Grampians Challenge Multisport & Trail Run

Adventure racing is for those who desire adventure in their lives, want to get outside, and are keen to explore! If you are someone who is not quite satisfied with running laps at your nearest park or pounding the treadmill at the gym, want something different, more challenging and far more intense and rewarding, multisport racing.The Grampians Challenge is a classic one-day Multisport race: Lake paddle, Trail run, Mountain bike throughout Grampians National Park. There is also a 14k Trail run past spectacular McKenzie falls!

Aid StationFruits, sport drinks, water and your bag will be located at the finish station. Please put all rubbish into the rubbish bags provided. If you want your bag to be transported to the aid station it has to be brought to the start area not later than 40 min prior the start.

Multisport CourseLEG 1 – RUNNING 9KStart at Zumsteins picnic ground, head south-east on the walking only single track, along spectacular McKenzie river gorge. Massive rocky hills hanging from both sides, technical running and almost all the time, climbing up! First two kilometers are here to warm you up, it is only 50m climb from Zumsteins to the Fish Falls. Rocky cascade with jumping water will mean to you there is a steep few meters up. Climb on the right hand side with some metal stairs and railings to help you.Keep going, it still goes up, and the gorge gets more and more spectacular. At 3.2k mark, when direction cardinally changed to north west, it get a bit more technical, with a few rocky sections to run through. Again, stairs, metal bridges and railings sometimes will guide you through to the gem of Grampians, McKenzie falls. They are spectacular, we hope you will come back after the race to take some pictures. No worries of not, our photographer will make sure you have a new profile pic! Running past McKenzie falls is always amazing experience! Go up narrow steep stone staircase, with railings again to help you. 30-40 meters of climbing, and you are on a wider track, that keeps going up to the carpark.Marshalls will guide you through the carpark, around the fence to join the Chinamens track. It is straight and you can see where the top is. Good news, it is the highest point. Bad news, it goes up another 130 meters. At 5.5k mark, you done 300m of climbing, say yes – not to much climbing left on the course!Follow Chinamens track, to drop about 40m in next kilometer, and turn right at the junction. Track will keep going east getting you inside Wartook valley, and droping another 50m over final 1.5k to the boat rump, where Transition Area is. Turn left to the boat rump, to finish off the run with final 400m down to the TA.LEG 2 KAYAKING 10KYou will be paddling on lake Wartook, simply magnificent stretch of pristine waters surrounded by mountains on both sides. Head east towards southern end of the Bear Island, that’s where turning point (orange buoy) is. It’s approximately 1.1km across from TA to the southern tip of the island. It also is the least protected stretch of water, and safety IRB will be around to make sure you are all right.You will paddle along the island shore for another kilometre, navigate through mini maze of stumps to break free into large stretch of waters from nothern tip of the island to top of peninsula with prominently large tree. This is where another turning point is, it will be 5.2k mark there. Turn around the buoy anticlockwise and head south towards TA. Another approximately 3k on straight line will get you to the western shore. Paddle along the shore another 1.5k to reach 9.7k total distance at TA.LEG 3 MOUNTAIN BIKING 35KRiding off TA, turn left to the track down to the lake Wartook. Cross parking area and take 4wd track going along the dam. Enjoy lake views, it will only take you couple of minutes to the end of the dam. You will turn right to get onto sandy 4wd track, heading south and then turning south-west. At approximately 3k mark, turn left at the intersection to start slight climb. You will gain about 30 meters in following 0.5k to the fork, where you take right to head south-east.Track climbs steadily up towards famous Boroka lookup, gaining 400m vertical over 8.5k from the lake. Most of the uphill is gentle with one short sharp section closer to the turn. Once sharp part is done, keep going for another few hundred meters and then turn left onto bitumen road. Be careful some traffic is possible on this road, Boroka lookout is a popular spot. You won’t have an opportunity to check those famous views out, as you will ride past Boroka lookout on your right and will keep going on 4wd track closed for traffic looping around the lake. Soon you will reach highest elevation point, 851m. Good news climbing is almost done once your reach this point. More scenic panorama is on you right: once you start descending towards the lake, you will see mount Difficult range. Real downhill starts at approximately 15.5k mark, and you will descent into the lake valley. At 22k mark you will rejoin the original course, coming from sandy technical trek on your right.The track traverses lake Wartook valley to the west for another 1.5k, when it turns south west and then south at approximately 23k mark. Slight climb of 50m between 23k and 26.5k marks, road, however, is that fast you might not notice it. Another 1.5k will drop those 50m down at 28k mark, where if you lucky, you might be able to compare emu and mountain bike speed. Mountain bike at well over 40kph lost in my case.Join the same track you did your first running leg from Zumsteins to the lake, and keep following it in opposite direction. Turn right at T-Junction, and start gentle climb with 50m gain over 1.5 km to the junction with Chinaman track. Turn left to keep climbing another 30m over 0.8km to reach another high point of the bike leg, 530m. It’s all downhill from here to the finish! Turn right into unnamed 4wd track going down to Zumsteins carpark. You will loose 300 meters elevation in just 3.5k, so be careful! Few sections of loose gravel and rocks are on the track and couple of corners to negotiate. Make sure turn left after creek crossing, you wouldn’t miss music and greetings anyway. Welcome back – it’s done and dusted!Trail Run CourseDistance:14,7k, start/finish Zumstein picnic ground.There will be one aid station at the turning point at 9k.Description:Start at historical Zumsteins picnic ground and head south-east on the walking only single track along spectacular McKenzie river gorge. Massive rocky hills hanging from both sides, technical running and almost all the time, climbing up! First two kilometers are here to warm you up, it is only 50m climb from Zumsteins to the Fish Falls. Rocky cascade with jumping water will mean it is a steep few meters up. Climb on the right hand side with some metal stairs and railings to help you.Keep going, it still goes up, and the gorge gets more and more spectacular. At 3.2k mark, when direction cardinally changed to north west, it gets a bit more technical, with a few rocky sections to run through. Again, stairs, metal bridges and railings sometimes will guide you through to the gem of Grampains, McKenzie falls. The view is spectacular, we hope you will come back after the race to take some pictures. No worries if not, our photographer will make sure you have a new profile pic. Running past McKenzie falls is always amazing experience. Go up narrow steep stone staircase, with railings again to help you. 30-40 meters of climbing, and you are on a wider track, that keeps going up to the carpark.Marshalls will guide you through the carpark, around the fence to join the Chinamens track. It is straight and you can see where the top is. Good news, it is the highest point. Bad news, it goes up another 130 meters. At 5.5k mark, you’ve done 300m of climbing, say yes – not too much climbing left on the course!Follow Chinamens track, to drop about 40m in next kilometer, and turn right at the t-junction. Track will keep going east getting you inside Wartook valley, and droping another 50m over next 1.5k to the boat rump, where turn around point is.Punch at turn-around station to be in a draw for The Athlete Foot Trail Run leg! You will be in competition with all multisport race athletes started with you for over $500 worth of prizes from the Athlete Foot Horsham. Grab some water and turn back, you will be following the same track. Sorry, you will have to climb back those 90m you’ve just dropped!Start gentle climb with 50m gain over 1.5 km to the junction with Chinaman track. Turn left to keep climbing another 30m over 0.8km. Turn right to follow ridgeline dropping down to Zumsteins.It’s all downhill from here to the finish! You will lose 300 meters elevation in just 3.5k, be careful running it down. There are some sections of loose gravel on the track, make sure you turn left after creek crossing, you won’t miss music and greatings anyway. Welcome back – it’s done and dusted!

