Paluma Village Trail Run
Paluma Village Trail Run
The sixth and final event in the Outer Limits Trail Run Series, the Paluma Village Trail Run is our favourite event in the series and we have kept the best for last. It features amazing trails, taking you through the World Heritage listed rainforest in the most southern part of the Wet Tropics. This time of the year, Paluma Village is a great escape from the heat in Townsville. Situated at over 900m, the Paluma Range is cooler than the coastal region and it makes for great trail running in October.
We acknowledge the Nywaigi people as the Traditional Owners of this land. We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders, past and present – and all future generations.
For more information on Paluma, please visit the National Parks website or the Paluma Info website.
When: Sunday, 27th October 2024
Sign in starts from 6.30am, all runners are required to sign in and collect their bib number at Event HQ. Pins will be provided (or you can bring a race number belt). Please ensure you arrive on time to sign in and get ready to run. If you miss your start time, you may not be allowed to race.
Entry Fees & Inclusions: Registration opens 1st December | General Entry starts: 1st September | Late Entry starts: 19th October
- 5km: Early Bird $35 | General Entry $40 | Late Entry $50
- 10km: Early Bird $45 | General Entry $50 | Late Entry $60
- 20km: Early Bird $50 | General Entry $55 | Late Entry $65
- Juniors (under 16yrs | short distance only): $18 General Entry | Late Entry $25
Minimum age to participate in our short distance events is 8 years and for the longer distances 12 years (age as of end of year).
Your Entry fee includes:
- Entry to the race
- Fully marked, marshalled course
- First Aid support on course and at Race HQ
- On course professional photography
- Professional electronic timing and results
- Race bib plate with electronic timing chip, which is yours to keep
- Earn series points for your overall series ranking
- On course hydration and snack support (no cups provided, please use your own bottle)
- Post race recovery station with hydration and fruit buffet
- Post race BBQ (first sausage free- more can be purchased and proceeds will go toward the Paluma & District Community Association)
- Food and coffee van services available
- Free massage post run, thanks to Fisiocrem (subject to availability)
- Amenities at Race HQ
- Exclusive deals with our sponsors
- The opportunity to win random prizes at the presentation after the race
- Great prize packs for top 3 male and female winners in each distance and cash prizes for top 3 Junior winners (under 12 & under 16)
Where: Race HQ, start and finish for all distances, is at the Village Green in Paluma (56 Mt Spec Road)
Getting there: Paluma is a 90 minute drive from Townsville. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of your event to sign in and receive your race number. There is always the possibility of an earlier start, so make sure you arrive prior to the scheduled starting time. Please be careful driving up the Paluma Range.
Parking: Please park in an orderly fashion around the village green or along the main road. Be considerate of Paluma residents and do not park in drive ways or other entry ways.
Course Overview: Paluma is part of the Wet Tropics area and so it is wet most of the year. The course is very technical with mossy rocks and slippery tree roots. You will encounter tricky creek crossings and trees over the track. You may also find a few leeches on the course, and maybe a snake or two (they’re pretty friendly). For more information on the area please visit the National Parks website.
If you are not comfortable in the bush it is suggested to run with a buddy. These trails are very remote and deep in the rain forest. We will do our best to have as many marshals on the course as possible and it will be well marked. It is always safer to run with someone, however it is not mandatory and in the short and intermediate courses there should be plenty of other runners around you.
CAUTION: Due to the technicality of the course it will take considerably longer than you would run the same distance on the road, so ensure you take adequate food and water to cover you for the duration you expect. The 10km and 20km are our toughest runs of the entire series due to the elevation gain of 400m (!!!) and it is also a technical course. Please ensure you have done adequate training and come prepared.
Water: The only water on the course is from natural running sources, so take appropriate purification means, drink the water at your own risk (Sam does) or carry sufficient for the entire course. A map of the course will be available for viewing at the start of each event.
Cut Off Times: The event director and event officials reserve the right to pull any competitor out of the race if they are concerned about their well being. Runners may be short coursed or directed straight to the finish, if they have not reached a certain check point by the cut off time.
