Tallaganda 30x30: Run for the Forests

Purpose

Just over an hour from Canberra, Tallaganda National Park and Tallaganda State Forest provide vital habitat for endangered Greater Gliders. Approximately one-third of the Tallaganda landscape is protected with national park status, but the state forest has been heavily logged in recent years, threatening the survival of this species.

As a team of 30, we'll run 30 km through this forest to advocate for its protection as part of Australia's commitment to 30x30—the global target to protect 30% of Earth's land and waters by 2030. We’ll use the run to fundraise for the campaign by National Parks Association of NSW and Wilderness Australia to convert Tallaganda State Forest into a protected national park. A team fundraising page will be available to share in early May.

This event is hosted by National Parks Association of NSW. We'd like to thank our sponsor, Paddy Pallin, whose generous support means that 100% of our fundraising efforts will go toward the national park campaign.

A $30 resistration fee is required to secure your spot on the running team, which we'll later donate to the team fundraising page (minus Eventbrite and GoFundMe fees).

Directions

The start/finish area for the run is on Sawpit Gully Firetrail, about 800 m from the intersection of Harolds Cross Rd and Sawpit Gully Firetrail. The last 10 km of the drive from Canberra is on dirt roads. The roads are generally suitable for 2WD vehicles but the last few km can be eroded after heavy rain. Please drive to conditions, consider carpooling, and don't bring your low-slung sports car.

Google maps pin

Directions from Canberra via Captains Flat

Schedule

The planned schedule for the day (subject to minor changes) is as follows:

• 07:30 - Check in opens
• 08:05 - Welcome, pre-run briefing, team photos
• 08:25 - Last-minute wardrobe changes and toilet visits
• 08:30 - Run start
• 12:30 - BBQ lunch start (staggered for fast and slow runners)
• 14:00 - Run cut-off time, presentations (presentations will be earlier if we're back early)
• 18:30 - Post-run celebration dinner at The Dock on Kingston Foreshore in Canberra (dinner and drinks at own expense).

Course

Download GPX file

The challenging 30 km course winds through pristine forest and sections that were logged approximately six years ago. Be prepared for it to be beautiful, cold, hilly, muddy, and leechy! The course is predominately firetrail, with a short section of technical single track and approximately 900 m of elevation gain/loss.

There will be a BBQ lunch ready for you at the finish line and wonderful people to chat to around the firepit. You can run the course at your own pace but this is not a timed race. To ensure we can all get back to Canberra at a reasonable time, the run will have a cut-off time of ~5 hours and 30 mins.

We'll share a detailed information pack for the run in early May.

Mandatory gear

For safety, all runners are required to carry the following mandatory gear:

• Waterproof and breathable jacket (e.g., Gortex) with waterproof seams and hood
• Long sleeve thermal top (e.g., polypropylene, merino)
• Gloves
• Beanie or buff
• Mobile phone with fully charged battery
• Compression bandage (minimum dimensions 7.5 cm wide x 2.3 m long (unstretched)
• Whistle
• Emergency bivvy (recommended) or emergency blanket
• Water bottles or bladders with minimum 2 litre total capacity
• Food (e.g., muesli bars, bread roll, gels, whatever works for you on long runs)
• Print-out of course map and event contact numbers in zip-lock bag (will be provided at check-in)