Location: Wartook, VIC 3401, AustraliaRace Day 24 March, 2019:  6:45 Onsite late registration, transition zone is open for kayaking and mtb equipment8:00 Start of the Trail run and Multisport race in waves9:00 First runner expected at the Transition area10:00 First paddler is off the water11.00 First team is expected to finish13:00 All teams expected to finish.13:30 PresentationSaturday Registration, Sunday PresentationThe Wander InnStartZumsteins Picnic Ground

Where is the event?Grampians National Park is located between Stawel and Horsham, 260 km west of Melbourne and 460 km east of Adelaide.ParkingAmple parking is available both at the finish/start area, please follow race information sent to you prior the event.

MANDATORY GEAR LIST FOR TRAIL RUNPhone, Telstra 3G recommended,WhistleEmergency blanket or waterproof jacketThermal top (either on you or in the backpack)Water bottle 300 ml minMANDATORY EQUIPMENT FOR GRAMPIANS CHALLENGEAll Legs EquipmentFirst aid kit – pt. (one crepe bandage, wound dressing and six adhesive dressings)Whistle – pp.Wind and water proof jacket – pp. min weight 200 g.Water bottle or bladder minimum 0,5 l – pp.Mobile phone Telstra 3G in waterproof bag with full charge switched off during the race – pt.Only MTB stagesMountain bike – pp.Helmet – pp.Repair kit – pt. (minimum 1 spare tube, pump and tire levers)Only kayaking stageKayak – pp. (any type of kayaks or surf-skis are accepted. Both double and single kayaks are accepted).PFD – pp.Double paddle – pp.RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENTSufficient nutrition – pp. During the race it is recommended to take one gel or powerbar per 40 min. This could be used for estimation purposes only, and personal requirements and preferences can vary significantlyElectrolyte drinks preventing dehydration – pp. For September Victorian weather it is not likely that more than half a liter per hour per person will be required. Though, dehydration is still a possibility and it is highly recommended to have special sport drinks powder with you.Bike glovesSunglassesSunscreen

TimingElectronic timing will be used on the trail run courses. You will need to touch a finish station with the timing chip provided during the registration, and then do not forget to give it to officials at the finish line, no chip- no time.Trail MarkingCourse is clearly marked with arrows and on all intersections and occasionally on a longer straight stretches. Although we do recommend you to have a look at the map prior the event, trail run events are not self-navigable races. If you managed to get lost, there will be a map printed on the back of your race bib and a phone number of race organisers.First AidFirst Aid officials will be located at the Aid station approximately in the middle of the course and at the start and finish area.Phone CoverageTelstra 3G is recommended for the Grampians, phone coverage is pretty average there, text would go through, but not call in some areas.How difficult are the multisport races?There are few aspects of the off-road events.SkillsAlmost everyone can run/trek and ride a bike. Specific Mountain bike skills are occasionally required, but 95% of bike courses in adventure races and multisport events are held on 4wd roads. You do not need to be a MTB guru to complete the course.Kayaking and Navigation are normally the main excuses for not signing up. However, good news is that total beginners still can give it a go. Kayaks in Sprint Series races are super easy to paddle and provided as a part of your entry. Navigation is relatively simple (can you read a street directory?) More complicated races such as X-Marathon require a certain level of expertise, but it is totally achievable with practice. Multisport races are not navigation based, and the courses are fully marked.EnduranceYou need to have certain level of endurance. It is not the same as speed or technical abilities. Generally saying, if you are exercising one or two times per week and able to run 5 km continuously you will be able to complete the Sprint Race. If you want to win or finish top 10 you will need to train more regularly and obtain some ‘go fast’ AR skills.Trail Marking Course is clearly marked with arrows and on all intersections and occasionally on a longer straight stretches. Although we do recommend you to have a look at the map prior the event, trail run events are not self-navigable races. If you managed to get lost, there will be a map printed on the back of your race bib and a phone number of race organisers.