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![]() FAQs / Info in Alphabetical Order There are 2500 beds in and near
Halls Gap. Some of the most convenient are
right on the startline at: For a caravan park with extras like
'Luxe cabins, Swimming Pool, trampolines, playground
facilities etc. then: To
enter the 20km or 36km or 65km 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. Anyone can enter the 2k(kids) race, but please don't win it if you're over 13. Winners of the kids race will be 13 or younger. Upper age limit is 99. Because if you're too old for Lego, then you're too old for this. Saturday 8km run.
Drink Stations at Fyans
Creek Track just in from Tandara Road, Brambuk,
Tandara Road, and
the finish line. Sunday 65km run. 65km & 36km runners if you wish
to have special needs delivered to the Mt
Difficult Rd, Mt Rosea Car Park and/or Borough Huts
aid stations you can create a "drop bag" clearly
marked with your name and race number. This must be
done on Friday or Saturday during opening hours at
Centenary Hall. (See R for Race Number Pickup.) Gels (for 65k, 36k and 20k
runners). This is a Trail Run, primarily through National Parks. Cups will NOT be used or provided for the long runs on the Sunday. It will be necessary for those runners to have some hydration device/bottle/camelbak/fuelbelt to carry water with them. 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/
Bag Minding
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 pre-mark your items with your
race-number and leave them in the bag minding area
in Centenary Hall near the Start/Finish line in
Halls Gap. 65km entrants
wishing to leave items at the Troopers Creek start
line are advised to mark their items and leave
them with the vehicle Race Director Rohan arrives
in. (Probably a Thrifty Box Truck). Items will be
transported back to Halls Gap Centenary Hall for
collection by you later in the day. Buses for 65km entrants.
Car Parking
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. Entrants
already in a longer distance event can change to
a shorter distance event for no
charge. The only exception being that after
August 1st, 36km runners changing to the 20km need
to pay an $11- decrease distance fee to cover a
new race-bib and timing chip, as the files will
have gone to the printer. This can be done by
using the Merchandise/Extras
Facility and paying the Distance Decrease
option. 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
20km or 36km event wanting to
change to the 65km event can do so by
emailing us of their intentions and paying an
$85- or $95- 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 (Kids/2km or 8km)
wanting to change to a Sunday event (20km, 36km
or ~65km) 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. Course
Measurement
Course is measured and certified
to PDA standards.
COVID
Crisis Cancellation Policy
If a cancellation has to occur due to Covid-19 restrictions, entrants will be offered a credit of the full value of their entry to a future Big Long Run event of their choice. (Wonderland or Two Bays) Should this be unsuitable you can request a refund of your entry fee minus 6% processing fees incurred in accepting, then refunding your money through the registration / credit card processing facilities. Entrants who can't attend due to a border closure, having to isolate, or other Covid related reasons are also covered by this policy. Kids/2km & 8km Saturday
Run: Yes, but please put them in the bins
provided. 65,
36 & 20km 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.) Cut-Off Times 20km course - four hours and thirty minutes. 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 within 4hrs 30mins of race start time will be withdrawn from the run.65km course - 12hrs
overall. Sundial Carpark - Runners arriving after 7hrs (mandatory 'health check' = Stop. Chat with Cut-off Boss. Describe your race to that point. Describe what you know about the terrain ahead. Any niggles or concerns? Confirm that you know the 10hr cut-off at Borough Huts is not negotiable.) 7hrs30min - hard cut. Borough Huts - Hard-Cut at 10 hrs. Realistically you're unlikely to complete within 12hrs if you are coming up to the 10hr mark at Borough Huts, but you're on the safer terrain of the valley floor, hence completion can still be an option, even if coming in under overall cut-off is not. Arriving by 9hrs 30mins most likely needed to finish within 12hrs. Note: Some people feel better being told their day is done. If that is you, you will get a high five or a hug (subject to Covid regs), and an offer of a lift back to grab a beer in Halls Gap. 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. Slipping/Falls. Probably the number
one cause of possible injury on the Wonderland Run
course. Go super cautious on the rock
sections. Taking a bad tumble does not make
for a fast time. The first half of the 20km course
and the first 15km of the 36km course are areas of
particular concern. The first 9km of the 65k
course are remote and rocky.
Getting lost. The course will be
well marked, but fatigued runners tend to
develop tunnel vision. Keep your wits about you
and keep an eye out for orange
markings/ribbons/cones. Bring a mobile phone on the
Telstra network. Face facts that some
providers (like Vodaphone) absolutely suck
outside major metro areas. The map on the back of your race-bib will have mobile phone numbers for the organizers and volunteers. We may be able to help orientate you. "The Trails" page of
this website has links to downloadable route
files. PLEASE USE THE FILES PROVIDED. There are
versions suitable for upload to most apps,
watches etc. They can save you a lot of
confusion, aggravation, cold, loneliness and
potentially a hospital visit or your life.
Obviously you could be quite some
distance from the nearest marker, however if you
call race organizers and can tell us how many
kilometers into the run you are, we will have
access to maps that help identify the number of
the nearest ESTA marker.
Entrants Lists
Will my buddies/rivals/enemies be there? ~65km/36km/20km Entrants List Here. (2022 Event) 8km/2km Entrants List Here. (2022 Event) (Those are also useful links if you can't recall whether you entered.) There is no magic. This is a remote location. Much of it some distance from roads or fire trails.
EMS, Endurance Medical Services
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. Everyone should help a runner in
serious trouble.
Gear Suggestions: Read the mandatory gear list for the ~65km & 36km run. Much of it is relevant for the 20km run, particularly for run-walkers. Handheld bottles not recommended due to the amount of times you might want to use your hands on the 20km, 36km & ~65km courses, for the same reason... Gloves are recommended for the 20km, 36km & ~65km courses. Shoes - If your trail shoes have tread that looks like footy boots don't use them. Too little contact on the rocky surfaces that get pretty slippy in rain. So far we're thinking less chunky trail treads or fresh road shoes are the go. (Fresh because then the tread edges are still 'sharpish'.). Gear - Mandatory List for 20km run: Mobile phone. (Telstra has best coverage, though bad customer service.) Compression bandage. Capacity to carry 500mls water. Not mandatory, but strongly suggested you look at the gear for the 65/36k and consider using it, particularly if forecast weather looks bad. Gear - Mandatory List for 65km & 36km run: Head Torches for 65km runners. You start in the dark. Some may finish in the dark. You must start with a head torch. You don't have to carry it all the way. Unless you're a faint chance of needing it later, then you need to carry it all day. We are not suggesting this equipment will be something you will need whilst running (although the gloves and THIR may be useful whilst running), but if you fall and cannot run or walk out, you may be waiting hours to be rescued. These items will keep you warmer, drier, less hungry and could also potentially save a trail buddy's life. • Gloves – Merino wool or synthetic – something that will keep your hands warm. • Beanie / THIR / Buff • Emergency blanket - lightweight silver type is fine. • Long sleeve thermal top NOT compression wear. Merino or synthetic is fine. • Compression bandage min 7.5cm wide x 2.3m long unstretched • Waterproof jacket. I.E. jacket must be waterproof, windproof and to a level that will actually keep you dry and safe. We don’t care how much it costs BUT it must be rated as such to help save your life if something terrible happens. Suggested is a level of over 20,000mm hydrostatic head waterproof rating. Accepted will be anything from 11000 upwards but be aware if the weather turns bad this will only keep you dry for a limited period of time! Anything under 11000 is unacceptable. 6000-11000mm is only rainproof and waterproof under light pressure. If it rains in them mountains it won’t be light! (Think about being stuck for several hours before you can be gotten out.) • 400 calories of food • Mobile Phone. Telstra works best • Capacity to carry 500mls water minimum **2022 UPDATE. Must be full at start of race. Part of the Covid Plan to have runners more self-sufficient. • Whistle for gaining attention to your situation. Anyone who crosses the finish line without the mandatory gear will be disqualified from the race and will not have a time recorded. Anyone who podiums will forfeit their place and time also. This is not us being big meanies – we just want everyone to be safe and get home to their loved ones! Where do you need to carry the gear? Assume that you're going to need to carry it the whole way. (Yes, you're allowed to eat your food along the way, but you must start with it.) There have been years when we've said some items aren't mandatory due to benign weather conditions. There have been years when we've trucked items to the Rosea car park for potential use later in the race. Rulings will be made closer to the event. 65km runners should assume there'll be a gear check at Saturday race briefing or Sunday race morning. Insurance.
