Frequently Asked Questions

MANDATORY GEAR 27KM, 55KM & 80KM

Please read through the FAQ below and ensure you always have ALL of the following on your person. We will be carrying out bag checks to ensure you have the items listed and you will not be allowed on the mountain without these.  

WHY DO WE NEED TO CARRY MANDATORY GEAR? 

The alpine area is very changeable and unpredictable with weather. It could have rain, snow, fog or howling winds appearing without warning. A lot of the course is above 2000m, and along the main range track it is very exposed, as you are travelling along a ridgeline. It is also quite isolated, and if you need medical help, it may take some time to have medical help get to you (or to get you to medical help). 

When you consider wind chill factor (google wind chill factor, it’s very eye-opening!!), and how your body temperature reacts to both getting wet from cold rain, or from being depleted of energy, then you will start to realise just how cold you can get out there. Although not mandatory, it is also recommended that you add sunscreen to your list of items in your pack. Of course, in a perfect world, you won’t need any of your mandatory gear (outside of nutrition and hydration), but it is in emergency situations that the gear will come into its own.

* Dependent on weather ruling from race organisers made on the day before the specific race

WEATHER DEPENDENT EXTRAS:

• Waterproof overpants
• Gloves

A call will be made on these items in the afternoon prior to the race, depending on the forecast. The route goes along some very exposed areas, and weather that might seem benign further down south can be very wild up here.

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED:

Sunscreen and hat (there is zero shelter from the sun on the whole course, and it is very easy to get burnt in the rarefied air)

• Chafe cream / blister bandages
• More substantial first aid kit
• Spare socks
• Spare headlight batteries

We recommend that you carry a fully charged mobile phone, in case of emergency. There are many areas of the course where signal is available. We recommend that you download the ‘EMERGENCY+’ app on your phone, which can provide exact coordinates of where you are for emergency services.

These items are all mandatory, and for your own safety. There will be bag checks to ensure that mandatory items are present. Time penalties will apply for each item that is not present.

• All participants are responsible for their own hydration, sun protection, and safety.
• The event will run rain or shine.
• Athletes will be notified of any course or event changes.
• There may be shortening of the route due to adverse weather conditions. This is something the National Parks and Wildlife consultant will make the ruling on. The Alpine region can be closed due to thick fog, snow, or high temperatures. If any changes need to be made on the event day, we will try to maintain as close to advertised distance as possible.

• The net gain of the 80km is 2138m.
• The net gain of the 55km is 1505m.
• The net gain of the 27km is 760m

The lowest altitude of the 80km is 1333m above sea level, and the highest is 2228m (Mt Kosciuszko)

• The 80km distance will have six (6) passes of the refill aid stations on the course, at Guthega Power Station (14.4km & 57km), Schlinks Hut (27.3km) and Guthega Base Camp (64.7km).
• The 55km distance will have four (4) refill aid stations on the course, at the Guthega Power Station (14.4km & 32.7km) and Guthega Base Camp (40.7km & 44.7km).
• The 27km distance will have two (2) refill aid stations on the course, at Guthega Base Camp (12.4km & 16.5km).

Our checkpoint team will be managing race day cut-offs. If you are unable to proceed, or if you have missed cut-off, we will arrange transport for you back to the event hub at The Stables Perisher.

• Yes you sure can, however any equipment you start with you must finish with.

The 80km is unpaved but well maintained single-trail or fire trail for about 91% of the course, with about 9% being paved, including the final 2km stretch into Charlottes Pass Village.

The 55km is unpaved but well maintained single-trail or fire trail for about 89% of the course, with 11% paved surface, including the final 2km stretch into Charlottes Pass Village.

The 27km is unpaved but well maintained single-trail or fire trail for about 84% of the course, with 16% paved surface, includin the final 2km stretch into Charlottes Pass Village.

Grated sections of the course are mandatory walking zones – any grates are a NO RUN ZONE.

We will have additional timing measures in place at any grated sections throughout the course, so it does not affect the overall placeholder time.

The grate surface is extra grippy to allow safe trails all year round. Please take care when walking as shoe lugs can get stuck in the grate, which can cause some pretty serious injury if you fall with speed on the grated sections. We understand this may be disappointing for some, but we want to ensure all competitors are safe and have an enjoyable experience on the mountain.

