Beginner Intro to Trail Run

This run is aimed at beginners to running and trail running and is on the Saturday following the intro to trail running info session. Everyone is welcome, and there will be 2-3 options that you can choose from based on your fitness and desire to walk or run. You must attend the trip meeting to come on the run (unless you email me, but those who attend the meeting will get priority)

This run starts and ends at Fairfield Amphitheatre. Please make your own way to the amphitheatre to arrive at 9:45 am with the plan to set off at 10 am (NOTE: do not meet at the MUMC clubrooms). If you're late, we will have to leave without you. 

Option 1: 2.5km run + 2.5km walk

We will be crossing the iconic pipe bridge and running about 2.5kms from Fairfield Amphitheatre at whatever pace is best for the group (The leader will set a nice and relaxed pace, including walking breaks as needed), we will run up and down rolling trail alongside the Yarra with double track quickly switching to single track as we head under the highway and then under the Flying Foxes! This run will finish at Bellbird Park, where people can stop for a rest, drink and use the toilets, and hopefully catch sight of the cheeky kookaburra that hang around there. We will then turn around and walk back the way we came to finish at Fairfield Boathouse (a historic teahouse overlooking the river) for a cool drink and snack if people wish.

Note: If you are unsure whether you can run 5km on road without stopping, please choose Option 1 not Option 2 (there will be more trips to push yourself soon)

Option 2: 5km run, optional walk

Same as Option 1, except we will run back from Bellbird Park instead of walking back. Your group may choose to add a walking detour to see the bats on the other side of the river once you get back to the boathouse. This group will be running at whatever pace allows everyone to have a chat and feel good with walk breaks if necessary (pace might look like 6:30 minutes per km up to 8 minutes per km). 

Option 3: 8km run (if we have 3 leaders)

Same as Option 2 to start, but once you cross the pipe bridge back over the river (at the 5km mark), you will head south from Fairfield Boathouse, down the trails on the other side of the river. We'll be running on beautiful skinny single track underneath the motherload of flying foxes and through some lush bush. We will reach the hill ascending to the golf course, which is the turnaround point, and head back to Fairfield from there. This group will be running at a consistent pace of around 6:00 - 7:00 minutes per km with the goal to have walking breaks only on uphills if needed 

Important notes: 

Due to the trail being mostly singletrack and other people using it,  if we fill up the trip, we will need to split the 20 participants across the three groups so we aren't clogging up the track too much. This will be done on a first come first serve basis i.e if you sign up first, you get first preference. If a lot of participants want to do one option than we may have two groups doing that option instead of the 3 distances. 

Some of the trail is technical with exposed rocks and roots. Stable footwear is recommended. We are running on shared paths, so be aware of bikes and give way to walkers! We are also running in a park with a lot of wildlife, including running under bats. There is a very small chance that the bats may poo or pee on you. I recommend wearing a hat if you're worried. Lizards often sun on the paths, and snakes are also present in the park (though very, very rarely seen). Leaders will be carrying a first aid kit and snake bandages.

There is water at Fairfield Park (by the public toilets) and at Bellbird Park (the only turn around point for option 1 and 2), but no water in between. We recommend eating something beforehand for some energy, but you don't need to bring fuel for this run.