The Freycinet Challenge starts and ends with the Trail Run stages and the courses take you along some of the most scenic trails on the Freycinet Peninsula. You will be running through scrub lands in the National Park, rock hopping on the waters edge, running on beaches, clambering up sand dunes and climbing mountains on rough hiking tracks.
There will be race officials at certain points of the courses and they'll be making sure you're on track! Race officials will also provide assistance, should you get into any trouble.
As with all the other stages, you are responsible for your own wellbeing when racing. Carrying your own hydration and nutrition is highly recommended. It is also recommended you carry your own phone, so you can call for help should you need it.
Trail Run: Day 1
Stage: 1 (all categories, except Juniors)
Distance: 17.38 kilometres
Elevation Gain: 453 metres
Terrain: Bush tracks, coastal rock hopping, beaches, soft sand
Equipment: Trail running shoes
The Trail Run on Day 1 is the first leg of the Freycinet Challenge and starts at the Wineglass Bay Car Park. The course takes you into the Freycient National Park on the trail that loops around Mount Mayson. You'll be following the dedicated hiking track in an anticlockwise direction. The route will take you along the scenic Hazard Beach Track, then along Hazards Beach before joining up with the world-famous Wine Glass Bay Track taking you up over the challenging “saddle”. At the top you can take in the magnificent view before making your descent back to the Wineglass Bay Car Park. From there you will run back to the Village Green in Coles Bay via Richardsons Beach.
Stage: 1 (Junior category only)
Distance: 9.1 kilometres
Elevation Gain: 251 metres
Terrain: Bush tracks, coastal rock hopping, beaches, soft sand
Equipment: Trail running shoes
The first leg of the Freycinet Challenge for the Junior athletes also starts at the Wineglass Bay Car Park. The course takes you up to the Wine Glass Bay Lookout at the top of "the saddle" on the dedicated hiking tracks. At the top you can take in the magnificent view before making your descent back to the Wineglass Bay Car Park. From there you will run to the Village Green in Coles Bay via Richardsons Beach.
Trail Run: Day 2
Stage: 8 (all categories)
Distance: 9.19 kilometres
Elevation Gain: 164 metres
Terrain: Beaches, coastal rock hopping, bush tracks, sand dunes
The Trail Run on Day 2 is the final leg of the Freycinet Challenge and starts at the Village Green. The course initially heads along the Esplanade to a point opposite the Wineglass Bay Cruise jetty and then back to the Village Green. Runners then head along to the northern end of Muirs Beach. From there, you'll be rock hopping along the coast until you reach a track that takes you up into the bush land. You follow that track to a turning point at Swanwick, then follow the same course back to the Village Green.
Other stages
Take a look at the other stages of the race: