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.