Mt
Feathertop Skyrun 50Km Ultra
Saturday 03 December 2005
Updated 1 July 2005
Take part in one of the most amazing
high altitude runs that Australia has too offer.
The inaugural short course 50 KM ultra
at Mount Hotham in the heart of Victoria’s high country. Experience the thrill
of running the famous Razorback ridge to the summit of Mt Feathertop,
Victoria’s second highest peak and Australia’s only real mountain, enjoy
stunning views from Swindlers Spur and the upper reaches of machinery Spur and
enjoy the stunning views from the Alpine Way – al weather permitting.
The
Mt Feathertop Sky run will be a totally self supported run, it is not a race.
Runners are fully responsible for their own safety and assume full liability
for their participation. Participants should offer assistance to other runners
in distress and must give way to walkers, especially on the Razorback track. NB. A limit of 35 participants is in place.
No
support personnel or equipment is available other than at the accommodation at
Mt Hotham. This is an arduous course with 2 major climbs (one short and steep
and the other long and steep but both are runable) that take a cumulative toll. The run has been
scheduled for Saturday 03 December with the pre race briefing taking place
immediately prior to the run at the Mt Hotham accommodation (the start of the
run).
The
run takes place in an exposed Alpine environment that can be subject to sudden
and severe changes in weather. Rain, fog, high winds, sleet and snow as well as
hot sunny days can occur during December. Please do not take this run lightly,
runners have died in this region. Hypothermia is a serious risk and all runners
should be prepared for any weather conditions.
The
Mt Feathertop Skyrun should only be attempted by experienced trail runners with
good navigation experience. As a minimum, runners attempting the course must
have successfully completed at least one 30 km organised trail run in the
previous 6 months.
Distance: Two runs
will be available on the Saturday 03 December
50 km: start time - 6 am
30 km: start time - 6 am
The
early start time is necessary in order to avoid bushwalkers on the Razorback to
/ from Mt Feathertop
NB
a total of 35 runners are able to
participate, registrations will be accepted on a first in basis.
Runners will be responsible for
recording their own times and a run register (possibly with a volunteer
recorder) will be located at race Headquarters at the Mt Hotham accomodation
River and the Mt Loch Car Park. Runners
must log in at these points as a safety check.
Support: Nil. This a
self supported run. Water is available at from creeks and a spring.
Safety
Equipment:
All
runners must carry with them as a minimum the following safety equipment:-
· Waterproof map
of the area, whistle, compass - (recommended is Rooftop’s Mt Feathertop -
Hotham 1:30,000 )
· Broad bandage,
antiseptic swipes, bandaids, Nuerofen or stronger (6)
· Water proof
jacket with hood
· Spare long
sleeved polypropylene top and long johns
· Beanie, Hat,
gloves
· Torch, spare
batteries and bulbs
· Emergency
space blanket
·
Food
· Emergency food
·
Mobile Phone - (highly recommended)
·
Disposable camera - (highly recommended) - scenery is
fantastic
NB. All runners MUST have sufficient
experience/equipment to allow them to either find an alternate route back to
run headquarters or wait out the night & complete the run the following
day.
Any runner who withdraws or is unable
to complete the run back to Mt Hotham by 9pm on the Saturday MUST attempt to contact the run
director by mobile phone & advise their status.
Medical
Evacuation
Given
the nature of the terrain and the distance from the closest hospital
participants are encouraged to join Air Ambulance Victoria - any medical
evacuations are at participants cost
(www.ambulance-vic.com.au Phone
03 9379 9155)
All
runners will be provided with emergency contact numbers at the pre run briefing
AURA Members $20, Non Members $25. It
is planned that the event will be covered by the AURA insurance policy.
Accommodation charges will be additional
Accomodation
To
be confirmed at a lodge on Mt Hotham – an additional charge will apply for
accomodation
Pre run
Briefing
A pre run briefing will be conducted at
the Mt Hotham accommodation immediately prior to the start - This is a mandatory briefing and participants
should bring their running kit for checking.
No briefing = No start.
