Black Snake Trail Race, Cairns/Tablelands (Sunday 21 April 2013)
Race Director: Lorraine Lawson
Practice Run: 07 April 2013 – Bring all your own gear for the day – water, snacks, compression bandage
For an interactive map, go to EveryTrail.
Training Run on 15 April.
The second of four races in the FNQ Trail Running series, this race is named after what is probably the most common snake seen in the rainforest. The Red-bellied Black Snake is often just called the Black Snake by Far North Queenslanders, who spot it frequently laying on trails basking in the sun. It’s not aggressive, and while its bite is considered dangerous, it is unlikely to result in death!
- Clohesy River Road
From picturesque Copperlode Dam this 34km trail run starts with a 400m sprint down a hill and across the dam wall. The cool of the rainforest helps with the steep 3.5km climb which leads up onto the Atherton Tablelands. The route follows along Clohesy River Road for 13km amongst lush rainforest, past a large cathedral fig tree. (The half marathon turn around). After 2km the rainforest gives way to eucalypts and the course takes a left turn onto Shoteel Road. After crossing over Clohesy, a rough 4WD track rises steeply for 2km from an elevation of 414m to 635m, before descending down into Bridle Creek Valley. The calls of the male cicadas in this area during summer are deafening. There are also some good views over the Tablelands. A small creek is a welcoming site after the harsh, hot, open eucalyptus-forested section. At approximately 22km the track turns left into Bridle Creek Road with rainforest and cool, clear creeks prominent along this section. Ascending steeply from Bridle Creek Valley the road climbs to the highest point of the course (744m at the 28km mark). After yet another steep descent and ascent, with numerous side roads leading to power line towers, the road reaches a gate that leads back onto Clohesy River Road.
A right turn leads into a steep incline of 400m to some great panoramic views of the rainforest around Lamb’s Head and the canyons of the upper Freshwater Creek Valley. After another 300m the Water Board gate allows access back down to the dam. A quick run back down the hill, across the dam wall and up the other side leads to the finish at the Lake Morris Kiosk.
E-mail has been from Japan.
I learned that in Kuranda to Port Douglas Trail Race 64k in the web site.
Does this race will be many people participated?
Please tell me the size of the race.
Hi Masaru, at the moment there are about 20 competitors doing the full 64km.
Hi Lorraine – a quick query….is the Misty Mountains half marathon, planned for Sept 18th still a goer? It doesn’t seem to feature on some of the calendars so I was wondering if it has been cancelled. Cheers, Sala.
Hi Sala, YES! I’ve just been too busy to also update the website, sorry. Entry form on the Events – Road Runs pages. It’s not a Cairns Road Runners Event, but we are supporting Alan Courtney, who is the race director.
Great – thanks Lorraine. I’ll drop into Cairns Family Chiropractic on Monday and submit my entry form/payment. My first ever half marathon – hooray!
How exciting, Sala. Sorry we’ve not caught up since you’ve been back! I’m not going to be there, but I’ll be thinking of you – all the best!
What is the cutoff time for the ultra and half?
Hi Mal, not sure which event you mean – the 64km and 21km of the It’s Extreme Kuranda to Port Douglas has no cut offs. The 74km Ultra on 12 November,which is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival, has a cut off at the top of the Bump, 57km into the race – you have 9 hours to get there. I’m not involved in the 21km race, and don’t know about any cut offs. You’ll need to contact the race organisers.
Hi Lorraine
I heard that this race was on this year and I have just read the reviews in the AURA magazine. I’d love to incorporate a family holiday in Cairns/Port Douglas with this race next year.
I am not a trail runner. Do you need trail running shoes for this run or will standard running shoes suffice?
Kind regards
Dave
That’s great news, Dave. We are all very excited about 2012 and it will be great to have you and your family along. Regular road running shoes will do fine. Most of the race is on dirt roads. Online entries open early January so you can be super organised! Lorraine
Awesome – thanks Lorraine
What’s the cutoff time for Mt Haig 45K?
