What time is race registration?
See the course schedule here.
But briefly, there is Registration on Friday in the week of the event at the Running Company Ballarat, PLUS at event HQ later on the Friday afternoon / evening and then just before each race distance on the Saturday.
Can I enter on the day?
YES! There are on the day entries.
WHAT DOES MY ENTRY FEE COVER?
participation medal (all distances)
professional timing and race bib
aid stations
first aid
course marking
Parks Victoria p/p fees
awesome vibe
PARKING? P’s everywhere ON THE MAP?
Yah - there is no single major parking for the event, being as it is on the shores of Lake Daylesford. Our mapping shows a bunch of parking areas within easy walk of the start/finish event HQ. The primary and biggest one (and the one we point you towards in the first instance) is found via Fulcher Street.
You can discover all Parking Spots via the CAPRA App and this link to the Event Collection Map:
EVENT TRANSFERS
You CAN TRANSFER your entry to another person. Please contact organisersand supply the following information:
Details of withdrawing runner
Details of replacement runner:
Name
Gender
Distance
DOB
Mobile
Address
Email
Emergency contact (name, relationship, mobile)
Medicals (if any)
NO you CANNOT TRANSFER to another event in the future.
You CAN downgrade from the 21km to the 12km, or to the 5km but there is no refund of the difference in fee. To downgrade (or upgrade) access your original registration via the confirmation email you received when you first entered.
HOW CAN I DOWNGRADE / UPGRADE BETWEEN DISTANCES?
Simply find the registration confirmation email that was sent to you when you entered online. At the top of the email, there will be a link for you to 'edit registration'. Follow that link and you will be able to edit your own details including distances. NOTE you will be charged the extra for upgrading, however if downgrading, there is no refund of the difference.
You can also access your original registration via the confirmation email you received when you entered.
Music?
NO! In the interests of trail safety and courtesy, we discourage the use of music. Some sections are quite tight and you’ll need to be aware of what’s going on around you. So please, no headphones! Jive to the sound of nature, eh?
DOGS?
NO! Sorry, we love dogs too, but in the interests of trail safety and courtesy, we have a 'no dogs on course' rule. Ever tried to run technical single track while a jubilant dog tried to overtake under your feet? And while dogs are allowed at the start / finish zones we do require that you keep them on a leash and under control at all times, in the interests of the comfort of all patrons. Yes, we had an instance of a dog urinating on our sponsors' fleet of test shoes. No, they weren't happy.
Medals
Yep, we’ll have em and if you finish the race then you’ve earnt one! All runners will receive one.
COURSE MARKINGS
The course will be very well marked with a mixture of signage, ribbons, and marshals BUT this is trail running, a sport / pursuit that at its core includes 'thinking' as part of the skill set. And 'noticing things'. Things like you have been running for half an hour now and have not seen anyone, nor a marking you have crossed four roads and you are heading west when the course is meant to be north-south. It is your responsibility to analyse these things and make good decision based on the briefing given to you in the event program and verbally at the beginning.
A key indicator - is there single track below your feet? Have you been following it WITHOUT hitting any 'decision points' (road crossings, trail junctions, veer offs)? Yes. And you've been paying attention? No earphones? Well, likely you are on the right trail then! Trust yourself if so!
What will be at the finish line?
FINISH ARCH! There’s also a beach AT the finish line and a swimmers pier across the way so if it’s a warm day, get a swim in! Our runners’ aid station will have the basics plus fruit. We hope to have a coffee cart, but there are also full cafe facilities just up the pathway at the Boathouse and at Walters Kiosk. You can also head up the main street of Daylesford - a 5 minute walk, for endless choice of cafes, bakeries, restaurants and - for late - bars. Feel free to bring a picnic blanket to chill out and enjoy the vibe!
WHAT IS THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LAND ON WHICH GOLDRUSH IS RUN?
Great question! Goldrush is kindly hosted on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people. As organisers and participants we like to acknowledge that our event is occurring on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Elders of the Dja Dja Wurrung community and their forebears are the traditional owners of this land and have been custodians for many centuries and have performed age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We note that the Dja Dja Wurrung gathered and managed this place for up to the last 60,000 years. We acknowledge their living culture and their unique role in the life of this region.
For more information on the aboriginal heritage and connection to the land we run on, see these links and downloads:
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation Fact Sheet
Index of Mini Poster Series (this is a great resource full of fascinating information about Aboriginal heritage).
To access individual A4 posters for free contact:
Heritage Registrar, The Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
PO Box 2392, MelbourneVIC3001
Telephone: 1800 762 003 www.aboriginalaffairs.vic.gov.au
Dja Dja Wurrung website
www.djadjawurrung.com.au
What's on the aid stationS?
Tailwind Nutrition will be supplying the main liquid based nutrition and hydration on course. We will also have your staple energy and salt kicks - lollies, chips etc. And of course, water.
Are there cups at aid stations?
NO! This one's important ... WE WILL NOT BE SUPPLYING CUPS at aid stations! You will need to bring your own hydration carrying solution. Please carry your own equipment/device for water. This could be a collapsible cup, softflask, fuel belt, handheld bottle, or hydration vest. This is to comply with waste-wise protocols and the council's determination to limit the use of thaw-away items, limit littering and preserve the pristine environment e're all running through and enjoying . If you are unsure what you should buy (if you don;t already have, we have solutions for you at The Ballarat Running Company and we will have LIMITED supplies of products on the day!
What TYPE OF shoes should I wear?
If you’ve got trails shoes, wear them. If you don’t then, yes your road shoes will get you through. You might slip and slide a bit more and they might get some wear and tear through them, but you can certainly run this race in them.
Refund Policy
Should you wish to withdraw from the event PRIOR to midnight 31st March, we will refund your entry fee, minus an administration fee ($30/$15/$10).
Should you wish to withdraw from the event AFTER 31st March, there will be NO refund, as per conditions of entry. Why? Many reasons but mostly because a significant portion of your entry fee has already been spent on printing bibs, a timing chip, permit inclusions etc. Please note that there are NO EXCEPTIONS (including doctor's certificates etc) to this rule, sorry APART from pregnancy! And even then you have to call your kid Goldie, Andy or Chris.
Prizes & presentations
Trophies and sponsor product will be awarded for Overall winners of the 21km and 12km and 5km. Sponsors product (only) will be awarded to the 2nd and 3rd place getters in both the events.
Age group results will be available ASAP via the website or via Tomato Timing website following the event.
How difficult is the running / trail?
It’s not that bad. Seriously! It is, however, different to running a road fun run. There will be ups and there will be downs (geographically, but maybe also mentally and physically!). Your feet might get wet and you may stub your toe. But the magic of the trail will outweigh all these little difficulties and you’ll totally forget that your watch tells you that you’re going much slower than on the ashphalt.
No, SERIOUSLY, HOW DIFFICULT IS THE RUNNING / TRAIL?
Okay, so the trail undulates but there are NO big mountains or even anything remotely like a hill! The trail for the most part follows a river, so it undulates along the bank, but mostly features flattish and sweeping trails that are just super fun! The section around Lake Daylesford is dead flat!
Most of the course is single track. There is a little bit of fire trail and car parks to navigate at Twin Bridges (all distances), Tipperary (21km, 12km), Bryces Picnic Area (21km only), and Blowhole (21km only). Overall there is some sublime single track to be enjoyed.
Notable, underfoot varies in technicality. For a lot of it, it's just dirt. But some has bits and bobs of rocks, there can be bark and sticks on the trail, and there are a few sections where there is a drop-off down to the river. So as with all trail runs, it pays to be mindful the entire way, watch your footing, and take it easy on the rougher sections.