Big Long
Run is covered for Public Liability
Insurance though Athletics Victoria and is
affiliated with AthsVic.
What that means for runners with AthsVic memberships, or those in affiliated recreational running groups who've paid their dues, is that you have access to personal accident insurance. We strongly encourage runners to get AthsVic recreational runner memberships. Otherwise you're just relying on Medicare, and/or your own health insurance which could leave you further out of pocket. Phone Coverage
This is a real issue. Some
carriers have very limited coverage. Telstra
is generally best even if their 'service' is
terrible.
Remember, you can often text where it's not possible to sustain a phone call. Put Halls Gap into these phone coverage interactive maps to get an idea of coverage on the course. https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/our-coverage The model indicates pretty much no coverage on the Wonderland Range and no coverage on Mount Rosea. My experience using Telstra is that there's patchy coverage on the Wonderland Range and next to none on Mount Rosea. Poles - Hiking Poles
1. If you'd like to talk about their viability please start another thread in the facebook group... or bump one of the old ones. 2. Poles aren't against the rules. 3. But we'd prefer you didn't for the safety of others. (Trip hazard for others trying to overtake on narrow sections. Eye poke hazard to people behind when on stairs, climbing sections - please stow them safely.) 4. They're useless when you're climbing rocky bits. There are times when you really need your hands. Prizes for 2022 Kids 2km Prizes prizes TBA 8km Prizes prizes TBA 20km Prizes $50- IoMerino Vouchers to 1,2,3 other prizes TBA 36km Prizes $50- IoMerino Vouchers to 1,2,3 other prizes TBA 65km Prizes $50- IoMerino Vouchers to 1,2,3 other prizes TBA 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 2022 **Special
Note for 2021/2022 Qualifiers**
20km Qualification
Standards: Due to the cancellation of some events that would normally be used as qualifiers, this year the use of data links to personal runs will be accepted. I.E. LINKS to Suunto/Garmin/Strava data that could otherwise qualify under the green zone provisions. Not obscure runs on unknown terrain that make it difficult for the Judge to compare to other runners. Qualification Standards have been introduced firstly for safety. (It's a long run, in difficult rocky terrain and access has difficulties at some points.) Secondly to not overly test the endurance of our lovely volunteers. Thirdly permits only last for so many hours. Fourthly traffic management on the road crossings, First Aid and Ambulance Victoria cost heaps. (Data submitted is also used for wave-sorting, so if you want an earlier wave, and have a couple of potential qualifiers, use the qualifier that best showcases your abilities.)
36km Qualification Standards: (Data submitted is also used for wave-sorting, so if you want an earlier wave, and have a couple of potential qualifiers, use the qualifier that best showcases your abilities.)
-65km Qualification Standards: (Data submitted is also used for wave-sorting, so if you want an earlier wave, and have a couple of potential qualifiers, use the qualifier that best showcases your abilities.)
For those who don't have a current qualifying time you can still enter if you think you can run a qualifier before Aug 20th 2022. The online entry procedure will give scope to write a short note re your ability and plan to run a qualifier. Please email ![]() Qualification enquiries not answered by the above... email: ![]() If you want to do some reconnaissance in the area then Run The Gap. in May 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 2:30. Not 2:38-but-I-had-to-stop-twice-to-go-to-the-toilet-so-really-this-is-a-sub-2:30. 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.
