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You have 7 different run courses for you to choose from at the LAKES Trail Festival each offers a unique off road running experience. The 100k race starts at the entry to the National park, all other runs will start and finish in Providence Bay Park beside Bennett's Beach Hawks Nest. Pre-race check in will be open the Friday afternoon (July5) and all races will start Saturday 6 July. .
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All runners will receive:
- An awesome trail running experience
- A professional managed event with full medical team
- Flashy race number
- Timing Chip so we can get your finish time and splits right
- Awesome finisher medal
- Cool race tee or buff you can wear as brag kit
- Other event info & sponsor goodies
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To help with your planning download a copy of the 2024 Event Guide
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updated schedule
Friday 4 July
4pm till 7pm Pre-race check in open (all races) @ Tea Gardens Hotel
6:30pm. Race Briefing
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All runners will be sent a detailed race guide which will be posted on the website and Facebook page.
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Saturday 5 July
6am Start line buses depart - Providence Bay Park, Booner St, Hawks Nest
Drop bag drop off - Providence Bay Park
Starts
7am 100km @ Myall Lakes National Park entry gate
Pre-race check in & late entry open (50km, 30km, 12km & 1km only)
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7.30am. 70km @ Providence Bay Park, Hawks Nest
8am 50km
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8.30am 30km
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9am 12km
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3pm 1km Kids Run
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Sunday 6 July
9am Presentations
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mandatory gear
The following is the Mandatory Gear Lists for the LAKES runs It details the equipment runners will need and makes suggestions/recommendations on gear that may come in handy.
Our goal is not to have you carry loads of gear that you won’t use, and have arduous gear checks just for the sake of having gear checks. But we have to balance this out with the fact that this is an off road run, some of it in remote country. It is this combined with our racing experience that has guided this gear list. Remember it is your responsibility to carry the ‘right’ equipment, clothing and supplies for this race. The ‘right’ piece of kit depends entirely on you. We strongly recommend that you give this serious thought and test gear out before race start.
There are 3 categories – ‘Mandatory’, ‘Recommended’ and ‘Suggested’. ‘Recommended’ means just that, and are based on our experience and knowledge of the region. Ultimately your call, though “damn fool if you don’t” could apply. ‘Suggested’ can be translated as “up to you, but you may seriously regret not having it.” And, we will admit, there is a certain degree of comfort here, which may or may not appeal to you. ‘Mandatory' means you must have it and you won’t be able to race without it.
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travelling to Hawks Nest
Although many people arrive by car, getting to Hawks Nest is surprisingly easy if you don’t have your own transport. Both towns are well serviced on a daily basis by an excellent public transport service. There is a bus run from Newcastle City, Broadmeadow train station and Newcastle Airport.
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Driving to Hawks Nest from Sydney head up the M1 and follow the signs after Raymond Terrace. If you are coming down the coast once you get past Bulahdelah look for the turn approx. 20min down the highway.
Drive times:
Sydney 2hrs 44min
Brisbane 7hrs 56min
Newcastle 1hr 12min
Tamworth 3hrs 58min
Once in Hawks Nest, getting around is easy. If you arrive without your own transport, you will find that most things are within walking distance. Some venues run courtesy buses if you want a night out but you will need to call the venues to confirm what times the courtesy buses run.
need a place to stay
There is a heap of places to stay in Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens ranging from motels, to holiday houses to campsites. We recommend you contact Barrington Coast Tourism for the best advice and deals - 1800 802 692
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The Tea Gardens Hotel is offering a 10% discount on accommodation to all racers and supporters for the weekend - just tell them you are with the Lakes Trail Festival
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Ray White Tea Gardens have a great range of accommodation to suit all budgets. Give them a call on (02)4997 1300 or visit www.teagardenshawksnest.com
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You can also contact Reflections Holiday Parks. Hawks Nest is right beside RaceHQ and Jimmys Beach is just down the road. www.reflectionsholidays.com.au
support crews
Support crews are not required for solo runners with the bag drop service however they do make a welcome sight at a checkpoint. For 100km and 50km teams they will need to arrange their own transport to each checkpoint and provide a support crew.
If you have a support crew the Support Crew Detail will be sent out mid June along with the Competitor Race Booklet. It contains important information they will need to know for the event including drive times, parking and food options. It is important to note the drive between CP1 and CP2 is at least 80min and involves a car ferry across Bombah Point. NB: The car ferry is only operational 8am until 6pm.
