The Marathon

Saturday 22nd March 2025 - 6am Start

Basically you are running the same course as the 50k loop except when you get to the ‘Mirror’ corner (800m from the finish) you run straight home while all the longer distance participants carry on around the ‘loop of deception’. Lucky, lucky you! It’s like a cheeky scenic run …with 2000 metres of up and down.

The route takes you from 200m above sea level (Start/finish) up over the top of Northburn Station at around 1660m. Total climb and descent of 2200m.

There will be plenty of marshals along key areas of the course. The course will be well marked with directional arrows and reflective tape. There will be one aid station about half way with nutrition and electrolyte supplements. There will only be a couple of fresh water re-fill positions (creeks) along the course so a water carrying capacity of about 2L per person is important. there will be some compulsory re-fill points.

This is mostly a dry, hard, rocky course run over high country 4WD tracks but also including some sections of fence lines, sheep tracks and alpine streams. The weather can be ‘changeable’ so your minimum gear must be carried at all times.

Minimum gear requirements are:

Small day backpack.
Rain jacket – it can be just a ‘shell’ but it must be seam-sealed waterproof.
Merino or thermal long sleeve top
Extra fleece/mid weight wool top or synthetic puffer.

Long thermal tights or trousers (standard compression leggings are not acceptable) Lightweight waterproof over trousers are also acceptable (Can be taken instead of thermal leggings)

Warm beanie or Thir Band! (Multifunctional head wear)
Polyprop / thermal/ warm gloves
Survival bag (don't piss around with a blanket - get a bag - standard outdoor equip these days)
Own snacks, gels, energy bars etc
Water bottles/bladders – enough to carry 2 litres of water at all times
Headlight for night-time with back up battery’s.
Reflective stripes or vest or back flashing light for night-time running

The above items must be in your pack or on your person AT ALL TIMES.

Cell phone (recommended but optional)
Gaiters (optional but recommended)
GPS/compass (optional)