Hi Shobun, we encourage participation in our events, and welcome anyone along who wants to have a go! So no cut off for any of our events at this point in time. We’ll be there at the finish waiting, when you come in. The race director reserves the right to pull competitors off the course as required – this is to ensure the safety of all competitors and volunteers.
Can we upload a map of tomorrow’s training run please ?
Map of the area – does not show course. I have mud maps to hand out tomorrow at the run.
Hi there,
Looking at coming down to Cairns from PNG for the black snake run, is it open to anyone?? Cheers,
Rhys
Hi Rhys, yes we’d love to have you along. Enter before the ‘late fee’ kicks in on 19/4/2012 9:00 PM. Entries closes on 27/4/2012 9.00PM, no late or on the day entries. Entry fees vary, depending on distance. For independent runners it is as follows:
Distance Standard Late
10km $ 25.00 $ 30.00
21km $ 35.00 $ 40.00
34km $ 40.00 $ 50.00
Hi
I’m here from Canada wondering about running the 21 km black snake run on April 29.. Do I need anything special, should we be self supported ( own water etc. ) or are there drink stops? How many people usually run in this? Do I need snake bite kit or anything? Is the trail very wet this time of year? Is there cut off times?Sorry for so many questions. Thank you.
Steph
Hi Steph, always happy to help out!
Do I need anything special – just a hydrations system for example a small water bottle.
Should we be self supported ( own water etc. ) or are there drink stops? Water provided at 2.5km; 5km and 10km. No cups. If you want anything else, you can leave it in the drop box going to the turn around at the Fig Tree.
How many people usually run in this? This is the second year, we had over 50 competitors in the 34, 21.1 and 10k last year.
Do I need snake bite kit or anything? No. This is only mandatory for the 34km runners.
Is the trail very wet this time of year? Easy dirt road to run on, but you will get your feet wet crossing over a few shallow creeks.
Are there cut off times? No. This is at the discresion of the Race Officials.
Hi I’m thinking of entering the ultra. This will be my first ultra (although have done a marathon). Is this course suitable for a novice ultra?
Is there any special gear other than a compression bandage and whistle that the ultra’s need?
Also, as I’m travelling from interstate, I won’t have a support crew. Will I be able to plan ahead and leave supplies at the refueling stations?
Thank you.
Hi Natasha, which Ultra are you think of? We have three this year! The 3 Marathons in 3 Days is on next weekend, so I assume you are referring to Mt Haig or Kuranda to Port Douglas. Mt Haig is 45km, so if you’ve done a marathon, it will be very achievable – just tough as there are three long hills on the course. For the Kuranda to Port Douglas you’ll do a marathon + another 1/2, so that is do-able too. Again, not an easy run, so don’t turn up without having done a proper training program. You will need to have in place your own nutritional plan and hydrations system. Compression bandage and whistle required on the Kuranda to Port Douglas. There are checkpoints where you can leave gear, no support crew is required. Hope you can make it!
Thanks Lorraine for your prompt reply – sorry I didn’t specify. I was thinking of the Kuranda to Port Douglas and am already following a training program for a 100km race at the end of September so was thinking the 64km would be a good tune up race. Thanks again!
Sounds like you will fit right in! Will be a pleasure to have you along for the event. Good luck with your training. Next year, come up and do the 3 Marathons in 3 Days as well.
Lorraine,
Can we nominate on the day for the Kauri Creek Marathon?
Hi Sarah, no. Entries for the 45km; 21.1km and 10km close on Sunday, 15 July. No late entries accepted after that. Get your nomination in now, as a late fee applies from 9.00pm on 10 July!
greetings guys!
i’m interested in taking part in the Kuranda to Port Douglas Ultra Trail Marathon 2013. where can i sign up at?
thanks!
Hi Ray, we’d love to have you along. Register online at http://regonline.activeglobal.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1182741