Track
Etiquette:
Mt Hotham and the Razorback is a major
recreational walking/camping area, runners are requested to show consideration
to track walkers .
Travel/Camping
Arrangements:
Travel
to Mt Hotham is by car, runners should arrive on the Friday evening. Driving time from Melbourne is
approximately 4.0 - 4.5 hours. I will be aiming to secure accommodation at a
ski lodge on a user pays basis.
Volunteers
Support
from volunteers at a couple of critical junctions would be of great assistance
as would the services of a photographer at the Summit of Mt Feathertop.
Course
Description
Available
at the pre run briefing
For further
information or to register for the Mt Feathertop Skyrun - contact:
Paul
Ashton ph: 03 9885 8415 (h) / 0418 136 070 (m)
www.coolrunning.com.au/ultra
- To be confirmed
email:
paul.ashton56@bigpond.com
Course details:
50
km Ultra Course (NB distances
are approximate)
Mt
Hotham accommodation to Diamantina Hut
4.0 km
Diamantina Hut to Mt Feathertop Summit 11.0 km (water near the Cross)
Mt
Feathertop Summit to Diamantina
Hut 11.0 km
Diamantina
Hut to Mt Loch Car park 2.0 km (water at carpark)
(Checkpoint)
Mt
Loch Car park to Dibbins Hut (via
Swindlers Spur) 10.0 km (Cobungra river)
Dibbins
Hut to Red Robin Mine (Accomodation)
2.5 km (Springs by road)
Red
Robin Mine to Mt Loch Car Park ( via Machinery Spur) 10.0 km (water at carpark)
(Checkpoint)
Mt
Loch Car Park to Mt Hotham accommodation (finish) 1.5 km
52.0 km
30 km Short
course (NB distances
are approximate)
Mt
Hotham accommodation to Diamantina Hut
4.0 km
Diamantina Hut to Mt Feathertop Summit 11.0 km (water near the Cross)
Mt
Feathertop Summit to Diamantina
Hut 11.0 km (water at Loch
Diamantina
Hut to Mt Hotham accommodation (finish)
4.0 km carpark)
30 km
Run
Headquarters
Run
Headquarters will be located at the accommodation venue on Mt Hotham
Mt
Feathertop Skyrun Ultra Marathon -
Saturday 03 December 2005
Waiver/Registration
Form
I,
the undersigned, affirm that I participate in this run at my own risk, that
there will be no support available except where provided by myself, no route
markings, no marshals, and no medical personnel in attendance and I cannot hold
my fellow runners, those who advertise the run or anyone else involved in the
run or anyone else, responsible for any accident, injury or death sustained by
anyone, anywhere or any property lost, stolen or damaged.
I
know that the run may traverse extremely rough and rugged bushland, that is
inhabited by the standard Australian wildlife ie snakes, and accept I could get
hurt, lost, dehydrated, injured or could even die. I understand that I will be
running in an area subject to severe and rapid changes in weather including,
high winds, rain and blizzards. I fully accept this on my own behalf.
I
understand that even if I am an extremely experienced athlete, I may still not
be fit enough to complete the course in daylight and I have the necessary
safety equipment for me to complete the run at night. I believe that I am fit
enough to start and complete this run, or else have the capabilities to get
back to civilisation or my support crew and that I am responsible for myself
and the cost of any search and / or rescue if I become lost or suffer any
medical problem.
In
particular I guarantee that I will not bring any legal action in regard to this
run.
I
confirm that I have had time to fully read and understand this waiver even if
it does limit my legal rights, and that I have not been pressured to sign this.
I do so of my own free will, in a sane mind.
Run
Distance: (Please Circle appropriate run distance)
50KM 30
KM
Name: Age:
Mailing
Address: Suburb: P/C
Email: Phone:
(H)
Rego
of Vehicle:
(M)
Emergency
Contact: Name: Phone:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature: Date:
Entry
fee – AURA Members $20, Non Members $25. Payment of the fee allows non members
coverage by the AURA insurance policy for the event.
Post to:- P. Ashton Payment by Cheque made out to P.
Ashton
34 Eleanor St
Ashburton 3147