26km – The Three Peaks

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Course Description

This is a 26km endurance event finishing at Chingford Park. 

The race starts 9:00am at the Malvern St/Woodhaugh Street intersections by the bridge.

Follow the marshals off Malvern Rd onto the beautiful groomed trails and native bush of the Ross Creek Reserve. Past the reservoir take a right turn and the track gets a little less groomed and steep up into Craigieburn. Cross the road at the intersection of Tanner Rd and Wakari Rd and then it’s onto the Pineapple Track that goes up… and up… and up to Flagstaff Summit. There’s a little double back to get onto the Swampy Ridge Track that undulates with a bit of mud tussock and rock to hop along and up to Swampy Summit Aid Station.

Follow a bit of the Leith Saddle track down the hill and then through the flax chute through to the Pylon 4WD, turn left and you can fly down this bit until the end where you enter the Morrisons Burn Track. This has some steep muddy downhill sections – enjoy gravity and the trees to catch hold of. It’s not long then you are on a forestry access road that leads you on to Leith Valley.

Only one more mountain to climb! Run 1.8km up Leith Valley Rd to the Aid Station just over the overhead bridge. A right turn there takes into a beautiful little track that leads into Mt Cargill forest tracks and 4WD roads. Follow the markers and you will come up on to Cowan road. Turn left and carry on up to the summit of Mount Cargill and the last aid station.

From Mt Cargill summit you get to enjoy gravity once again with a 4km descent down some single track to Bethune’s Gully. There’s only about 2 km on the flat after this so you may as well completely destroy whatever remains of your quads on this descent. Follow the road out onto Norwood Street. Run down Norwood for about 1km then turn right into Tannadice St and left into Dryden St, over the footbridge and into Chingford Park for the sprint finish across the sports ground to the sounds of hearty cheers!

Well done! You deserve a medal!

The course will be well marked with marshals at aid stations and key intersections.

Compulsory Gear List

The compulsory gear list is here for your protection and safety. The following items MUST be carried.

  • Rain jacket – it must be seam-sealed waterproof.
  • Merino or thermal long sleeve top
  • Warm beanie or Thir Band! (Multifunctional head-ware)
  • Own snacks, gels, energy bars etc
  • Water bottles/bladders (there will be no cups available at water stations).
  • Phone (optional but strongly recommended).
  • Gear checks will be carried out at registration.

Gear Drops

Clothing can be left at start line at Woodhaugh Gardens, they will be taken to the finsh line at the Leith Harrier Club Rooms at Chingford Park for your collection.

King and Queen of the Mountain

Sponsored by Sims Brothers Garage, this includes a cash prize for the first man and first woman to the Swampy Summit who then go on to finish the 26km running race.

Aid & Water Stations, Toilets

Water and electrolyte will be available at the following aid stations but there will be no cups. Bring your own cup or bottle.

  1. Flagstaff
  2. Swampy (CP)
  3. Leith Valley
  4. Mt. Cargill (CP)

Portaloos will be available at the start and at Swampy Summit and Leith Valley Aid Stations.

Race Rules

  • Registration and gear checks are on Saturday afternoon from 4pm.
  • While checking-in, every competitor must get their mandatory gear checked. All essential gear must be carried at all times. It can get very cold very quickly on these hills. 
  • Always listen to the advice of marshals. They are there for your safety. Also be polite and say thanks. They are wonderful people who have volunteered their time for your pain and pleasure.
  • If you pull out for any reason you must report to officials at the finish line. Otherwise our wonderful volunteer marshals will be waiting and looking for you all day and night.
  • Please don’t drop any rubbish and if you see any that may have been dropped by another runner please pick it up.
  • All tracks are open so please be respectful of other track users.
  • All roads are open. Please be alert and keep to the sides.
  • Avoid headphones/earbuds use during the race. There’s lots of native birdsong to enjoy. You will be required to remove them for road sections.
  • Race numbers are to be visible at all checkpoints.
  • If you come across another competitor in trouble stay with them until you know they are safe.
  • No dogs are to accompany runners as part of the course goes through private land.

Course Map and Elevation Profile

26km_2020
26km-The Three Peaks

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