Newcastle
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The Basics
Newcastle is the capital of the Hunter Valley and is the sixth largest city in Australia. It is sited on a working harbour at the mouth of the Hunter River. Being a coastal town (although it is a city many of the locals still consider it to be a large town) it has a number of beautiful beaches and beachside suburbs. At the southern end is Lake Macquarie, Australia's largest coastal salt water lake.
Newcastle is only a short drive north of Sydney and is easily accessed by rail as well.
More info can be found on the More Wikipedia page and the tourist information page.
Running Tracks
Hunter Sports Centre
This is a new (1999) sports stadium built in Glendale, a suburb of Newcastle in the Lake Macquarie local government area. It is an athletics track, houses a gymnasium, does kids parties, touch footy etc. Track available for use for a small fee, but best to phone ahead to make sure that there isn't a school carnival on or something similar.
Contact Details
Hunter Sports Centre
Stockland Drive, GLENDALE NSW 2285
PO Box 3187, GLENDALE NSW 2285
Ph: (02) 49 53 6366
Fax (02) 49 53 6587
Email: info@hsc.org.au
http://www.hsc.org.au/
Newcastle Athletic Field
This is a part of the national Park sporting complex. It is an older track that has seen better days but is still quite serviceable. The Newcastle Vets Athletic Club (see clubs below) have events there weekly.
Other Places
Here is the Newcastle Council's list of sports fields and parks:
Places To Run
The Fernleigh Track
Blackbutt Reserve
Merewether
The Great North Walk
The Northern end of this walk is in Newcastle. Some useful links below.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_North_Walk
- http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking/general/list-of-walks.html?groupid=20
- http://www.john.chapman.name/nsw-nth.html
Glenrock
I need to put more in here. Glenrock is a large state forest with many tracks and trails ranging from large firetrails to something that maybe an echidna walked along once. Many bushwalkers, runners and mountain bikers use this forest. Part of the Great North Walk goes through here as well.
Running Clubs & Groups
Newcastle Veterans Athletics Club
Website: http://www.newcastlevac.com/index.html
Newcastle Vets have a meet once per week of a Tuesday evening comprising of a longer event (2.4-5km) and a middle distance event (600-1500m).
Newcastle Cross Country
The Newcastle Cross Country Club (NXC) conducts cross country running events in the Newcastle region from April through to the end of August. Most of the events are organised by NXC club members and affiliated clubs. Any member is eligible to run in any event and you can join on the day.
The program offers a variety of types of competition for people with different interests. Normally three events are held each week:
- The short run is usually between 1 and 3.5 km
- The medium run is usually between 4 and 7 km
- The long run is usually between 6 and 12km
More details on the NCX schedule which can usually be found on the Newcastle Vets website.
Newcastle Hash House Harriers
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/newcastlehhh/
It has oft been said that "if you have half a mind to join Hash - that's all you need". Hashers are often said to be "Drinkers with a running problem."
Informal Running Group
There is a group of runners that meets 5:30pm on Mon, Wed and Fri evenings and on a Sun morning at 7am at the Charlestown pool for a trail run. Runs done are:
- Monday = hills reps, about 8-10kms
- Wednesday = Intervals about 8-12kms depending on your ability
- Friday = tempo or easy run along to Merewether return, as far as you like up to 11kms
- Sundays = 7am at Charlestown pool for a trail run in Glenrock, 1.5 hours plus, about 6 minutes per km minimum pace
