A ripping rainforest run highlighting all that’s great about tropical Trail Running – cool clear creeks, dense shady trails, calf bursting climbs followed by long flowing downills and access to World Heritage Area Wet Tropics Rainforest via a brilliant mix of both smoothly flowing, easily runnable single trail and more technically challenging single trail.
Adventure Sport NQ have continued the legend of Crooked Mick and the Speewah with this race; lucky enough to have a real place called Speewah from which this event starts and finishes. The variety of courses on offer all head off into the Barron Gorge National Park by following traditional pathways of Djabugay and the pack and dray routes of early European pioneers. The longest course (17km) encompasses Smiths Track (not the near vertical section), Yalbogie Track, the Kauris, Toby’s Lookout, Gandul Wandun, Glacier Rock and Douglas Tracks!
The park itself protects 2820ha and nine vegetation communities ranging from lush tropical rainforest to mountain heath and forms a natural wildlife corridor linking the northern and southern reaches of the wet tropics. Possums, tree kangaroos, flying foxes, musky rat kangaroos, cassowary’s, amethystine pythons and spotted tail quolls are some of many native species resident to the park.
$10 for those who have previously competed in an Adventure HQ event and also Cairns Road Runners members.
$15 for first timers.
Rego 4km 7:15, 8km & 17km 6:15am
All races start 45min later
Food n Snacks after the race
Presentations 9:45
Gallery
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The Speewah Legend
Speewah and Crooked Mick yarns have been told since Europeans started getting lost in the Australian bush. Created to poke fun at the incredibly harsh and alien landscape, the Speewah downplayed reality by exaggerating itself.
It is said that the Speewah lies west of the sunset. Where the crows fly backwards, to keep the dust out of their eyes. Dust storms are so thick on the Speewah that you can walk overhem. The trees are so big, that the tops are hinged, so as to let the sun go past. It gets so hot on the Speewah, that freezing point is set at 99 degrees. Folk on the Speewah only consider they are through a drought when they can start putting water in their tea again and at dusk, the temperature drops so quickly, even the mirages freeze over!
Crooked Mick lived on the Speewah. He was the best at everything. He is literally larger than life – needing to go outside, just to turn around. He eats two sheep every lunchtime and uses small trees for toothpicks. When he was born, he started growing so fast that his father tried to slow his growth by ring-barking his legs. It didn’t work, but it did give him a nasty limp – and the name Crooked Mick!
4km, 8km and 17km Courses
4km Course
The only clockwise loop of the three events. Runners turn right at the end of the Djina Wu Track and climb up steep single track until the junction with Stony Creek Road and Smiths Track. 4km runners turn right onto Stony Creek Road (whereas 8km and 17km competitors turn left) and after 1.5km will again turn right onto the steep downhill road to the finish at the campground.
8km Course
Participants are encouraged to visit and go over the course prior to the event.
Turns right at the end of the Djina Wu Track and climbs up steep single track until the junction with Stony Creek Road and Smiths Track. Runners turn left onto the fast wide downhill section of Smith’s Track and turn left at Cadagi Corner (where 17km runners continued straight ahead). 8km Runners again turn left at the junction with Gandal Wandun. The Gandal Wandun track takes runners to Douglas Track onto which they again turn left until they reach the junction with Djina Wu track which takes them to the finish at the Campground.
‘Premier Event – 17k’
Participants are encouraged to visit and go over the course prior to the event.
Turns right at the end of the Djina Wu Track and climbs up steep single track until the junction with Stony Creek Road and Smiths Track. Runners turn left onto the fast wide downhill section of Smith’s Track and continue past Cadagi Corner (where 8km runners will turn left) and onto the Yalbogie Track. This takes runners past the spectacular Kauris and to the first of two Stony Creek crossings (exit is downstream from approach). After climbing out of Stony Creek runners will turn left at Toby’s Lookout onto Smith’s Track. Smith’s Track now traverses fast open country before dropping into the second Stony Creek crossing (exit is via the creek entering opposite your approach) and climbing up to the junction with Gandal Wandun. The Gandal Wandun track takes runners to Douglas Track where they take an out and back side trip to Glacier Rock. Glacier Rock itself is reached via a 280m detour of Douglas Track. Upon reaching Glacier Rock, runners turn and use Douglas Track to take them back to the junction with Djina Wu track which takes them to the finish at the Campground.
- Race Food
- Hydration Equipment – cups will not be supplied.
Supplied
- Drums of Water and electrolyte mix at Start / finish area
- Selection of treats for after the event.
What’s on location
Kuranda Visitor Information Centre is a wealth of local accommodation information
Phone: (07) 4093 9311
Fax: (07) 4093 7630 Email: info@kuranda.org
Web: http://www.kuranda.org
Transport: email shane@adventuresportnq.info for car pool options (offers/requests).
Provided Drinking water will not be available on the course for competitors. Competitors are encouraged to be self reliant while on the course. Natural water sources are available to 17k competitors from Stoney Ck (crossed twice). A collapsible cup or hand-held water bottle may be a lightweight option otherwise use a camel back style set up.
Mobile phone coverage: Not reliable – present in higher course features eg Toby’s lookout and Glacier Rock