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SUPPORT CREW RESTRICTIONS
If you choose to have a support crew, they are only permitted to assist you at checkpoints. All checkpoints can be accessed with a standard 2-wheel drive. For event management and safety reasons, support crews must obey all traffic signage and instruction along Mungo Brush Rd. Support crews and non-race participants are not permitted to run with or pace runners.
refunds & transfers
We get it - things change. The journey to an ultra distance trail run is a long one and some times people get injured or life circumstances change. You are permitted to transfer your entry and you can do this yourself via the Race Roster log in. Alternatively you can defer your entry to 2025. If you can't do either then drop us an email - hello@lakes100.com.au.
In the event that the event course is, in the opinion of the event organisers or land managers, unsafe (for example by reason of heavy rain, high winds, bushfires, "acts of god"), organisers may, in their sole discretion, attempt to re-route the course, find an alternative shortened course or cancel the event. Organisers also reserve the right to cancel the event for any other reason, which may include but is not limited to terrorism and war. If the event is cancelled, re-routed or shortened, a transfer to the 2025 event will be made. Due to the scale of the event and travel & commitment involved by competitors, it is not practical to re-schedule the event to any other weekend.
insurance
Fully Rad Adventures has public liability insurance cover. This does not include personal accident insurance for competitors. We recommend that you arrange your own personal accident insurance, ambulance cover and income protection insurance before participating in the Event to cover any unforeseen personal costs you may incur due to ambulance trips, medical expenses or time off work due to injuries sustained whilst participating in the Event. For information regarding costs of ambulance or helicopter rescue refer to the NSW Ambulance website.
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rules
You must complete the marked course on foot under your own power.
It is not permitted for someone else to run under your name or for you to run under someone else’s name.
Trekking poles are permitted but must be fully collapsible so they can either fit inside your running pack or be strapped to the outside of your running pack when not in use.
You must not fold, cut, change or cover your race number in any way. It must be worn as is, unfolded and visible at all times on the outside of your clothing and on the front of your body. Do not cover over your race number with any backpack strap or article of clothing such as thermal top, waterproof jacket (including see-through jackets) or high-visibility safety vest.
The wearing of headphones is permitted. However, you must switch off music at all checkpoints so you can hear directions given to you by event marshals, you must switch off music when travelling on all public roads so you can hear approaching traffic.
If you need First Aid help on the course you must use the phone numbers on your Emergency Instructions Card to contact the Event Safety Team who will arrange to retrieve you. Support crews are not allowed to enter the event course to collect runners.
A High Vis Safety Vest that complies with Australian Standard AS / NZS 4602:1999 –D/N Class for day and night time wear must be worn over the top of your torso and back pack at the times and locations as specified in the Competitor Briefing document. Your race number must still be visible at all times on the outside of your high-visibility safety vest.
You must stay on the marked course. Short cuts are not permitted. If you get lost, return to the last sighted marking.
You must carry your Mandatory Gear at all times during the event. Random gear checks will be performed.
You must obey directions of checkpoint staff or event marshals and withdraw from the race if you miss any time cut-offs at checkpoints or on course.
Fully Rad has a leave no trace policy. Littering is prohibited. Also, you must not leave human faeces on the track. If you need to poo either use a toilet, a wag bag or get well off the track and use leave no trace principles.
You must obey any information signs such as track closures, etc.
The runner is responsible for the actions of their support crew. Support crews must comply with all instructions from event staff and officials. The runner may be penalised or disqualified for actions or breaches of the rules by their support crew.
Support crews must obey all road rules and drive within the speed limits. Please ensure that support crew get sufficient rest and are not tired when driving.
Support crews must follow the instructions of all checkpoint staff, road marshals and road traffic controllers.
Outside assistance is only permitted at checkpoints. You must not receive outside assistance at any other points on the course. Assistance from event staff is fine.
Support crews and non-race participants are not permitted to run with or pace runners.
Pacers are not permitted.
Support crews are not allowed to enter the event course to collect runners.
Support crews are limited to one vehicle per participant at Checkpoints.
Fully Rad Adventures is not responsible for the safety or whereabouts of support crew.
Fully Rad Adventures reserves the right to discourage and/or penalise behaviour that is considered unsporting.
Breaking any of the rules may incur a time penalty, disqualification or pre-race withdrawal. Any such penalties are at Fully Rad Adventures discretion and are final.
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