Event Guide

Welcome to the Inaugural Hidden Vale Trail Running Festival!

Thanks for signing up to join us for this brand new event! We can't wait to share the stunning trails of Hidden Vale Adventure Park with you. With its vast network of well-maintained, privately owned trails winding through beautiful bushland, Hidden Vale is the perfect setting for a trail running festival. Whether you're tackling the 47 km ultramarathon, the 35 km long course or the 11 km short course, you're in for a memorable day on some of South East Queensland's finest trails.

We've designed this event as an ideal preparation race for anyone building towards longer winter events like The Guzzler Ultra in July, but it's equally suited to anyone who just loves getting out on the trails.

Please make sure you thoroughly read through this entire guide. It contains all the information you'll need to ensure the day runs smoothly. See you all out there soon!

Our courses make the most of Hidden Vale Adventure Park's well-maintained mountain bike and trail network. The terrain is entirely off-road with varied surfaces including fire trails, single track and mountain bike trails. Expect rolling hills with some steep climbs and descents. Trail shoes with good grip are strongly recommended!

All courses start and finish at the event precinct. The longer distances are multi-lap formats, so you'll pass through the precinct between laps.

For course maps in different formats, please refer to the Event Information page.

As many of you would know, trail running is a bit different to a road running event. You'll need to keep an eye out for course markings. Here's how they work:

The course will be marked with flagging tape (reflective yellow and pink webbing) pegged to trees, posts and other fixtures along the course. Pink and blue arrow signs will complement the flagging, particularly at key turns and junctions.

Signs with both pink and blue arrows mark the Northern section of the course that all athletes will run on.

Signs with only pink arrows mark the Southern section of the course that only participants in the 35 km race (FIRST LAP ONLY!) and 47 km race are destined to experience.

“X” or signs with crosses mean “Do NOT follow this direction.”

If you can't see the next marker within approximately 100 m, you've likely gone wrong. Stop and retrace your steps to the last marker you saw.

Where there are no route options or intersections, markings may be spread out and irregular.

Unless otherwise marked or directed, follow the main track at all intersections. If there's no marking at a minor track junction, continue along the main track.

Keep to the left-most side of all trails. The etiquette is the same as when driving on the road.

• Event Precinct: Water and electrolytes will be available at the start/finish area. Multi-lap runners can refill here between laps.
• Checkpoint: You'll find a checkpoint with water and a first aider after roughly 5 km on course. If you're running the 23 km lap, you'll arrive back at that point after roughly 17 km into the lap (measured from the event precinct).

There's no food or nutrition provided on course, so you're responsible for carrying your own nutrition and electrolytes.

Heads up! Gear checks may be conducted prior to or during the event.

Your safety is our top priority.

• Stay on the marked course at all times. Don't trespass on neighbouring properties or bushland outside the course.
• Don't wear headphones. With hundreds of runners on the trail network, we need you to be able to hear each other, instructions from marshals and other trail users.
• If you withdraw from the event after starting, notify us immediately so we don't launch a search for you. Report to the timing tent at the event precinct.
• Don't run under another runner's bib under any circumstances. This is especially dangerous for trail running, where rescue efforts depend on identifying who's on course.
• Any child under 12 who has been granted an age exemption must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian entered in the same event.

The event will proceed in most weather conditions. In the event of severe weather (extreme heat, severe thunderstorms, bushfire threat or flooding), the Race Director may delay the start, shorten a course or cancel the event entirely. The Race Director's decision is final.

Any changes will be communicated via the event Facebook page, Instagram, email to registered participants and announcements at the event precinct on the day. Check your email on the morning of the event.

• Toilets will be available at the event precinct. There are no toilets on course. Please leave plenty of time before your race start.
• Multi-lap competitors can refresh themselves at the event precinct after each lap. You may leave personal supplies in a designated area at the event precinct (at your own risk!), or receive them there from your support crew.
• Spectators should remain at the event precinct. There are no spectator facilities on course.

A charity BBQ will be provided by the North Ipswich Scouts Group and coffee and food will be available from the Spicers Hidden Vale facilities.

Bring a chair or picnic blanket, as well as pop-up shade if you have it, and make a morning of it! The event precinct is suitable to bring the family along.

The event will be professionally timed and official results will be published on the Results page as soon as possible after the event.

Photos from the event will be made available by Post Race. Links will be posted on the results page and via social media.

Race bibs will be available for collection at the event precinct from the time registration opens on event morning. See the schedule above for exact times.

• Bibs must be worn on your front and be visible to receive an official time.
• Do not fold, cut or obscure your bib number.

Presentations will take place at the event precinct at the times shown in the schedule above. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 male and female athletes per distance. Participants must be present to claim prizes.

We will also have prizes from sponsors to be given away via random prize draws. So, stick around even if you weren't one of the fastest ones out there.

Remember, we're all guests on private land. Please be mindful of the following:

• Participants found littering or vandalising any section of the course will be disqualified. Carry all your rubbish with you. There are no bins on course.
• Remain on the marked course at all times. Do not trespass on neighbouring properties.
• Drive carefully to and from the event. Do not park in the Spicers Hidden Vale car park.
• Be considerate of Spicers Hidden Vale guests. Keep noise to a minimum when arriving and leaving.
• All tracks remain open to other park users. Be considerate of anyone else on the trails.
• Dogs are not permitted to run in the event.

Please note: the last couple of days before the event are very busy with course marking and other preparations, and we may not be able to reply before race day. Rest assured, most answers can be found in this guide or on our website. See you on the trails!