To all,

Next Fat Ass Sydney trail run heads over to Sutherland. Details as follows:

Where: Heathcote Rail Station (eastern side)
When: 7.30am, Sunday 10th June 2007
Distances: Options for everyone from 15km, 25km and 34km
Aid stations: Nil. BYO
Map attached: (Further maps on fatass link)
Fatass link:http://www.coolrunning.com.au/fatass/hq/in..._Helter_Skelter

15km loop: Follow Heathcote/Audley/Engadine Track to Robertsons Knoll. Head south along along Uloola track back to Uloola Falls. Return to station via Karloo Track.

25km run: Follow 15km to Uloola Falls. Continue south along Uloola Track to the Couranga track turnoff. Return to Uloola Falls and station via Karloo Track.

34km run: Follow 25km to Couranga track. Follow Couranga track down to the creek. Cross the creek and follow Forest loop to Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. Return via Couranga track, Uloola track and Karloo track.

This course is a mixture of single trail, open fire trail, rocky terrain, native bush and rainforest. Any trailwalker teams looking for a change of scenery would enjoy this one.

Extensions are endless with either the forest loop, out and back on Lady Carrington or for the more adventerous, to the coast and return.

Terry and I have run the 34km track and there are a few tricky bits. Nothing major and if you can read a street directory you can find your way. We will have notes on the day where we misplaced ourselves.

Hope to see you there.


Rod

That's a bugger. I fly out for the pathway to WS the day before. This would have been an excellent final quad trashing run. Good luck every one having a go at this one.

Sounds like fun Rod, I'll have a go at either the 25k or 34k. I can read a street map, so I should be OK

Is this run too close to Poormans Comrades to do?
Should I be resting?

Poormans will be my first really hard long long run, longest to date is 60KMs quite flat.

Brick

Manly to Heathcote

Hi All,

Is this correct?

Apart from the fact it was for

When: Sunday, 3 June 2007,
Arrive before 07:30am
Mode: Regular Buses, Trains, Ferries

I would also check for June 10th to see if any trackwork etc

all the best David

G'day Rod,

I'm in sounds like a good run in my own back yard.

See ya

Sounds like perfect timing for me, with the GC Marathon 3 weeks later. I should be there, as I would probably be running Lady Carrington at that time anyway. Looking forward to it.

Nando

yeah they did not have an option for the 10th, but you are right I had better check.

I will definitely be up for this, probably the 34k - can't wait

Sounds like a good one, I need to get some more off road long runs in before Willy to Billy, and it's 3 weeks from GC half so no problem there.

Will probably be up for the 25k option - any other slower runners wanting some company? I've not got a great sense of direction so don't really want to run on my own

Slow Maniac I am coming from Bondi Junction so guess that's the train I will be on also.

cool I will look out for another runner type - My avatar is not a true likeness by the way. It is close though.

I am also hoping to be a starter for the Willy to Billy

nooooooooooooo this is on the same weekend as the Manly Soft Sand Classic - dang! I am so torn.

(slinks off grumbliing)

Will probably be there. Will only be doing the 15k unless i find someone very slow to run with and am still feeling good at turnoff point.

Great work putting this one on Hornet. I'll be there for the last long hitout before WS. I will be joining you for 34km.

I’ll be there – usually do my long runs on these tracks, so doing it with company would be great.

As Rod said – there are endless possibilities for extensions. Just an idea for one is when you get to Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, rather than backtracking on Couranga track and Uloola track, continue on Lady Carrington drive (dirt road/fire trail) all the way to Audley (10km); then climb up the hill to Robertson’s Knoll (1km, 150m climb) and to the finish the same way as the 15km option (via Uloola Falls and Karloo Pools). That will give a total of about 40km, water, toilets and kiosk at Audley (~25-30km mark), a complete loop (or rather figure eight) which means no backtracking (the only track repeat being for the 2-3km on the Ridge Track between Robertson’s Knoll and Uloola Falls), and extra 10km of track to explore.

Keg

I'll be doing the 25k option, and I will be going pretty slow!

RA

Thinking about it. Will discuss it with my ITB & get back to y'all a bit closer to the day....

Nikolay,

I like the sound of this one. I thought about that loop, but didnt know what the track was like back from Lady Carrington to Robertsons Knoll.

When I run off the maps, I will include all the previous turn around points, and this loop as well.


Cheers
Rod

Hey there RA! I could keep you company on your 25k. I will be going slow too.

ine x

I have now got myself on a payroll (thank god) and dont need to stinge with money anymore so I will definitely be attending this one. Thinking of doing something between 25 and 34 km but will wait till I get my program.

Hi Ine - how's it going? Some company would be great, although I hope I won't be too slow for you!

Rod,

The track from Audley to the ridge is much the same as the rest of the tracks - quite rough, narrow and steep, but distinct and easy to follow. There is also another track which climbs to the ridge from Audley (through Wattle Forest).

I'll be keener to do a loop rather than out and back, but will see how I feel on the day - 40km may be a bit long...

Hi Rod,

I'm in - although not sure which distance yet.

Have decided that running 34k on trails is better training for me than 21k on sand. So.... I am in!

