Topo Maps of the area or detailed course route

[gogirl]

I was just wanting to know where I can get some topo maps of the track or some more detailed directions of the Course. I would like to do a few training runs before the event and would really like to make sure I was going on the correct trail.

Thanks!

[Alina]

You should be able to get a general idea from the topo map on the website.  We will put up a higher resolution map shortly and a detailed description of the course.  Please note however that the course goes through many pockets of private property.  Please don't go through these private property areas in training.  We don't have permission for this and we don't want to loose the ability to pass through here for the actual event.

The best tip for training in the area is to do lots of hills.  You can buy topo maps of the area from an outdoor / camping store or a map shop.  A good loop to train would be to start at Echo Point, run down the Golden Stairs on to the Federal Pass, along Sublime Point Ridge to Kedumba Pass and Cleary Memorial Lookout.  Then along Kedumba Valley Road to Queen Victoria Hospital. Either do a car shuffle before hand so you can finish here or continue along Tableland Road, left into Hordern Road and onto the walking track to Wentworth Falls.  You can follow this cliff top track all the way to the finish of the event at York Fairmont in Leura.  To get back to Echo Point, go around the Leura Golf Course and back on to the cliff top track past Gordon Falls, Leura Cascades and Jamisons Lookout.  This would be about 50km.  Make sure you take a map, water, food, first aid, extra clothes and a mobile phone.

[Rod]

Any idea when the better quality maps will be downloaded onto site.  Would be handy to have a number of A4 sized maps of sections of the course.  Also some course notes would be nice.


Cheers
Rod

[Alina]

All participants will be given detailed course maps and course notes and directions.  The course will also be clearly marked.  While most of the course is in the National Park, there are sections within private property.  We do not have permission to use these sections other than for the actual event.  Runners training for the TNF100 may not pass through these private property areas.  As such we are hesitant to provide detailed maps of the whole course until the event.  There are plenty of runs in the area which are all within National Park and on public tracks to train on.  Maps of these tracks can be found at the Tourist Information Centre.

Train well - and train on the hills
alina 

[Elizabeth]

Hi fellow runners,

I hope you are all getting some training on the course and having better luck than me.

I bought detailed Katoomba and Jamison maps with a view of doing a 35km loop today from the Start/Finish via the Sublime Point Ridge, Kedumba Pass & Queen Vic Hospital - a similar route as suggested in this post.  The course map appears to take you along the Federal Pass then at some point you converge across to the Sublime Point Ridge track - this is where we got lost.  At no point that we found today do the 2 tracks meet - could you please clarify how / where you go from the Federal Pass Track onto the Sublime Point Ridge track?  Is it near the Leura Forest?  We though we could see the other track but there was no way of getting to it, other than through the bush.  Could you also please let us know when you will be supplying detailed maps as the commercially available maps are not clear on this point either.

Other than getting lost we did have a fantastic training run out there today - very much looking forward to this fabulous event.

[Rod]

All participants will be given detailed course maps and course notes and directions.  The course will also be clearly marked.  While most of the course is in the National Park, there are sections within private property.  We do not have permission to use these sections other than for the actual event.  Runners training for the TNF100 may not pass through these private property areas.  As such we are hesitant to provide detailed maps of the whole course until the event.  There are plenty of runs in the area which are all within National Park and on public tracks to train on.  Maps of these tracks can be found at the Tourist Information Centre.

Train well - and train on the hills
alina 

Alina,

You have interest in this event, but IMHO, you are killing enthusiasm of people with this approach to the course.  We all understand there is a no go area and we can see where it is on the course.  It would be much better to post the course and clearly mark the area where people can not go.  That leaves everyone in no doubt about the situation.  Your advice is to train on public trails in the Blue Mountains.  Well probably 85-90km of this course is just that, so getting the information out allows people to have a run over the course on the public sections.

As it is you have people scratching their heads where this race is going.  We now have a CP in Old Ford Reserve.  I have the topo maps and know exactly where it is, but it is not on the course route map that is posted on your site.  KM markers dont match with your site and there have been changes in support crews being allowed into different CP.  In addition there is a bridge out of play on the escarpment at Leura that will cause problems towards the end of the run.  This lack of information does cause a degree of confusion with runners.

This is a 100km event, not a 5km fun run.  I think runners should have a chance to check the course prior to the event, work out terrain etc and factor all this into our food/drink requirements for drop bags.  You also have to remember there will be a lot of runners doing there first ultra event for this one, and would be extremely apprehensive.  It does help people to know what is exactly in store for them, rather than ' we will give you a map on the day and the course will be clearly marked'.

Dont think this is a case of sour grapes.  I totally support what you are trying to do and welcome any 100km event in the Sydney area.  I believe you have this forum in place for a reason - to post information and receive feedback.  I hope this is taken as constructive feedback.


Cheers
Rod

[Elizabeth]

Rod, I could not agree more - 2 weeks ago I posted to this thread in an attempt to get clarification on a part of the route and an apparent crossing of paths that, quite simply, I could not find.  To date I have not received any response.  I too have wanted to train over the public sections of the course, especially the sections we will do during the night of the event.

My concerns about the course / maps and other practical issues now spread to the night sections and lead me to wonder how well the course will be marked if the specifics of the route remain unclear and untested some 6 weeks out.

ANY feedback would be appreciated.

Liz

[Keith]

Hi Liz,
A few of us have already done the loop that you were lost.It is very difficult for me to describe to you where to turn. The best way is to join us or some of teh CR on the coolrunning forum for the run. There is a run next Friday. It should be good as we think it will be a good 12 hours on the feet.

This forum is perhaps not very condusive to obtain information. There are a lot of experience runners in this forum. Ask your route related questions there. You will get an answer, or close to it. (if you are not already)

http://www.coolrunning.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=16537&pid=310204&st=225&#entry310204

Hope to see you on some of our "public' runs...

[Alina]

Thanks for the feedback.  I do understand there is some confusion with the course.  Please bear in mind that this is the inaugral event.  As with any first time events such as this there are many land and access issues that keep on appearing.  The maps on the website represented the initial tested route.  It has taken months to gain approvals and such approvals where not very forthcoming with private land owners in the Megalong Valley.  New, more detailed maps have been provided to The North Face to put up on the website.  This website is maintained by a third party and unfortunately this means we have very little control over it.  So in the mean time, I have put up a series of higher resolution maps of the latest route on our website http://www.arocsport.com.au/TNF100/TNF100_home.html.  Whilst we believe this will be the final route, there may be some small changes in the Iron Pot Ridge area and the Wentworth Fall area.

We have known that Lillians Bridge has been out but it has only been 2 months ago that National Parks have confirmed that it will now not be fixed for this years event.  We are hoping that it will be fixed by next year!

This event is the most amazing running course - I reckon anywhere in the world!  We have put a huge amount of work into this event.  It will be awesome and well run on the day.  There are some things that need to be done better on the website and we will work with The North Face to improve this.

Thanks for your patience and keep up the training - you will need it!!

[Dale]

Again your enthusiasm seems misplaced when you don't know exactly where the course goes and some amorphus being is in charge of the website. I have no interest whatsoever in your administrative problems. I entered a100k run which you advertised. If you were not ready to put it on you have no right to advertise it. The course and all the details should have been well and truly sorted before you took the leap into telling people you were putting it on. This poor administration does not bode well for those of us participating. This is not just a whinge; it is a matter of personal safety.

[dani]

Dale how about you pull your head in and calm down...you obviously have no idea what it takes to organise an event nor an event of this magnitude! How about some patient and respect to the organisers and website people!!!!!!...I can only hope you are the only one(whinger)who feels this way!

[Craig]

I'll second that Dani. BTW, what is an 'amorphus???  Is it like a xenophobic. Dale, please explain.

[Bethany]

If the way these guys run their Adventure Races is anything to go by, I have no doubt it will be a fantastic and most professionally run event!

[Alina]

Thanks to those that have faith!  With any event there are always tweeks that need to be made to the course.  The substance of the course has remained the same from the beginning.  The variations have been to the Ironpot Ridge area - which is private property, and the finish section. 

Dale, if you are not happy with the event then rather than abusing us I would prefer if you did not participate at all.  I am more then happy to refund your entry fee.

[Lisa]

Thanks to the organisers for the race. If not for them we wouldnt even have one to run in!  We need to appreciate their efforts.  Those that are not happy with the aid at the CPs, the distance from start to when support crew get access etc, may like to come do one of our ultras over here (NZ). The last one we had in the South Island (and it is a fantastic race I may add) does not have markers every km. Has NO crew access at all in the 70kms (it is in our Mtns and there arent even any access roads - so no pulling out you gotta go to the end).  Our Cps consist of a person to take down your number and supply you with some drink, gels and lollies and that is if you are desperate as you are meant to take your own supplies. Basically you support yourself the WHOLE way. If you go the wrong way, well so be it, you just turn around find the right way and carry on.
Personally if I wanted to do a race that was all nice and packaged and no surprises - I'd just go do a big city marathon.........but then where is the challenge, excitement and adventure in that??!!!!!!!
P.S.  Sorry I just had to add my comments as it is hard to find many good ultra events and I would hate the organisers to think their efforts are not appreciated and not run these kind of races again.