March 23rd - 12:00 pm

Wild Horse Entries:
We closed entries six days early last year as during the last 10 days they were open we received 84 entries.   We’re now 10 days before the same point last year and have hit last year’s total so I’ll be surprised if entries are still open on the 6th as currently planned.

So, besides all that and here we are, just over 2 weeks out and any talk there is, is all about the weather ... how British!

I was on course last weekend and while it was soaking wet, it was fun wet, though it rained heavily throughout.   Though we’ve continued to have rain this week I have no doubt that, provided we get a break, the course will drain.  Either way, the event will be on, creek crossings and all, with provision made for any eventuality.

Looking at the forecast for the coming week, I’m guessing we’re going to get what we want.  Though there’s a ‘chance of showers’ throughout from Saturday to next Thursday, we’re going to get plenty of hot, sticky heat with sunshine and high UV.  Typical Queensland bush running conditions!!

Familiarisation Run:
We’ll be on the course this Sunday at 8:30 (that’s to run at 8:30), meeting at Wild Horse car park, to trot around the course.  Drop me a line if you’re keen, the more the merrier.

alun@wildhorsecriterium.com

 

Course Map:
The finalised course is outlined and will remain as published provided conditions permit.  If it needs changing, have no fear, you’ll now in plenty of time and any such changes will be clearly marked on the day.

You can view the outline from the ‘Course’ link on the left hand menu.  It’s very wet and very green out there at the moment which should mean plenty of fresh air on the day.

Cheers

Alun

 

March 7th - 3:00 pm

Entry Update
After the fuss generated over the last weekend with the cancellation of The 6ft Track Marathon, it’s a relief to get back to familiar territory, albeit still a little damp!  Have no fear, the rain will pose no threat to the event going ahead as we’re lucky enough to be running on the flat and our creek crossings aren’t anywhere near as hairy as those in the Blue Mountains.  We also have contingency to change the course if needed.

The most inconvenient aspect is that I’ve been still unable to get out onto the course to check its state but I’m hoping to do so over this weekend, in my wellies if need be! 

The entry list is fast approaching 150 runners at the moment, just shy of last year’s total on line entries, with 39% in the 12 km, 40% in the 36 km and 21% in the 60 km.  With the Twilight Running Festival this coming weekend representing the last major local event before Wild Horse, expect the remaining places to be taken in the coming weeks.

In other news, in a change to our sponsorship/support, Active Stride and TRAQ are now our sole supporters, with all branding reflecting this.  TRAQ, as always, endeavour to support any trail events in the area while Active Stride have been involved and supportive of the Wild Horse event from its conception to its current format.

That’s all for now, hopefully there’ll be an updated map posted following the weekend’s excursion.

Train safely and try not to break anything!!

The Leukaemia Foundation
The BBQ/sausage sizzle will be taken care of this year by the Caboolture branch of the Leukaemia Foundation.  IT will be on a gold coin donation basis with ample opportunity for donations to a worthy cause.

Also, you might want to take part in the World’s Greatest Shave campaign.  Let’s see how many shiny pate’s we can get running around the bush on the 8th!

The Course
Due to poor weather conditions I was unable to get on the course and assess so, as it stands, the published course is the finished article though I’m hoping to get a more detailed map.

I’ve had a couple of queries regarding this as some have indicated that they’d like to run the course prior to the event.  With this in mind, on Sunday 25th, two weeks out, I’ll take a group around personally so that those that wish to can familiarise themselves with the route.

Entries
Entries are steady now and we’ve just crossed the 110 mark with 40.5% in the 12 km, 41.5% in the 36km and the remaining 18% in the 60 km.  These figures are already past the inaugural figure in 2010 and almost three times the total at the same point last year.  Looks like being a busy day :o)

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From next week, there should be a lot more going on with more frequent updates with many people’s focus changing from the 6ft Track on the 10th and the Twilight Half Marathon on the 18th.  I will be braving the depths of the Cox River at 6ft on the morning of the 10th along with 849 other tragic’s so enjoy your training and be safe

 

February 18th - 5:00 pm
Entries are steadily coming in and we’re at over double the numbers we had at the same stage last year.  We closed entries early last year as 40% of entries came in during the penultimate week prior to the race.

Entrants are evenly spread over all events with the 36 km event drawing slightly more interest than the 12 and 60 km.

Tomorrow, Sunday 19th, I’ll be finalising the course and will hopefully have a map up the same evening or on Monday 20th.

Keep an eye here or visit the Facebook page at The Wild Horse Criterium for updates.

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January 25th - 3:15 pm
A provisonal course map has been published and can be viewed via the 'course' link on the left hand menu