Perth Trail Series

Eagle and Child John Forrest National Park

10 June 2012

2013 tentative date: Sunday 7 July! Check back after mid May!

Package pickup for this event is at:

Mainpeak, Hector Street West, Osborne Park, Thursday 7 June 7.00 - 7.50 PM or

The Running Centre, 1273 Hay Street, West Perth, Friday 8 June, 5 - 6 PM or

Start/finish line, Sunday 10 June (race day), 7.30 - 7.50 AM (long course) OR 8.45 - 9.00 AM (short course)

Schedule for Long Course ("Eagle and Child"):

7.30-7.50 am Arrival (package pickup from 7.30-7.50 ONLY for long course)

8.00 am Long Course ("Eagle and Child") Race Briefing

8.15 am Long Course Wave 1 Start (slower runners/expect to finish in last third)

8.30 am Long Course Wave 2 Start (the chase pack!)

Schedule for Short Course ("Eaglet and Bub"):

7.30-9.00 am Arrival (package pickup from 8.45-9.00 ONLY for short course)

9.15 am Short Course ("Eaglet and Bub") Race Briefing

9.30 am Short Course Mass Start

Directions to event:

Take Great Eastern Highway east of Midland, travelling up the scarp (uphill). Pass the Bilgoman Pool on your right and a sign on the left at Park Road, indicating John Forrest National Park (i.e., don't take this first left into the park). Continue past a pull-out/rest area on your left and prepare to take the next left (also called Park Road on google maps, but may not be signed). Just before this turn, there is a big blue Main Roads sign. If you miss the turn, you can do a U-turn, or turn left at the next exit, which is also called Park Road (confused yet?). Soooo, from the second (middle) Park Road turn, continue ~900 mtrs straight on. As the road makes a right bend, you take a hard left, following the sign that indicates park entrance and tavern. Travel another ~900 mtrs down into the valley, keeping to the left at the junction, continuing to follow the signs toward the tavern. You will pass an entrance booth and little guard house-looking thing (all will be unmanned at this hour). There is ample parking very close to the start.

Cost: $45 for either event + $5 mandatory park entry fee, payable when you register online.

Eagle and Child (Long Course): 22km +/- ~500 mtr

Eaglet and Bub (Short Course): 10km +/- ~300 mtr

Course descriptions: Ahhh, my preciouses, what a treat we have in store for you! Both races start on the same trails, an excellent technical and bouldery single track, followed by a good, short steep climb and fun descent as reward. This is the most technical section. The two courses will then diverge, with the short course going over Mt. Doom. This is a nice, wide fire trail that climbs steadily for two entire km. This is the bit we call the "Bub" (ponder the analogy whilst you climb). Then you join back in with the long course racers for the last few km. So, essentially, the Eaglet and Bub Short Course follows the first few km of the long course, but then takes a "short cut" across the middle of the loop. There are some great views of the surrounding valleys and down towards the city for both courses.

As for you folks doing the Eagle and Child Long Course... you get to enjoy more and more single track, as you search for the magic ring of invisibility! The single track gives way to some fire trail sections, particularly as you close in on the finish.

Both courses will be well flagged, with tape approximately every 300mtr. It will be marshalled at a few key intersections. We always do our best to keep you on course, but it is your responsibility to listen attentively at your race briefing and keep aware of the flagging and other signage whilst on course.

Aid Stations: There will be one aid station for the Long Course ONLY at approximately halfway, providing water, electrolytes, and basic carbohydrates in the form of fruit, gels, lollies, and the like. Depending on race day weather, a second aid station may be provided.

Mandatory gear: A container holding a minimum 500ml of fluid is mandatory for all our races, even in winter, yes. We recommend you carry at least 1ltr. And maybe a space blanket, a flint, and headlamp (just kidding, we're ultra runners; it's a habit!)

Post race festivities: We encourage you to stick around at the finish to cheer others in. It's a trail-running kind of ethos. But with winter coming on, be sure to bring a change of (warm) clothes and a beanie so you're comfortable whilst you wait. We'll have hot tea, coffee, soup and bread available. Award ceremonies start after the majority of runners are back, likely at 11 AM.

Online Entry (closes Wednesday 6 June @ 9 PM WA time unless sold out earlier).