I leave the hut and its’ warm fireplace and big crack of thunder hits! I don’t want to run down as it will smash my legs. The organisers are urging us to get a move on and head back down due to the bad weather. I reach the top and down a banana sandwich, before doing the return descent that can only be done on foot. They all have their wet weather gear on as the weather is starting to close in and the clouds are back. The last big climb is coming up and the front runners are heading back down. The clouds lift for a while and a little bit of running is doable. It is beautiful as the wild flowers are out and you can smell the tea tree and honey suckle trees. I decide to march my way up the hill – some places you are looking down the side of the mountain. After living in the mountains for a couple of years I never got used to the clouds and it makes me feel dizzy and a little disorientated, so I take my time on the narrow tracks. The clouds are settling in and surrounding us, stealing the view. The climb has started and the gradient reminds me of the climb out of Kedumba Valley in the Blue Mountains, NSW. The run starts on the road and then finally heads into the bush along a single track. No complaints here, that means less elevation and less distance. We have been advised that due to bad weather the race will only be to the hut and not to the summit. As usual, there’s a line up at the ladies’ prior to starting and after the briefing we are ready to go. The blisters are covered and in the shoes, so that is a start, no soreness in the legs.
It’s Day 2 and I don’t arrive so early which is nice to have a sleep in and I’m trail side by 7:30am.
#4peaks racing driver
Day 1 is done and my trusty driver is there to shuttle me back down the hill.ĭay 2 – Sunday 3 November – Mt Feathertopĭistance: 10.58km Elevation Gain: 1200m Total Elevation: 1703m Time: 2:13:06 Return Run: 10.58km
A few more stairs and I’m there, crossing the finish line. I continue on and it’s not long until I reach the top and runners are starting to make their way back down (either you return on foot or wait for the bus). My socks have slipped and although I try to pull them up I know I am trouble and stop to put some band aids on as the blister on one heal has already broken. Although still continuing to climb, the little bit of technical trail keeps your mind off it. It’s not long until we are marching, about 3 km in and there is the opportunity to run again, but this is Day 1 of 4 and I don’t want to push too hard, so I continue to march with few jogs along the way.Ī couple of road crossings later and we are half way, then the fun begins – true trails, clambering over rocks and lovely single trail. Straight away the climbing starts and the runners are spreading along the path. The run starts with a swing bridge and it is swaying. It isn’t long before the runners are called to the start line and we are off. The walkers were called over for their briefing and a man is telling his story of running up and down Mt Buffalo twice a day since the 1st of October, getting ready for his run across the widest point of Australia for CHANGE. I wasn’t sure what to expect so I turned up at 6:30am and got my bib in 5 minutes – no crowds, no lines. The day starts with a meeting point at the base of Mount Buffalo in the National Park. Please enjoy Rebecca’s recap of this epic event…ĭistance: 10.36km Elevation Gain: 1091m Total Elevation: 1348m Time: 2:18:57
With spectacular scenery, snow, rain, thunderstorms and maybe just a little sunshine, 4 Peaks is 4 seasons in 4 days and then some. The name sums this one up perfectly, as you literally climb to the peak of 4 different mountains, 4 days in a row. A couple of weeks ago one of our runners took part in the 4 Peaks Alpine Challenge in Bright, Victoria.
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