Cairns 2 Kuranda Train Race

The most spectacular train race in the world…

Course Description

RACE BRIEFING TIME: 0830
RACE START TIME: 0845

The race starts adjacent to the Freshwater Station on Lower Freshwater Road, Kamerunga, Cairns, in sunny North Queensland. Leaving the train to begin it’s 31km winding journey through tunnels and rainforest to the tablelands town of Kuranda, runners follow Lower Freshwater Road through the sugar cane fields.
At 2.5km, runners turn right entering a grassed area on the banks of the mighty Barron River in the Kamerunga Conservation Park. Heading up stream on the pathway at 3km the track passes under the Kamerunga Bridge and the lowest point of the run, just above sea level. Shortly after the pathway joins the small roundabout on Stoney Creek Road. Here the runners enjoy several hundred metres of flat road running, before a rollercoaster climb into Stoney Creek and the end of the first relay leg (5km).

At the relay change over and drink station, runners enter the Barron Gorge National Park. Immediately after crossing Stoney Creek via an old bridge you turn right onto the Douglas Track and the serious climb begins. For the next 3km runners are on steep single track, in dense tropical rainforest, which has slippery tree roots and rocks to test the most seasoned trail runner. It is important to remember to give way to other track users, as we don’t have sole use of this wonderful park. Towards the top a steel bridge is reached and you must cross the rail track here.
AT NO TIME DURING THE RACE ARE RUNNERS TO BE ON OR NEAR THE RAIL TRACKS.

With a bit more climbing on a narrow switch back track through a grassed area the junction with McDonalds Track and the next drink station is reached. Take the time to observe the stunning view over Cairns and the Coral Sea. From here runners follow the Barron Gorge on an undulating 4WD track passing through the 400m point in elevation three times. Another drink station is reached just before the drop into Surprise Creek which is crossed on a steel bridge at 11km. This marks the beginning of the last major climb of the day, and runners enter an area of casuarina and cypress forest.
Wright’s Lookout, marks the final relay change over and another drink station at the 13km point. Runners follow the shaded and sealed Barron Gorge Road. At 16km opposite the Rob Veivers Drive Environmental Park (Jum Rum), you will be directed onto the footpath, and shortly after another drink station runners turn right onto a paved bush track which descends to the banks of the Barron River, passing underneath the rail tracks. From here it’s a flat run through a stand of Melaleuca trees to the finish line, just below the Kuranda Station, and just maybe you have beaten the train.

Profile of the course

aerial shot of course — Aerial view of the Course

Race Day Information

RACE DAY INFORMATION
8th CAIRNS 2 KURANDA TRAIN RACE
THE MOST SPECTACULAR TRAIN RACE IN THE WORLD

Sunday 20th May 2018

18km (5km road + 8km trail + 5km road)

Thank you for signing up for the 2018 Cairns 2 Kuranda Train Race and supporting Trinity Family Chiropractic, a local company established 1998. We are thrilled to welcome back competitors from previous years and all newcomers.

At Trinity Family Chiropractic we have been organising fun runs in the Cairns Region since the year 2000, some of you may have been amongst the 126 entrants in the brutal 5km Smithfield Shopping Centre to the top of Chatham Terrace and back (hills have always been a favourite). Alan Courtney organised his 1st trail race in 1987, the Mangaone Bush Run, New Zealand. We endeavour to promote healthy lifestyles in the community and consider daily running and walking to be essential components of this.

18km Solo Event: aimed at experienced runners 18 years and over who must be able to complete the course in under 2.5 hours.

Team event: suitable for anyone who can run 5 km.

Stage 1: 1st runner 5 km road run.

Stage 2: 2nd runner 8 km trail run (hard).

Stage 3: 3rd runner 5 km road run.

Note: 2 person teams may enter, with one runner completing 2 consecutive stages.

Note: due to permit cut off times this event is not suitable for walkers.

“CELEBRATING SPINAL HEALTH WEEK MAY 22RD – MAY 26”

To mark this event in our office we have a special offer for all race finishers – COMPLIMENTARY CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR THIS WEEK, by appointment, please phone 4031 5550 and mention Train Race at time of booking.

Get in touch!

As part of our commitment to the community we are proud to be fundraising for Kuranda Envirocare Inc., a group of hard working volunteers dedicated to conserving and repairing biodiversity in the area and educating the community to do likewise.

Honour List: Competitors who have beaten the train:

5 x Phil Bradshaw
2 x Steven Francis, Lee Kirby,Tableland Trio,
1 x Mike Le Roux, Bini James, Anthony Rule,, Chris White, Tim McGrath,, Laurie Green, Glen Robinson, Jonathan Tindall.

Race Day Details:
Arrive: prior to race briefing at 0830, all runners to report to registration table at the Pony Club to get race number. Small gear bags can be transported to finish line, please leave them at the registration table. Drop off water pack on Pam’s morris minor ute (please clearly ID your hydration pack) if you want to collect at Barron Gorge Park Entrance, Stoney Creek – 5km Mark.
Toilet facilities: available at Freshwater Railway Station.

Start: approx 0900 when train leaves Freshwater Station.

Race Road Rules/Permit Conditions: all runners to stay on Right Hand Side of Road DO NOT CUT THE CORNERS, running towards traffic. You MUST run no more than 2 abreast, unless passing another runner. Give way to all traffic at all times (runners do not have right of way). Follow any direction of police officer or race marshal (wearing fluoro tops). Support vehicles are not to pace runners or delay other road users.

Race Numbers: all runners must pick up race numbers at start (including team members). Race numbers must be pinned to the front of your top or shorts so as to be clearly visible to marshals and timekeepers at all times. Return race numbers at the finish, they will be used for random spot prize draws.

Race Etiquette: at no point will abusive behaviour towards police officers, drink station volunteers or race marshals be tolerated.

Parklands: give way to all other track users (essential on the Douglas Track – single track). Respect the environment, drop cups at drink stations for easy clean up. Beware of moving sticks/snakes and human size chooks/cassowaries.

Drink Stations: (Approximately every 2.5 – 3km) Please hydrate properly before and during this event. You must pick up the drink yourself from the table, you will not be handed the drink. There will be Endura in branded cups and water available.

Relay Teams: it is your responsibility to get to changeover points. 1st point at Stoney Creek car park, 2nd point at Wrights Lookout.

FINISH
Prize giving is at approximately 11.30am on the river bank at the race finish. Please hand in race number for spot prize draw, you must be present at the prize giving to claim spot prizes. Trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd OPEN and 45+ Men’s and Women’s, Prizes for 1st 3 teams.

Race Records: Open Men’s Phil Bradshaw 1:13.20 (2011)  Open Women’s Susan Crowe 1:34.36 (2011)  Men 45+ Lee Kirby 1:26:53 (2015)  Women 45+ Susan Crowe 1:40:03 (2016) Team: Tableland Trio 1:27.26 (2011)

Cash Bonus $100 for new race records sponsored by Trinity Family Chiropractic
Performance prizes Travel Vouchers for 1st 3 places in each solo category supported by Queensland Rail/Kuranda Scenic Railway
Team Prizes: Novotel Oasis Resort

GOOD LUCK, ENJOY THE CHALLENGE

QUESTIONS? Contact Alan Courtney, Race Director: 0418 759 318 (leave a message)
Andrea Collins: 0418 759 381 (leave a message)