certainly at lot of variations to the main road 11/12 route. I did see other walking tracks near the water tank but didn't want to stray for fear of getting lost. Didn't have a map and 1st time to the area. Certainly will be back there for more variations as I am getting bored of my trail routes around home.

[red1]

Kevin Cassidy - -naughty boy. I too got caught by the ranger when I was riding my MTB completely unaware I too had strayed into the catchment area. Fine was $150. I appealed on the grounds of poor signage . . . and lost and had to cough up. Not happy JAN.  :angry:

[KevinCassidy]

Red1, if you are who I think you are, a red head whose initials are JM, then I have already heard a second hand version of your MTB incident.  L

Lebusqep....It was not that simple, a few things in the lead up has me firmly believing that I was stalked and set up for the kill, so to speak.  The rangers vehicle was parked behind a tree with the engine off and the ranger himself was hovering beside one of the water tanks on a bend.  There is much more to this story but I shall tell you face to face sometime down the track.

[Jogger]

I feel a bit nervous posting items to this thread, that are not really to do with the race as such, but I'll continue.

I know a few people been hit with fines in the Blue Mtns area in NSW (mainly parts of the Warragamba catchment). You need to read the signs carefully. Some of them allow foot access (running is ok) but MTB definitely not. Most people get done for MTB and the signs are VERY obvious so hard to wriggle out of it. I had heard that some areas previously open to pedestrians have been shut off entirely due to terrorist paranoia fer gawd's sake!

[Black Hole]

Shame Kevin Cassidy Shame!!

I can't believe you couldn't out run the beer swilling porky guts ranger!

In a similar situation I found some skillful navigation down rabbit tracks leaves the rangers dumbfounded!

I believe the penalty these days is $500 and 3 week ban from the park where the offence took place.

[Pasty]

Can anyone tell me which map(s) covers the Maroondah Dam/ Mt St. Leonard area?

thanks
Pasty

[red1]

Kevin Cassidy what a sleuth you are!  B)

[RMC]

Just got back from my 2nd visit to Maroondah Dam trails. As the road was still closed (due to roadworks) north of Healesville and will be each day this week from 10am, I headed back to Maroondah Dam for another assault on Mt Saint Leonard.

UP run took 1hr 50min (some walking), DOWN run took 1hr 17min. A bit overcast this morning which prevented views, but certainly an easier run than last week. Must be close to 30k all up from the Dam wall to the summit and return.

Pasty.
Topographical maps Juliet North and South is what you are after.

Red1/KevinCassidy.
Didn't see the ranger but did see a 4 wheel drive today lurking around the trails. I think I'll stick to the main trail to avoid getting any fines.

[Pasty]

RMC, thanks.
Give me a shout if you head up there anytime midweek again, I may join you.
Pasty

[RMC]

If somebody has run the course before can you clarify one point please.

Upon reaching the GATE to the summit of Mt Saint Leonard, do you actually run up to the summit (ie. the tower) or just continue down the road, ending up to road 11 turnoff left?

The course description only says ".. from the gate go over Mt Saint Leonard", it doesn't say how or whether to go to the tower?

[Black Hole]

RMC, I have run a few times and the answer to your question is  the course goes from the St. leonard gate straight up the rough steep rocky trail to the summit and not on the smooth flatter road to the left. Having said that I was once beaten by a runner who was 10 meters in front of me at the gate who incorrectly took the road whereas I took the track to the top. I never saw him again and he beat me by 4 mins.

[RMC]

Thanks Black Hole.
Didn't see the rough rocky trail, only the smooth road to the tower.

Pasty.
Unlikely to get back to Mt St Leonard this week, legs probably need a break from it anyway. Smaller undulating runs near home over the next week.

[pbig]

RMC, the route up Mt. St.Leonard is nothing that you would recognize as a trail - it's straight up the clearing (grass, rubble, boulders) in almost a direct line of sight from the gate to the tower. Once at the top, you travel in an anti-clockwise direction down the access road then turn right at Track 11.

pbig

[lebusqp]

RMC, the trail variations i mentioned ARE very much LEGAL so don't be afraid to try them. They are actually marked as public walking tracks.Most of the tracks you aren't allowed use have gates and signs clearly telling you not to enter. there are a few tracks that have only obscure little signs that are easily missed. No.12 track for instance starts as being access allowed as far as Condons Track then is closed until Donn.Wier then open again to meet no.11 up the hill - quite confusing!! Kevin, i'm guessing you won't be running the Riddell-Donna 42k for a while.

[KevinCassidy]

Correct.  That is the biggest shame.  For 10 years, I have felt as if that trail was my own property.  Now I can't return.

Tomorrow will be a few hours on the St. Leonard trail....a final hill run before I struggle through Maroondah Dam number 10

[lebusqp]

I was under close observation when training on Friday up the Mt.Riddell track. Obviously the rangers are keen to ensure no runner POLLUTES the catchment zone. Patrolling the tracks in their 4WD should do the trick!  :rolleyes:

[KevinCassidy]

Did he have short grey hair and beady eyes?....not to mention his 4WD with "South West Truck Rentals" on the side