Sunday 18th June 2023
The Glow Worm Tunnel 30km course takes runners on an amazing journey along a course that takes in the best sights of Newnes and the Wolgan Valley. Runners will encounter creek crossings, sections of long single trail, old mine cuttings, ruins and some long forgotten railway easements. The terrain is exciting, challenging and you may find it hard to keep the smile from your face. The first half of the marathon is a steep mountain trail and the second half is a railway grade up trail, skirting the cliff line and making its way up through the Glow Worm Tunnel and returning to Newnes. The event starts and finishes in Newnes and from the moment you arrive in “town” you will revel in the serene surroundings.
Statistics
Distance: 30km
Ascent: TBD
Profile & Map: HERE
Course Description:
Start Newnes Event Hub – Pipeline Track to Pergoda Track Lookout turn around point – back to Pipeline Track – descend the Pipeline Track – Newnes (Aid Station) – Causeway crossing – Old Newnes Rail Trail – 4 Ways (Aid Station) – Old Coach Road – Pagoda Track – Glow Worm Tunnel Walking Trail – In/Out Tunnel – Old Coach Road to 4 Ways (Aid Station) Return to Nenwes via GWT Walking Track, Old Newnes Rail Trail track – cross Causeway to finish at Newnes Event Hub. Distance: 30km
Directions:
Starting at the Event Hub, runners make their way towards the campground and do a quick clockwise lap before heading down into the Wolgan Valley on the Riverside Trail. Here runners ascend the steep Pipeline Pass with an excursion to the Pagoda Lookout at the top. Quick turn around after seeing the awesome view and then rejoin the Pipeline Pass for the descent back down the way you came up. After hydrating and grabbing some refreshments at the Event Hub Aid Station, runners cross the Wolgan River and make their way onto the Wolgan Valley Rail Trail. After 7km at the 4 Ways intersection of the Old Coach Road and Wolgan Valley Rail Trail at Penrose Junction there will be an aid station. From the Aid Station, runners will follow the Old Coach Road up the hill for 3 kms and then take the Pagoda Trail to the opening of the Glow Worm Tunnel. Runners are then required to walk through the Glow Worm Tunnel. Upon exiting the tunnel athletes are to make their way to the turnaround point, and go back through the Glow Worm Tunnel (yes you get to go through twice) and upon exiting the tunnel make their way onto the Pagoda Trail, Old Coach Rd and down to the 4 Ways Penrose Junction Aid Station. It is then a fast 7km back down the Wolgan Valley Rail Trail towards the finish line at the Event Hub.
Contingency Course if Wolgan Road is still closed:
Start/Finish at Glen Davis Campground. Run the Pipeline Track to Newnes (Aid Station), cross the Causeway and run on the Old Newnes Rail Trail to the turn around point. Do a lap of the Newnes Industrial Ruins loop – cross Causeway – Newnes (Aid station), Pipeline Track to finish at Glen Davis. This route is pending NPWS approval.
Checkpoints
CP1: Newnes Event Hub, approx 9km
CP2: Penrose Gully 4 Ways, approx 16km
Water & Tailwind Nutrition, Lollies, Chips
** Random Gear Check here.
CP3: Penrose Gully 4 Ways, approx 23km
Water & Tailwind Nutrition, Lollies, Chips
It is always hard to determine the needs at an Aid Station, we will always do our best to supply the above to you at the designated Aid Stations. If you have a condition which requires certain food/drink etc – please provide this yourself to ensure you have the best event possible.