Gold Rush Trail Marathon

An epic rainforest trail run over the popular Goldfields Trail, starting and finishing at the beautiful Boulders swimming hole.

Gold Rush
 
The Goldfields Trail traverses Australia’s wettest rainforest with a multitude of refreshing creek crossings, scenic waterfalls and a challenging climb over the saddle between Queensland’s two highest peaks: Bartle Frere (1622m) and Bellenden Ker (1592m).

The Trail Marathon event can credibly lay claim to being the most scenic marathon event many runners could hope to enjoy. However, claims to being the toughest marathon would hold equal integrity. Significant vertical ascent, evaporation-arresting humidity and the full range of trail surfaces is sure to test even the most well prepared runners. While the large majority of the course is shaded and regular watercourses provide relief, safety precautions require entry to be at the discretion of the Race Director.

The 2013 event will again use the original Gold Rush Trail Marathon course starting at the Babinda boulders, running the length of the Goldfields Trail, sneaking up to Kearneys Falls for a quick peek and returning to the Boulders.

2013 sees the inclusion of free Gold Rush trail Marathon training plans click here….

Thanks to generous sponsors particularly Adventure Equipment, Babinda Electrics and Trail Run Mag AU/Nz.

 

Enter right here, right now!
When: Sunday 14th July, 2013
Where: Babinda Boulders
Organiser: Shane White 0438 758 862
Race Entry Fee
$10 for those who have previously competed in an Adventure HQ event and also Cairns Road Runners members.
$15 for first timers.

Online Entries Only. Entry closes Friday 12th July at 6pm.

Timings
Rego 6:00am (42.2km), 7:30 (23km), 8:30(7km).
All races start 1hr later
Food available from 10:00am
Presentations 12:00

Amazing! Outstanding! The kind of event I’ve been waiting for. Will be making every effort to get up there from Brissie. I’ve heard how tough this course is though; I’ll be well prepared but just taking it easy and enjoying the sights…

Greg Waite – TRAQ’s

Gallery

Gold Rush Trail Marathon 2013

 

Gold Rush Trail Marathon Course. Starts at the Boulders and travels up and over the saddle, through the East Mulgrave at the causeway and the length of the Goldfields Trail. Upon reaching the Goldsborough campground, continue to the first turnaround point near the 20km marker, head back a few hundred metres and head up to Kearneys Falls and the second turnaround. Return to the campground and turn left to retrace your steps over the Goldfields Trail to finish at the Boulders.  Training plans now available!

Gold Rush 23km Course. Starts at the Boulders and travels up and over the saddle, through the East Mulgrave at the causeway before turning around to return to the finish at the Boulders campground.

Gold Rush 7km Course. Turnaround at a marked point 3.5km along the Goldfields Trail and return to the Boulders to finish.

What to bring (compulsory in 23k and 42k events)

  • Hydration plan eg Camelback style set up, Water bottle, collapsible cup etc
  • Snake bite kit (2 roller bandages).

Fruit and yummies are supplied after the race.

Climate and Weather
Daytime temperatures are typically warm at any time of the year. However, July mornings can be pretty chilly (for us Dirty Northeners), the humidity lower and less chance of precipitation. Trail conditions are at their best from April or May until November. Expect to be cool before the start, a maximum temperature of around 28-29 degrees and a reasonable chance of clear skies.

What’s on location

Accommodation

Accommodation in Cairns is plentiful. See transport below.

Transport: email shane@adventuresportnq.info for car pool options (offers/requests).

Facilities: shade, picnic tables, BBQs, toilets, car park, drinking water and cool swimming in the (crocodile free) upper reaches of Babinda Creek.

Domestic animals are not permitted in Queensland National Parks.

Camping:

The Boulders camping ground and park: Currently, no bookings are required for this campground, although there are only five sites.

The other, much larger campground is located right on Babinda Creek on Howard Kennedy Drive. This camp ground is pet friendly. Both parks have free amenities.

How to get there

From the Bruce Highway turn West at Babinda (around halfway between Innisfail and Cairns). Travel through the small town of Babinda and follow the signs to the ’Boulders’. Once you leave town, continue on the main road for a pleasant 10 to 15 minute drive to the registration area and start line at the Boulders. It is suitable for conventional vehicles, but please drive with caution.

Results can be found on the Results page.

7 thoughts on “Gold Rush Trail Marathon”

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  3. Sarah Griffiths May 21, 2010 at 9:02 pm -

    Hello, I did the 8km event at speewah and had such a blast. It was my first trail run and now i’m hooked. Thank you for your events. I am training for a half marathon but not quiet got my distance there yet. If I do the Babinda trail run, can I do my own distance by turning around somewhere between the 5km and 23km markers??? Would love to participate and 5km is too short but not quiet up to the 23km distance, especailly trailing rather than road running. Cheers, Sarah

  4. Abdel May 28, 2010 at 7:35 pm -

    hi Sarah,
    if you let meknow how many km you run per week then i will tell you if you can run half marathon very well or not,

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