To enter the 20km or 36km runs on the Sunday you must be 18+

There is no age restriction on the 2km or 8km runs on the Saturday.  But remember that it's not a child-minding facility.  If your child needs supervision then please enter and supervise them.

Upper age limit is 99. Because if you're too old for Lego, then you're too old for this.

The Ambulance service is not a free service in Victoria. It's your responsibility to check your health cover and ensure you are covered for ambulance rides in the case of an emergency. To arrange cover with Ambulance Victoria, visit http://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/

For bags you want to leave while you are running, (as opposed to Special Needs/Drinks which there's a listing for lower down), please premark your items with your racenumber and leave them in the bag minding area in Centenary Hall near the Start/Finish line in Halls Gap.

Halls Gap is a small country town.  No charge for parking.  How close can you park?  Crystal ball says that the earlier you arrive, the closer you park.

Changing between Event/Distances

Entrants already in a longer distance event can change to a shorter distance event for no charge.  The only exception being that after July 16th 36km runners changing to the 20km need to pay a $10- decrease distance fee to cover a new race-bib and timing chip.  Email infoATwonderlandrunDOTcomDOTau and we'll make the necessary changes.

Entrants already entered in the 20km event wanting to change to the 36km event can do so by emailing us of their intentions and paying the $22- increase distance fee online. Use the "Extras/Merch" Button at the top of the page to pay the change fee.

Entrants already entered in the 2km event wanting to change to the 8km event can do so by emailing us of their intentions and paying the $22- increase distance fee online.
Use the "Extras/Merch" Button at the top of the page to pay the change fee.

Entrants already entered in a Saturday event (2km or 8km) wanting to change to a Sunday event (20km or 36km) are advised the easiest way to achieve it is to withdraw from the Saturday event (see R for Refunds) and enter the Sunday event of their choosing. The requested details between the two registration facilities are not the same, hence no smooth method in this situation.

Remember the qualification requirements for the runs are different and you may need to edit your original registration to provide details for a relevant event you ran in. Follow the 'EditYourReg' link near the top of your original registration email to edit your data.

Cups

2km & 8km Saturday Run: Yes, but please put them in the bins provided.

20km and 36km Sunday Events:  None. Zip. Nil. Nada. These are trail runs, not road races; mostly through beautiful National and State Parks. Aid stations will have water, sports drink etc. in 25 litre plastic cubes/drums with taps on the bottom. You can refill your bottles, camelbak, fuelbelt or whatever you brought to carry fluids at these points. (Water carrying device is mandatory equipment.)

So you ran in Wonderland? So you think you are a legend? You think you can match it on the mic? PROVE IT!!! Wonderland's curry night is back again in 2017 with Karaoke as an additional feature – Curry-oke! Tickets cover food in a buffet manner – there is no guarantee of singing quality and no compensation for scorched taste buds!!! Curry-Oke Registrations.

Two Seatings. 5pm-7pm and 7pm-11pm
Spirit of Punjab. 161-163 Grampians Rd. Halls Gap. Sunday Night. August 27th.
Curry-Oke registrations will open soon.

Cut-Off Times

20km course - four hours.
36km course - 8 hours. (Allows for exceptionally bad weather. Under normal conditions qualified 36km competitors will likely finish under 7hrs.)  Please bear in mind the degree to which these courses climb and that parts of the course are very technical.

36km runners who haven't made the split point (where the 20 and 36km runs split off in different directions about 7.5km into the run) by 2hrs into the event will be directed down the 20km course.

36km runners who have not left Borough Huts aid station by 11:30am will be withdrawn from the run.  They will be asked to phone for a lift back to Halls Gap. (Or if lucky might be able to score one off a volunteer on the aid station, once packup is done.)

Cutoff times are enforced due to permits only lasting so long, and to look after our lovely volunteers who are putting in a lot of hours to help runners.  We don't want to try their patience. (OK we'll also admit that the traffic management on the road crossings costs a bomb and having entrants on course after the cutoffs gets really spendy too.)

Overall time cutoffs mean that entrants finishing after those times will receive a medal, but will not have their time recorded in the official results.

Dangers
Evacuation from Course

Evacuation of injured runners.
There is no magic.  This is a remote location.  Much of it some distance from roads or fire trails.

Suspected broken ankle. The most common injury where entrants request assistance in leaving the course is the suspected broken ankle. (90% of the time it is badly 'rolled'/sprained and is ligament/tendon damage with no fracture.) Once over the initial shock, the best option (in the remote areas) is to start hobbling out assisted, heading towards the most accessible exit point. Generally downhill if you have a choice.

ParksVic have also advised that we'll have access to the "TrailRider" shown at left. In situations closer to fire trails then Parks Victoria are able to assist with getting you out, but you may be waiting a while. Be aware that whatever method is used, it will take a long time.  Hence the mandatory Gear list below.

First Aid Providers

Colbrow  First Aid service is being used.

