• 54 km for individuals and teams of 2, 3, or 4
• Contact - Trevor Jacobs 254 7177 (h)
• 8.30 am Sunday 9 th November 1997
• Open to Individuals and Relay Teams

Race HQ:
Race Headquarters is adjacent to the Cotter Reserve Hotel, located approximately 20 minutes drive west of Canberra (refer to 'Directions to Race Start' below).

Start:
Summit of Mt Ginini, which is approximately 90 mins drive by car from Race HQ (refer to "Directions to Race HQ" below) depending on road and weather conditions.

Finish:
At Race HQ, Cotter Reserve.

Course:
54 Km of mainly bush roads and tracks, with some rough terrain including steep descents. The course has a net fall of 1300m. There are, however, several long gradual climbs, as well as some short sharp climbs. Much of the race is at high altitude (up to 1762m) and some sections are very exposed and the weather is changeable.

Entries:
The event is open to all individual runners who are satisfactorily trained to safely complete this gruelling 54 Km event, and to relay teams. The minimum age for individual runners is 18 years.

Relays:
Relay teams of 2, 3 or 4 are invited to participate (please refer below for information on team categories). Approximate distances of the relay legs are 8.7, 17.8, 17.4 and 9.9 Km respectively. The nominated contact person for the team will receive all the necessary details prior to the event, including a map.

Entries:
Entries close 26 October 1997.
Late Entries are accepted between 5.30 and 6.30am at Race HQ on race day (but please do not enter too close to the 6.30am deadline).

Race Fee:
Individuals $40.00 and relay teams $40.00 per team.

Time Limits:
Complete the course in 7 hrs, and you must reach Bulls Head (about half way) within 3 hrs 20 mins or you may be withdrawn from the event. Your progress throughout the race will be monitored at race HQ and if it is judged that insufficient progress is being made in relation to your likely finishing time, or if you appear too distressed, you may be withdrawn from the event.

Presentation:
Presentation of awards will commence at about 2.30 pm on race day at Race HQ.

Transport:
Transport by bus will be provided from Race HQ to the start at Mt Ginini for runners indicating that they require transport on the entry form. The cost is $10.00 per person. Transport will depart at 6.30 am sharp. Private transport to the start is possible (see directions below). Please book your seat early and do not rely on spare seats being available on the day as there may not be any. This also helps the organisers to make appropriate bus arrangements.

Facilities:
At Race HQ there is a hotel, milk bar, toilets, playground, BBQ and picnic facilities. Masseurs from the Om Shanti School of Tactile Therapies will be available for a rub down after the race. There is a toilet at Bulls Head, approximately 25 Km before Mt Ginini. Buses to the start will stop briefly at this point to provide relief. At the start there are no toilets but plenty of bush; please cover deposits with rocks or twigs.

Aid Stations:
There will be 10 aid stations supplying water and limited first aid. Food such as fruit and jelly beans will also be provided, as well as any special drinks (see below).

Special:
Special drinks and food bags are catered for, provided that they are lodged at Race HQ before 6.30 am on race day. These items must be clearly labelled with your race number, and lodged in the crates marked for each aid station.

Race Control:
All runners are requested to assist the organisers by clearly displaying their race number at all times (front and back) and ensuring that their race number has been registered at every aid station with the attendants. The progress of every runner will be monitored at Race HQ via radio communication with every aid station, to prevent as far as possible, a runner becoming lost.

Spectator Access:
Spectators can gain access by car most readily to drink stations 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10 (refer to the course map which will be posted out with final race instructions).

Litter:
Please do not litter at all in any area, as most of the run is in a Nature Reserve. Drop cups etc. In the special receptacle located just past each aid station. If you have to drop litter elsewhere, please do so at or near the aid stations where it can be easily seen and collected. Do NOT throw it in the bush, as this may threaten the conduct of future events.

Traffic:
The roads used by the runners in this event are not closed to traffic, but most are seldom used. However, caution must always be exercised by runners at all times, particularly when crossing the main Cotter Road (bitumen) just before the finish as this road can be very busy.

Distress:
If an entrant becomes aware of another runner in distress or requiring assistance in any way, then please provide help to the best of your ability and notify an aid station attendant. Any entrant who withdraws from the event is requested to immediately notify an aid station attendant, and arrangements for transport back to Race HQ can then be made.

Race Cancellation:
In the event of bad weather (there could be heavy snow or deep river crossings) the organisers reserve the right to cancel the race at short notice; although this has not yet been necessary in the history of the race, it should not be ruled out.

Final Instructions/Race Numbers:
Final instructions and race numbers will be posted to entrants about one week prior to the event (this will be the only indication that your entry has been received). A course map will also be provided.

Directions:
From Canberra, drive west along the Cotter Road to Race HQ, Pass Casuarina Sands on the right, and cross the Murrumbidgee River over the wooden bridge.

Start:
Turn right onto the Brindabella Road a few hundred metres past the river. Follow this road for 7 Km and turn left at a T-junction to keep you on Brindabella Road Follow this road for 15 Km until you reach an intersection named Picadilly Circus Turn left at this intersection onto the Mt Franklin road, which takes you past Bulls Head Shelter and onto the start area at the summit of Mt Ginini. Allow 90 minutes to get from Race HQ to the Race Start.

Directions:
From Canberra, after crossing the Murrumbidgee River (see above) do not turn right onto the Brindabella Road, but continue on straight along Paddy's River Road for 1 Km and cross the Cotter River (The Cotter Hotel is immediately on your left and the race finishes at the Race HQ behind the Finish) hotel, adjacent to the river. Allow 30 minutes to get from Canberra to Race HQ.

WARNING:
THIS IS A VERY LONG (54 Km) AND ARDUOUS EVENT, WITH MUCH OF IT RUN AT HIGH ALTITUDE (UP TO 1762 metres). IT COVERS ROUGH TERRAIN AND INCLUDES STEEP DESCENTS, SHARP CLIMBS AND RIVER CROSSINGS. SECTIONS OF THE COURSE ARE VERY EXPOSED AND THE WEATHER IS CHANGEABLE. RUNNERS MUST BE ADEQUATELY PREPARED TO SAFELY COPE WITH THESE CONDITIONS. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO COPE WITH THESE CONDITIONS THEN YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED NOT TO ENTER.

Enquiries:
Peter Johnson 06 257 8284 h
Trevor Jacobs 06 254 7177 h

VOLUNTARY DONATION TO CHARITY
We are again raising money for the ACT and Region Disabled Sports Association. Your support has been tremendous raising more than $2000 over the last three years. A receipt (for tax purposes) will be issued with your race results. It is also worth noting that the Disabled Association kindly assist runners by managing the last aid station. To make a donation, simply enter the amount on the entry form and include the amount with the entry fee.

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