The Trail Running Series - Blackwood

Blackwood course description

The event uses a recreation reserve as the start and finish area. Routes run predominantly on single track beside the Lerderderg River, along aqueduct trails cut during the Gold Rush in the 1860s, and through green valleys and native garden areas such as the Garden of St Erth. The long course includes a sustained climb in the middle of the route; the medium and short courses avoid that large climb and follow more level sections and weaving aqueduct trails.

• Long course: 22 km with 570 m ascent
• Medium course: 15.8 km with 330 m ascent
• Short course: 7.9 km with 190 m ascent

Course specifics note water points and key trail features. The long course has water points at about 6.5 km and 14.5 km, begins with uphill 4WD track sections, includes flowing single track beside the river, a multi-kilometre climb from roughly 7.5 km, and returns via a fast downhill to the reserve. The medium course follows much of the long route but omits the central climb and has water points near 5 km and 8.3 km. The short course follows the initial and final parts of the long route, uses the Whipstick Loop Trail, and has no water points.

A timed finish line sprint of about 100 to 200 m is recorded separately for each runner. Course marking uses coloured arrows and surveyor tape by course: red/orange for long, green for medium, and blue/aqua for short. Runners are expected to follow those markings and standard passing etiquette on narrow sections. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.