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Bring the Family!

Raffertys Coastal Run
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Saturday 16th July 2016

The second edition of Raffertys Coastal Run is shaping up to be another gem on the trail running calendar. If you are like us and prefer your trail running with a good dose of pristine nature then you better sign up for the Raffertys Coastal Run. We only know of one other event that matches this one for sheer beauty, the Coastal Classic and it has sold out!

There are three course distances to choose from – 10km, 22km and 35k to accommodate runners of all abilities. Starting and finishing at Raffertys Resort, the trail snakes through the Wallarah National Park taking in the sites of beautiful Lake Macquarie and the stunning coastline of historic Catherine Hill Bay and the Munmorah State Conservation Area.

Bring the Kids

If we haven’t said it before – the Raffertys Coastal Run is not a one off running event, it is a chance for runners to bring their family, unwind and enjoy a relaxing weekend at Raffertys Resort.

To assist running families, the resort is offering a “Kids Club” – a childcare facility for kids operating for the duration of the event. Kids will be looked after by childcare professionals and includes a day filled with fun and activities. This year also features the brand new Kid’s Fun Run for children aged 5 to 12 so they can compete just like Mum & Dad, complete with a medal! You can book in for kids club (includes a kids lunch) when you enter the event, for more details CLICK HERE. For more details on the Raffertys Kid’s Fun Run CLICK HERE

Entries for the Raffertys Coastal Run & Raffertys Kid’s Fun Run are now open via the link below – come and run one of the best new trail running events in NSW and have a relaxing weekend at the same time.

Event Wrap Up

Convict 100
St Albans, NSW
Saturday 30th April 2016

The iconic Convict 100 has been and gone for another year with over 900 riders tackling the sandstone ridge lines, kayak bridge and the stones and rock ledges of tracks originally carved out of the Australian bush by convicts many years ago.

A few showers early in the day did nothing to dampen spirits but simply keep the dust away. The historic village of St Albans was buzzing with excitement as the starts for the 100km, 68km and finally the 44km course came and went.

Out on course the racing was fast and furious with leading Elite riders in both the Male and Female categories striking out on their own from early on. Following on from his tactics in 2015 Tristan Ward attacked the Elite Male riders early and opened up a lead over the chasing group which contained the pre-race favourites including Shaun Lewis and Cory Wallace, both former winners. Tristan was eventually caught after 50km but wasn’t done with attacking again before being joined by 24 hour racing legend Jason English. Jason showed his experience and attacked with 25km to go, really hitting his stride as other riders started hitting the wall, eventually finishing as a clear winner in 3 hours 53 minutes and 8 seconds, his 2nd victory in this great event. Tristan held on for 2nd in front of the fast finishing Marc Williams, two young riders to watch out for in the future.

In the Elite Female category Imogen Smith found herself alone by the top of the steep Jacks Track climb and was left with no option then to keep going. Riding within herself she conserved energy when she could in what turned out to be a lonely solo ride to victory in a cracking time of 4 hours and 31 minutes. Emma Viotto came home in 2nd in the Elite Female category while Liz Smith was hamstrung by a broken pedal after 60km leaving a long and painful 40km stretch on one leg. Not something you would wish on your worst enemy.

While the Elite riders were finished and enjoying their free 4 Pines beer the rest of the field were up in the hills chasing their own goals. If that was to win their age category, set a PB or simply to finish all were challenged by the course and enjoying the journey that is the Convict 100. This isn’t an event of short loops around and around the same section of track, this is a journey, a trip into the unknown where the pain in the legs is dulled by the spectacular views and exciting riding.

As the hours passed the sleepy little town of St Albans once again become a mountain biking mecca with riders swapping stories of glory or pain, of goals achieved or plans foiled but all having one thing in common. They will be back in 2017!