Goorooyaroo course notes:
Only 2 course marshals are needed (one at each turn) as the course is very straight forward. Both officials should have mobile phones with them as there are no shortcuts to the START/FINISH LINE in an emergency. Allow about 75 mins to mark course from START to 5k turnaround, if walking.
Extra marshals are probably best used as parking marshals. Parking could be an issue as the parking area is small (40 cars?) with a grassed area off a dirt road. The dirt road entry is heavily eroded and after significant rain the parking area may not be usable (see photo 1). The parking area shown in photos 2 and 3 below (200 cars?) should be considered.
Course start/finish area is located off Horse Park Drive about 1km from the Federal Highway. See Google map at - https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=z1wXC5Fga9t4.kWdYtdm8FSmI
It is worth checking the course prior for possible rough or extremely wet areas
A key to the gate would be very useful for safety reasons as there are no short cuts on the course if medical help is required. Also, useful if considering using a vehicle to mark the course.
Marking the course using an off road vehicle is feasible. A family car could probably suffice but the driver needs to be confident and competent as there are a few “rough” patches on what is generally well formed track.
Runners Ahead signs needed on Horse Park Drive?
A note in the Weekly Bulletin regarding the parking situation and that care should be exercised when entering or leaving Horse Park Drive would be appropriate.
Start area used is about 60 metres inside the gate, leading into the Park, on top of a slight rise, where there is a flatter, broader area. The track is relatively narrow and fitting 3 starts is tight so, perhaps one of the starts (Thomas) should be on the adjacent grass.
The START LINE is adjacent the 22nd steel fence picket on the left which happens to be in line with a yellow marker sign adjacent a warning sign on the right side of the track. When standing on the LINE the signs are partly obscured by a small wattle tree (see photo)
Heading from the START LINE, at about 0.25km mark there is a track to the right which requires cones. The track is opposite a Centenary Trail direction post (CTDP).
The 1km,which is also the 4km for short course return and 9km for the long course return, is located about 20 m past a drain with a large tree on the left, a yellow marker post is located near the fence. About 40m further on the left is a gate in the fence.
About the 1.65km a couple of cones are required to cut off a track to the right. There is a CTDP on the left.
The 2km, which is also the 3km for short course return and 8km for the long course return, is 20m past a red sign (readable on return journey, “crossing ahead reduce speed”) on the right, once you have crossed a dip (low crossing)in the road. There is a run-off cutting in the side of the road at this point.
The SHORT COURSE TURN, 2.5km, is a couple of metres past a pipe under the track with a gully on either side. The area is reasonably wide allowing the short course participants to U turn comfortably. This mark is before the bend where the gradient increases, see photo.
The 3km and 7km return point for the Long Course is located is about 5m past a large tree on the right, 10m before a tree on the left and 25m before a bend and rise in the road.
Further cones are required at -
· 3.17km cutting off a track to the right, opposite a CTDP
· at 3.28km cutting off a track to left, just past a creek bed which often has water puddles and are generally easy to avoid
· at 3.41km a track to the right, opposite a CTDP.
Coming out of a bend with a CTDP there is a big tree on the left with lots of little trees on the right. The 4m and 6km return point for the Long Course is just over a rise heading towards a dip and before the track climbs a little into a bend and beyond.
The LONG COURSE TURN, 5km, is located in a wide, due to another track joining, clearing on a ridge. This point is just before a significant bend in the track and a CTDP is nearby, see photo below.
Photo 2 – Looking West. View from suggested parking area located above the start area and adjacent the main road.
Edition August 2015Page 5