Bring on the 10th

Nikolay,

I will be up for 40km. 3 weeks out from GCM and will be looking for a long hit out. Just slow down with me and you will be fine

Terry was going to give me a hand with this one, but looks like he will be out of town. We did the recce together and whilst we 'misplaced' ourselves a few times, some basic map reading got us out of trouble. Terry has the notes on the tricky bits, so might need a hand with instructions on a couple of spots on the course.


Cheers
Rod

RA - if we are not in Melbourne for the weekend we will most likely do this one so you can have some more company for the slow 25k

Cool! And some company on the train too which will be nice.

* BUMP *

Looking forward to this run, as it fits perfectly in with my program for GC Marathon. The 40k option sounds good to me if others are keen.

Nando

Have fun people. I'd definitely be in this but also have the same issue as Virtual .. flying over for Western States Saturday the 09th.

Thanks for the maps Hornet ... will certainly use these to vary my Lady Carrington runs.

Cheers, all the best, Blue Dog.

Did the 27km option on Sunday and took some (mental) notes about the tricky bits. May post my notes on the fatass website (when I find some time in the next week or so). Probably will be in for the 40km option. There is also nice 30km loop with 50% firetrail / 50% single track which can be done on these trails (one of my regular long runs) - will give more details on the day to anyone interested.

I hope to come along on Sunday for one of the longer options. Anybody else going up from Wollongong?

Phil

Hey all,

Thanks for putting this one together Rod, look forward to joining in. Got to admit that I might think about stretching it out a little further... any ideas for a 60 anyone?

milov

I had to come back and check this thread because RA sent me an email today asking if I was going and I said I hadn't read the thread. Now I see that I have posted in it and have absolutely no recollection of that whatsoever

I'm not sure if we are in for this one or not, have to check with the man when he gets home from work...

Not sure RA. I'll let you know...

i'm up for the 34 (or 40 km option but not sure what that one is). Doing about 5:20 pace on longer runs...did 36km on road last w/end so should last, tho I know trail is a bit tougher than the road. Am also training for GC so this will probably be the last big one before easing back a little.

Is the Hurry option 25k or 27k?? Is the track surface more friendly than the Nosh run? Otherwise I''ll be doing the 15k- Don't want to still be there Monday...................

Hey all,

my decision will be made on the morning (depending on the weather). I will either join in for the 34, or take off after the Lady Carrington Drive section down to the Otford apple pie shop via the coastal trail or (if the weather is really nice) head on up to Bundeena finishing at the pie shop near the pier. It is important to have a food motivation at the end of these things

milov

Unfortunately I won't be able to make this one now, as I will be at the Hunter Valley.

nando

Just got approval from Ground Control to do another long run this weekend.

15 km will be acheivable, but 25 may be a stretch for me, so I will probably look for something in between, which looks feasible from the maps.

Sounds like there may be a few doing a slow 20ish km run this Sunday.

Hope to see you all down at Heathcote.

Pipe

Just had a quick look at the maps and elevation - for the 25k (27k?) option, how technical is it? Will there be lots of rock scrambling like with the Black Stump Fat Ass??? I'm not sure I'm up for rock scrambling at the moment so perhaps the 15k would be a better option for me if this is the case... I'd kinda like something I can more or less run continuously without fear of having a massive stack

Looking at the elevation profile would I be right in guessing that the 25k option doesn't have that huge drop and then climb in the middle section or have I totally misread it?

Trying to get over a virus thats knocking me around a bit, if I can shake it and the weather is reasonable I will probably make. Also have to clear it with the boss as well.

Course update. There is a bit of rock scrambling in first 10km but nothing major - also a few ups and downs but no great mountains to scale. Between the falls and Couranga track is wide open fire trail that a 4WD can easily fit thru. The roughest section is down the Couranga Track, but is not real difficult. Most would know Carrington which is very easy to run. The route is a little bit of everything in terms of terrain.

Lloydy you will have a few to run with. As long as Milov and Nikolay slow down for us we will be right. I will talk tactics for GCM.

Scurry dont use weather as an excuse. If I didnt want rain to ruin the day I would have scheduled the run at a gym on treadmills.

I will arrange some drinks for the finish. See you all there.

Thanks for the info Rod... right now I'd say it's a 98% chance we'll be there

I will be there for the run, aiming to go about 30km. I think 34k might be pushing it a bit too much for me on this outing, so it will be the 'not quite the full option' option

Looking forward to meeting you all there.

Hi Run Bare

We met briefly at the start of the SMH half before you shot off into the distance! Maybe we will get a chance to do more than say hello this time

RA




Let me know Beki. And no way are you wimping out and doing the 15k! I will be going v slow promise, I hate scrambling over rocks aswell. Will be a good run

RA

I will be there for a very slow 34k. Looking forward to it!

I've updated the fat-ass website including the 30km loop and 40km figure eight options. I've also uploaded a document with a short course description.

http://www.coolrunning.com.au/fatass/hq/in..._Helter_Skelter

hmmm I've gone from 95% sure to not very due to a mysterious back injury that has suddenly for the first time and for no discernible reason reared its head.

My ankle is starting to play up a bit this week, not 100% sure now, will have to see how it is on Saturday

Thanks Nikolay. I printed some A3 maps up with a few notes on them where the trails got hard to find. Bit of rain forecast, but will be there regardless. Just makes it a bit more fun.

The Hornet