Short Course Description
Note – for the Short race run first
then bike – transition
will be adjacent to
Buzzard’s Nest Car Park (near entrance to skills
loop). Alternative lower level courses will be used
if weather is bad or vehicle access to Buzzards is
impossible
RUN ROUTE (5km)
(Please take extreme care if checking
out this route prior to the event as it uses paths
meant for walkers
and horse riders – respect other forest users!!)
Start on main track just north of Buzzard’s Nest
Car Park. Follow main track and at first track junction
turn right (Anderson Road) then first left (signed
for the radio mast). After approx 400m the track forks
- keep to the right (uphill). Climb the hill on the
forest track until it bends to the right. At this bend
turn left into the forest and follow a fire break down
hill then follow a marked route through the trees heading
back towards the south. Exit the forest via a fire
break and turn left onto the track. At the next track
junction take the right turn down a fire break continue
straight across the next track and follow a muddy walkers’ path.
Pass through a gap in the wall and continue straight
on following a grassy track. When you reach a more
open area turn left on a fainter path towards the wall.
When you reach the wall turn right and follow the grassy
path on the right side of the wall, bearing left onto
a fainter path that heads towards a gap in the wall
and back into the main Glentress forest. Cross the
wall (beware of two wire strands), turn right onto
the path and then when this meets a larger track turn
right again and run round the hill on a good track
until you reach the hill fort. At the fort take a small
path on the left that cuts through the trees exiting
at the roundhouse. Cross to the right side of the track
at the roundhouse and on the right there is a path
between the field fence and the track. Follow this
path running parallel and below the track back towards
the Buzzards. The path exits out onto the track again
near the mud pile. Turn right and follow the track
to transition. BIKE ROUTE (6 km, 370m climb)
N.B. For 2010 race route
see Bike Map option
- ignore description below
Follow main track north of the
Buzzards and at first track junction turn right (Anderson
Road). Continue
straight on past the top of the freeride area and along
to the Spooky wood climb (red route). Turn left up
the Spooky wood Climb. When the climb path crosses
the wall turn sharp right and follow the muddy track
beside the wall until it means a forest track. Turn
left on a short track then right onto the main track
heading towards the mast. On this track you pass from
an area of felled forest into the main forest again.
After approx 50m turn left onto a grassy firebreak
heading downhill. This firebreak meets the Tower walk
path. Turn left onto this path and follow the path
over the small hill past the old fire lookout and drop
down the zig zags onto the track. Cross over the track
and follow the path turning right (downhill) at the
wall. Follow the path beside the wall for approx 300m
then turn left across the wall at a section that is
broken down and follow a marked route through the trees
to the lower logging track (steep natural section – TAKE
CARE). Turn right onto the track. After a short descent
either turn left down another steep natural trail or
the easy option is to continue down the logging road.
At the track turn right back down the track. Bear right
onto the Blue Velvet trail and just before the wooden
railings turn right and join the walkers’ path
over the hill. Descends down the other side to the
run track, then turn right then immediately left down
fire break. At the bottom of the firebreak turn left.
After about 100m turn right onto a small path (natural
trail) through the trees. This joins a walkers’ path – turn
right. Follow this path round the back of the skills
area – note steep downhill section where it joins
main track. Turn left onto main track with gradual
rise towards transition.
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