We also pay for an ambulance on stand-by but the Govt/Union bureaucracy that it is means that despite paying a four figure sum our only means of communication with them is very indirectly through 000.  You'll see them floating around the course on race day.

Crosses on some peoples race numbers mean they have level 2 or higher First Aid Qualifications.  If you are in a bad way appeal to them, if you have a widdle gwaze then leave them alone.  They are racing too.

Phone Coverage



Prizes for 2017

Still confirming, but at a minimum...
2km Prizes
  Salomon
8km Prizes
Salomon
20km Prizes
All Podium M&F to receive Salomon packs.
20km Prizes
All Podium M&F to receive Salomon packs.

Please see S for Schedule, lower down for presentation times.  Because the incentive to be at presentations on time is that your prizes will be reallocated to others if you aren't there.

Qualification Standards for 2017

20km Qualification Standards: 

Guaranteed Qualification Methods. If you need immediate certainty do one of these. (a) 2017 Two Bays or 2016 Wonderland 28/20km finisher under 4hrs - Most recent will be used. (b) Half Marathon under 2h15m in 12 months prior to Aug 21st 2017.*** (c) 2017 RCR21.5 under 4hrs (d) Half Ironman with run time under 2h45m in 12 months prior to Aug 21st 2017.

Grey Zone Judgement Call Methods. If you can wait patiently for an answer, and have something better than Green Zone, but not covered in the green zone descriptions. (a) Trail Race of 14km or over in 12 months prior to Aug 21st 2017 - Submit time for consideration. (Decision will depend on course and time attained.) (b) Something else that demonstrates better ability than Green Zone. eg. Triathlon, Adventure Race etc.**See special note about Trailwalker lower down.

 

36km Qualification Standards:

Guaranteed Qualification Methods. If you need immediate certainty do one of these. (a) 2017 Two Bays or 2016  Wonderland long course finisher under cutoff time - Most recent will be used. (b) Marathon under 4hrs30mins in 12 months prior to Aug 21st 2017.*** (c) 2017 RCR43 under 7hrs (d) Full Ironman with run time under 5h00m in 12 months prior to Aug 21st 2017.

Grey Zone Judgement Call Methods. If you can wait patiently for an answer, and have something better than Green Zone, but not covered in the green zone descriptions. (a) Trail Race over 30km in 12 months prior to Aug 21st 2017 - Submit time for consideration. (b) Something else that demonstrates better ability than Green Zone. eg. Triathlon, Adventure Race etc. **See special note about Trailwalker below.

For those who don't have a current qualifying time you can still enter if you think you can run a qualifier before August 21st 2017.  The online entry procedure will give scope to write a short note re your ability and plan to run a qualifier.

Please later edit your registration (via the link near the top of your Registration Details email you received) once you have run a qualifier stating where, when and what time you ran.  (With link to official results.) People who have paid entry will have until  August 21st to qualify and notify us of that qualification time/event and link. 

Qualification enquiries not answered by the above... email: judgenjury76(AT)gmail(DOT)com. Yes, you do need to interpret that.

If you're looking for events to qualify at:
http://www.eventlist.com.au/  . Don't just consider the biggies... Google is your friend.

For Melbourne runners one of the cheapest places to qualify is...
July Sri Chinmoy Princes Park Marathon, 30km, Half M.

If you want to do some reconnaissance in the area then Run The Gap. 21 May 2017 is a good option for qualifying for the Wonderland 20.

**Special Note About Trailwalker: (And other BushwalkingWithRaceNumbers events.) Trailwalker events can be used as qualifiers, but your Trailwalker time needs to demonstrate that you can cover ground at a speed sufficient to complete Wonderland Run within the cutoff times.
***Special Note about Half Marathon qualifying times.  It is sub 2:15. Not 2:25-but-I-had-to-stop-twice-to-go-to-the-toilet-so-really-this-is-a-sub-2:15.  If your toileting needs are such that you have to go that frequently then you are going to have go more times during Wonderland Run and not less.

Race Number Pickup & Registrations Yellow Bibs for the Saturday Venus Baths 2km Run. Pink Bibs for the Saturday 8km Fyan's Flat Funrun Purple Bibs for the Sunday 20km Sundiallers. Green Bibs for the Sunday 36km Rosea Radness Runners. Map is on the back of 20km and 36km race numbers. 20km and 36km runners have tear-off sections.  20km runners leave their tear-off at Bellfield Dam aid station. 36km runners leave their tear-off at Borough Huts aid station. ------------------------ Lost Bibs/Chips If you lose your bib/chip combo after picking it up, or forget to bring it on race morning. No big problem. We can issue another bib/chip combo, but the re-issue costs $10-.

Registrations & Race Number Pickup times: Friday 4pm to 6pm Centenary Hall (115 Grampians Rd.) near the Start/Finish area. Saturday 11:30am to 2pm  Centenary Hall near the Start/Finish area. (Prior to Saturday 8km run) Then 2:30pm to 5pm after the 8km run. Sunday 6am to 7am  Centenary Hall near the Start/Finish area.

