The Speewah Legend
They say that the Speewah lies west of the sunset, a place where crows fly backwards to keep the dust out of their eyes and the trees are so big their tops are hinged, to let the sun go past.

Old timers remember dust storms so thick that they could climb over them, while at dusk the temperature drops so quickly that even the mirages freeze over.

Crooked Mick is a survivor of this incredibly tough land – a larger than life figure who eats two sheep for lunch 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.

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 downplays reality by exaggerating itself.

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4km, 8km and 17km Courses

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4km Course

The only clockwise loop of the three events. Runners turn right at the end of the Djina Wu Track and climb up the 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.
Turn right at the end of the Djina Wu Track and climb up the 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 the 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.

8k minimap

‘Premier Event – 17k’

Participants are encouraged to visit and go over the course prior to the event.
Turn right at the end of the Djina Wu Track and climb up the 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 (the 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 the 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.

17k minimap

What to bring

• 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.

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What’s on location

Speewah campground is a peaceful and scenic campground in an open grassy area among rainforest trees, more info here.

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).

Facilities:Drinking water, picnic tables, gas barbecues, flushing toilets and cold showers (toilets and showers are wheelchair accessible).
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

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How to get there

The turn-off to Speewah is located on the Kennedy Highway, around 5mins West of Kuranda and about 30kms East of Mareeba. After turning off the Highway follow the National Park signs to the Speewah Campground.

1.	Head west on Kennedy Hwy towards Speewah Turnoff	20.1 km
2.	Turn left at Douglas Trk	350 m
3.	Take the 2nd right on to Speewah Rd	2.9 km
4.	Turn left at Stoney Creek Rd	1.5 km
5.	Turn left at Smiths Trk	750 m

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Results can be found on the Results page. Click here for Race records