Skyrunning
Evolves in Australia
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| The "mildly intimidating" Clearpsot from Mystic |
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| Mystic towards Mt Buffalo with Clearspot climb in the immediate view - the first glimpse of whats ahead. |
Having arrived home from a training weekend in the Victorian high
country based out of, my view of Skyrunning has definitely gotten a whole lot
fonder. I was able to get out on the trails included in all 3 events at the Buffalo
Stampede in 2015 covering around 90km in 12hrs with over 4200m of up and 4200m
of down. Summiting Mt Buffalo, Mt Porepunkah, Mystic and Clearspot, as well as
running both the Canyon and Cherry Walks and a quick spin on the rail trail to
Porepunkah throw in the keep things moving towards the big goals for 2015.
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Descending off Clearpsot looking out
to the valley and Bright below
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The Buffalo Stampede in 2014 for everyone involved was like nothing
seen before in Australia. Although I have only been running for a couple of
short years the race left an impression on the trail running community for its
great atmosphere, beautifully brutal trails, ringing cowbells and breathtaking
location. It was the first official Skyrace held down under and in many ways
the catalyst for the newly announced ANZ Skyrunning Series covering 8 events
across 10 months in Australia and New Zealand. The Buffalo Stampede in 2015 is
the Oceania Championships and as such will be a massive racing weekend with
runners of all levels converging on Bright to ply their trade on one of the 3
courses on offer.
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| A wet and slippery Mackey's Corner |
First off the Ultra and Marathon; these races were a challenge for
all in last years event. They tested the front to the back of pack runners with
such a varied and testing course for all to complete. My advice for this year,
the course is no easier than last, you still have massive climbs, long draining
descents and either 42 or 75km to cover so they both will require dedicated
preparation if you wish to finish.
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| One of the steep gradual climbs up Mt Porepunkah |
The changes to the course are small with the ascent up Mystic at the
beginning of each event slightly different this time around. The trail follows
the creek to base of the White Star Firetrail and this 3km flat section of
single track gives you a glimpse of the first hill that still has over 500m to
climb but this time in just 2km. The climb weaves in and out of the firetrail
on the downhill track and there are no breaks until you hit the launch pad, it
took me 40min 12sec to run from Howitt Park to the top and I was pushing the
climb so it’s a real lung busting start again in 2015. Other wise from that
point it is the same as 2014.
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| More climbing up and up Mt Porepunkah |
The 26er Skyrace; a new event and the shortest option on offer and
to be run on a completely different series of trails than the other races. On
Friday we drove to the summit of Mt Porepunkah to put out some water and mark
the major junctions and it was then that I realised this was going to be a
tough run. At the summit you get an amazing panorama of the highest points in
Victoria, it is truly stunning up there.
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| Hiking up Clearspot |
As for the course it covered 27km and gained 1700m with mainly
firebreaks being used as the trails offering a less technical course in terms
of trails but one that was still very enjoyable. The climb to Mt Porepunkah
takes just a touch over 10km and gains over 1000m, it is long and on-going
offering a few sections for a break but some very steep and demanding sections
too, with the last 3km of the climb becoming extremely challenging, peaking at
48% and including a false summit at around 8.5km. I think anyone running this
race will need to ready for at least a good hour on the way up to the summit
and for most it will be much more. After going to the trig point you get a nice
4km of steady downhill where the k’s seemed to tick past quickly after the long
climb.
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| One of the more runnable sections of Quinn's Gap Track |
From the 5 ways junction you follow the Tawoonga Gap Track and cover
around 5km with another 400m of gain. This track will require a great deal of
focus and strength and while it is definitely not as steep or long when it
comes to climbing it does pack some real punch on the ups. I must admit when I
reached the Quinn’s Gap Track turn I was relieved to set off on what I thought
was to be a downhill finish.
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| Slippery slide into the finish off Apex |
The Quinn’s Gap Track on the profile appears to be a downhill run
and it is in a sense with around 1000m of descent in 8km but with the several
short but quite sharp rises thrown in along the way it makes for tough running.
The downhill sections are varied between runnable faster areas to sheer quad
busting pinches and if your legs are shot at this point it will be a long
shuffle into Bright.
When you reach the top of the Apex Lookout looking over Bright, you
are roughly 1.5km from the finish and in that short distance you will further
descend around 250m on a very technical and rough single track coming out onto
the last and flattest section back to the finish. I’m sure all runners will
feel the same satisfaction as they make this point of the race and for most
that feeling will also be paired with the fact they will have finished their
first Skyrace, a great personal achievement in running.
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| Micks Track to Clearpsot Climb |
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| Mt Buffalo |
Skyrunning is not easy, it often takes in the most challenging of
trails and offers the runner the unique opportunity to test themselves against
both the course and their own physical and mental ability. The range of races
on offer at the Buffalo Stampede gives everyone the opportunity to put
themselves to the Skyrunning test, whether it be for as little as 3hrs or as
long as 15hrs, each of the races are going to be amazing for all involved.
“It’s where the earth meets the sky” Marino Giacometti, Skyrunning
Founder
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| Clearspot taking in My Porepunkah |
Photo Credits
Marcus Warner
Wes Gibson
Kel Gibson
Mel Parry
Marcus Warner
Wes Gibson
Kel Gibson
Mel Parry