Refund Policy

The refund policy in the 20km and 36km waiver for 2017 is quoted below ....

Road Crossings

There are several road crossings. All on the Grampians Tourist Road.

Speed limit reduction and warning signs will be employed, but be aware you may be delayed a minute.  Beware of cars.  Traffic Controllers will endeavour to assist you crossing, but you should stay alert.

Rules

1. Obey all Parks Victoria rules when in the Parks.
2. The event will not proceed if there is a code red fire warning for the day. It is illegal to enter the park on a Code Red fire warning day.
3. Leaving the Course. Entrants who leave the course during the event eg. for toilet stop, getting lost or meeting up with support people; must re-enter the course at the point they left the course. Lost entrants may use any legal method to get back to the course, but must re-enter where they left and resume running from that point.
4. Withdrawing from the race. Any entrant withdrawing from the race must notify race officials that they have done so. Mobile phone numbers will be provided on the map given to participants, or use the numbers in the "Contact Us" section of the website.
5. Support Crew. Runners can have supporters meet them on course with food, drink, vaseline etc., so long as those supporters give way to runners, and obey all park rules.
   
6. Using a mountain bike to support runners risks them and other people. Don't even think about it.
7. Obey the direction of Race Officials and Volunteers. Entrants ignoring marshals at road crossings will be immediately disqualified.
8. Be courteous to all you encounter on the course. This includes volunteers, traffic controllers and other users of the trail.
9. Entrants must help fellow runners in distress.
10. Entrants must race with a means of carrying at least 500ml of fluids. (Camelbak, fuelbelt, handheld bottle etc.)
11. Entrants must not leave rubbish on the course. Carry it with you to the next aid station and deposit it there if there is a bin. Otherwise; carry it in - carry it out.
12. No I-pods, MP3 players etc. to be used. There are too many single track sections, some road crossings and other runners to be aware of. 
13. If you are even mildly asthmatic then a puffer is mandatory equipment.

Rubbish

We are fortunate to be allowed access to the trail to run our event, so please make sure you leave no trace of having been there. Take all rubbish with you or risk disqualification.

Schedule for  Wonderland Run


Special Drinks/Needs Items delivery.

20km Run. NO.

36km Run. Items can be available at Rosea CarPark (just past 9km in) and Borough Huts Aid station. (21km)

You will need to give us your items on Friday 4pm to 6pm or Saturday 11:30am to 2pm and 2:30pm to 5pm at Centenary Hall near the Start/Finish area.  We won't be accepting them on Sunday morning.

We supply the tags. You supply the bags. but pre-marking your items will save you and us some time on the morning of the event.

Sweepers

Sweepers will be deployed onto the course with the aim of ensuring there's no one left on the course unaccounted for. If you leave the trail at any time, please leave your pack on the trail so the sweeper doesn't go past you.

Timing Chips

We will be using a disposable chip system that is stuck to the back of your race number.  The system is very reliable, but reliability is aided by wearing your race number lower rather than higher.

Trail Marking Will comply with Parks Victoria requests. Markers on the bush trails will be in orange ribbon. Additional signage will be present at key intersections. Km markers to help you know where you are on the course. Some of the stuff you'll be seeing to help you get around the course.  Plus lots of orange ribbons on pegs to give you reassurance that you're on the right track.

Transfers of Entries.

No. We don't do it.  It's a big administrative hassle getting hold of the new entrants full details, emergency contacts, medical information... which may have details they don't want the original entrant to know, getting them to click the waiver, insurance etc. etc.  Given that we refund the highest  percentage of entry fees to the latest date of any major running event then please withdraw your entry and ask your friend to enter themselves.
Sorry, we also don't transfer your entry to Two Bays, or the next Wonderland. (See R for Refunds... you next best bet.)

Vision

Long term is to use more of the Grampians Peaks Trail as sections open up and connect to the Wonderland area.

Volunteers


Wave Starts

Due to the narrow and technical nature of some of the early sections of the course wave starts are possible in the 2km, 20km and 36km events.
If you have ever been on a podium, or stand even a small chance of being on it, then please allocate yourself to the first wave.
While everyone will get an accurate time, winning positions are decided by which bodies got over the line first.
3 minute gaps between waves for 2016. (bigger gaps than were used in 2015).

Weather - What will it be?

We have no more access to any weather forecasting data than the BOM. Look for Ararat and Stawell to get an idea of the weather, then figure it's going to be worse up on the top of the course.

Withdrawing

If you wish to withdraw at any stage, you need to do so at an aid station and notify the attendants of your intention to withdraw. We will then do what we can to get you away from the aid station as soon as we can, but given the length of the event calling friends or a cab might be the fastest option.

For withdrawals prior to the run please email infoATwonderlandrunDOTcomDOTau and also refer to R for "Refunds" above.