Refund Policy If
you'd like to withdraw prior to the run please
email
![]() The refund policy in the 20km, 36km and 65km waiver for 2022 is quoted below .... "IIn the event of withdrawal by an
entrant, entry fees will be refunded less an
administrative fee of $12 if the withdrawal
notification is received and acknowledged by the
organisers by July 22nd 2022. Less a
$17.50 administrative fee if received by July
29th. Less a $22.50 administrative fee if
received by Aug 5th. Less a $30- fee if
received by August 12th. Less a $40.00- fee if
received by August 19th. Less a $65- fee if
received by August 25th. No refund will be given
after August 25th. If you think this is
unreasonable, you should check out the IronMan
refund policies...
Merchandise ordered in on your behalf, but not yet sent can be refunded minus 22% fee to cover credit card charges, handling etc. so long as the request is received by August 20th 2022." The policy in the Kids / 2km & 8km waiver is... "In the event of withdrawal by an 8km entrant, entry fees will be refunded less an administrative fee of $12 if the withdrawal notification is received and acknowledged by the organisers by July 23rd 2022. Less a $15 administrative fee if received by Aug 5th 2022. Less a $20 administrative fee if received by August 20th. Less a $30- administrative fee if received by August 25th. 2km entrants can receive a 50% refund up until 3pm August 26th 2022. Merchandise ordered in on your behalf, but not yet received can be refunded minus 22% fee to cover credit card charges, handling etc. so long as the request is received by 5pm August 20th 2022." 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.
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. Friday
4:30pm to 6:30pm Race Number packets available to be picked up at Centenary Hall near the Start/Finish area. Saturday 11:00 to 12:00 Noon. Volunteer Briefing. Only Vols in Centenary Hall. 12:00 Noon to 2pm Race Number packets available to be picked up at Centenary Hall near the Start/Finish area. (Prior to Saturday 2km and 8km runs.) 1pm Kids / 2km Venus Baths Run 2pm 8km Fyan's Flat Run 2:30pm to 4:15pm Race Number packets pickup open. Centenary Hall near the Start/Finish area. 4:15pm Arrive for briefing for ~65km run. Questions taken. 4:30 pm Strongly Recommended Briefing for ~65km run starts. Briefing finishes before 5:30pm. Gear checks available. Last chance to leave special needs drop bags. Sunday 4:30am to 7am Race Number packets available to be picked up at Centenary Hall near the Start/Finish area. 5:00am Buses leave Centenary Hall for the 65km start line 6:00am ~65km Start at Roses Gap 7am 20km run commences. (Wave Started) 8am 36km run commences. (Wave Started) (Subject to Covid Planning around event time.) 20km Run. No. 36km Run. Items can be
available at Rosea CarPark (just past 9km in) and
Borough Huts Aid station. (21km) 65km Run. You will need to give us your
items on Friday 4pm
to 6pm or Saturday noon to 2pm and 2:30pm to
4:15pm 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 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. 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, and by not
covering it with your jacket. (Think of using a
race number belt such as those popular at
IronMan events.)
Transfers of Entries.
Transfers
To The
Next Year Fineprint:
You need
to have asked for
a transfer to 2023
by Sun 21 August.
(That means asking
for a transfer to
2023, not just
enquiring or
'wondering' if
it's possible.) Long
term is to use more of the Grampians Peaks
Trail as sections open up and connect
to the Wonderland area.
VolunteersIf you're available,
we'd love to have you. Volunteers receive
a warm inner glow, a merchandise voucher and
can enter a subsequent Wonderland Run or Two
Bays Trail Run without paying entry fees.
(Please ask for the super secret entry code
prior to entering that
subsequent event.)
Seriously it's volunteers who make running events possible, and most have an enjoyable day doing it. Please give it your consideration. To check what roles are available please email.... ![]() Wave Starts Due to the narrow and technical nature of some of the early sections of the course wave starts are utilised in the 20km and 36km events. (And now also due to Covid social distancing measures.) If you have ever been on a podium, or stand even a small chance of being on it, then please email about being in the first wave. While everyone will get an accurate time, winning positions are decided by which bodies got over the line first. 1 minute gaps between waves for 2022. Waves of 50. Allocated per what you put in the reg facility as a qualifier. If you didn't put in much info, then expect a later wave. **Could be changed depending on Covid19 situation** Link to wave start times will be put here once waves are sorted. 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 mountains on
course. 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. ![]()
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