Once again the running gremlins have struck a trail race I’ve volunteered to direct! I have received advice from my contacts on the Tablelands that the Mt Edith Road which is an integral part of the 45km race route has been closed to all vehicles due to heavy rains and wind washing out parts of the road and bringing down trees across it. I am not prepared to have runners use the road when I can not get an emergency services vehicle in there should there be an accident or injury to a runner. This is a very important safety issue and I’m sure you will understand my decision. So, what to do? I am reluctant to cancel the 45km race completely so I have been looking for alternatives to the 28km section of the race that has been lost. One possibility is for runners to head up Kauri Creek Road (the same one being used by all other competitors) to the junction with Mt Edith Road. Runners would then continue on in a westerly direction until Tinaroo Creek Road is reached. Once there, runners would follow this road, initially in a southerly direction, then tending east until it joins Danbulla Road near Tinaroo Dam. Following this road eventually brings you back to the Start/Finish at Kauri Creek, making a loop course of approximately 44kms (if Google Earth is any guide). At this moment I am not sure whether I can get a vehicle around the whole loop but plan to check it out on Wednesday 13th. If vehicle access is possible, the course could then be marked on Saturday 16th. I would welcome any feedback on trailrunning@roadrunners.org.au or call me on 0459020091 after 6.30pm. Also if any of you have spouses or partners who could help out on race day, I would be overjoyed! Many thanks, Dave OBrien (Race Director)
PO Box 7403, Cairns QLD 4870
info@roadrunners.org.au
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