Included Merch 

What you get

INCLUDED MERCHANDISE

80km Trail Run

• AAA Hoodie
• AAA Buff
• AAA Hat
• AAA event tee

55km Trail Run

• AAA Buff
• AAA Hat
• AAA event tee

27km Trail Run

• AAA Buff
• AAA event tee

Merch Collection

TBC

• Optional early bib collection is open Friday 13 Feb, 3pm-6pm, at Jindabyne Bowling and Sports Club.
• Bib collection times for Saturday 14 Feb are detailed in the event schedule.
• If your bib goes missing, please visit the Bib Collection tent before your race. Pro tip: allow plenty of time.

• There is a great viewing point for any spectators at the Guthega Base Camp. Spectators may wish to ride or walk to this point from the Perisher Ski Tubes.
• No support crew is permitted for any of the distances in the Australian Alpine Ascent.

Medical will be available at the Finish Line and where possible, will be roaming around the course on foot, on bikes and in vehicles for emergencies.

Each runner will have responsibility for their own wellbeing and basic first aid and should carry their own band-aids, blister/strapping tape, chafe cream, and sunscreen. Ensure you are aware of the effects of dehydration, hypothermia and extreme fatigue. If you do not feel you are not fit to continue, please withdraw from the race at the next aid station.

If you pass an injured runner, please stop to assist them until an EE staff member or until someone from medical arrives, record how long you were stopped to assist and notify an EE staff member at the end of the event they will organise to adjust your time accordingly.

This is why we have 1-2 ziplock bags in the mandatory gear list, for your rubbish. Any equipment or nutrition (packets) that you start with, you must finish with. 

Please be VERY CAREFUL not to drop a gel packet or anything on the course – this may have consequences on whether the event goes ahead in future.

The 80km will have toilets available at the Guthega Power Station (14.4km & 57km), Whites River Hut (23.9km), Schlinks Hut (27.3km & 44.8km) and at the Guthega Base Camp (64.8km & 69.3km).

The 55km will have toilets available at the Guthega Power Station (14.4km & 32.8km), Whites River Hut (23.9km) and at the Guthega Base Camp (40.4km & 44.7km).

The 27km will have toilets available at the Guthega Base Camp (12.4km & 16.5km).

As this run is in National Park, the issue of human faeces is a tricky one. It is a pristine, delicate alpine environment and there simply cannot be any faeces left on course. We need to abide by the “leave no trace” principles http:/www.lnt.org.au/

If you are someone who may have troublesome bowels on a run like this, we suggest you buy a Go Anywhere Toilet Kit (Wag Bag) from an outdoor retailer, or online.  Each toilet waste kit is pre-loaded with waste treatment Poo Powder to gel and solidify liquid waste to a solid. Poo Powder encapsulates solid waste (once activated by a liquid), controls odour and contains a decay catalyst to break down solid waste.  After using the kit, carry it with you to the next checkpoint where there will be a waste bin for disposal.

We don’t want anyone having a “one sock run”!!!

Road restrictions will be in place from Perisher to the Charlotte Pass turning circle.

All trail running event competitors will park at Perisher Ski Tubes Station and walk to event hub at The Stables Perisher.

All trail running event competitors will park at Perisher Ski Tubes Station and walk to event hub at The Stables Perisher.

Entry Transfer Policy

• No name changes or bib transfers are permitted due to insurance reasons.

Refund and Transfer Policy

• For details: Refund & Transfer Policy

Deferral / Cancellation Rules

• Contact athlete services: office@eliteenergy.com.au

Official Results

Available after event at https://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/

Official Photography

Available after event at  https://www.finisherpix.com/en/

• Competitor categories: 18-24, 25-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ (Male & female; age as of race day)
• Age group podium prizes (1st, 2nd & 3rd)
• Presentation details to be confirmed in the confirmation email sent prior to the event.

 No Prams. No dogs allowed within the National Park

• We use reusable Bibsnaps at our events to reduce landfill. You can find out more and purchase a set here.
• We make an effort to minimise the impacts of our event on the local community. See ‘Road closures’ above for details about any restrictions on event day.