- 20km Course Cut-off time: 10.45am -> if runners have not reached the H-Track by this time, they will be directed towards the finish line and do not continue along the 20km course.
6km course map & elevation
Download the 6km GPX file here
Route map for Paluma Trail Run 6km by Aline Herzog on plotaroute.com
10km course map & elevation
Download the 10km GPX file here
Route map for Paluma Trail Run 10km by Aline Herzog on plotaroute.com
20km course map & elevation
Download the 20km GPX file here
Route map for Paluma Trail Run 20km by Aline Herzog on plotaroute.com
ACCOMMODATION
Camping: If you wish to camp at the Paluma Dam you need to book via the Townsville City Council website.
Shared Accommodation: There is the option to book a bed at Gumburu Environmental Education Centre. This is bunk room, shared style accommodation with shared amenities. No cooking facilities available, however a fridge, microwave and kettle is available. The Centre will be utilised for the Paluma Ultra event and we may have spare beds available. Please enquire via email about availability and booking options.
Airbnb: There are a few Airbnb options in Paluma. Make sure to book ahead of time.
Download the Athlete Guide here.
Start Times:
- Long Course 20km – 7:30am start
- Intermediate Course 10km – 7:40am start
- Short Course 6km – 7:50am start
Mandatory Gear: Required for the 10km and 20km course. There is no mandatory gear for the 6km run. We have marshals on the course, a vehicle and first aid available.
Mandatory gear checks for 10km and 20km will be done at check in. You must be carrying these items in order to participate in the run.
- 2x compression bandage
- a fully charged phone (there is limited service along the course). Please download the Emergency+ app on your phone and familiarise yourself with it
- a whistle
- an emergency blanket
- sufficient hydration and nutrition
Categories & Awards: Juniors (under 12) and Juniors (under 16) | 16-29yrs | 30-39yrs | 40-49yrs | 50-59 yrs | 60+yrs
- Top 3 Male & Female for each distance are awarded at presentation
- Top 3 junior boys and girls (short distance only) are awarded at presentation
- 1st place in age group for each distance (excluding top 3 winners)
Presentation: Presentation will be held as soon as the Top 3 runners have finished. Prizes will be given to the top 3 runners on the day. Age group winners will be called up on the day to collect their prize.
Facilities: There are toilets located at the Race HQ
Sausage Sizzle: will be provided by the Paluma District Community Association at the end of the race, free for race participants.
Rules & Regulations: In order for the event to run as smoothly as possible we need all participants to cooperate and stick to our rules and regulations, please read through the points below:
- No rego, No run! – We do not offer registration on the day and most our events sell out in advance. Please check with us before coming to the event unregistered.
- Visible BIB number – Please make sure your bib number is clearly visible (front of shirt) when crossing the finish line, this ensures the correct detection of your timing chip by the electronic timing system. The bib can not be covered by clothes or bags, this might cause the timing chip to not be picked up by the antenna at the finish line.
- No shortcuts – please stick to the marked track, for safety and fairness reasons. All courses are clearly marked and we have marshals out on the course.
- Fitness level – please choose the right distance according to your fitness level! Many of our courses are a bit more technical and running on trail will take you approximately twice as long as running the same distance on road. Our trail run events are not designed to be walked, especially not the longer distances. If you have any questions in regards to choosing the right distance according to your ability, please feel free to contact us. The event officials reserve the right to short course or pull competitors out of the race if they are concerned for their well-being.
- Obey traffic regulations unless otherwise instructed by an event official
- Treat other competitors, officials, volunteers and spectators with respect and courtesy
- Dress Code – please wear appropriate clothing, including pants, shirts and suitable running shoes
Trail Run Etiquette:
- Be mindful that the trails are open for other users outside of the race, including runners and walkers
- Do not leave any rubbish behind. What you bring in you must take out
- Keep left and give way to runners passing from behind
- Don’t approach any wildlife you may come across on the trails
- We ask you to NOT wear headphones, so you can hear other trail users around and hear the trail marshals instructions
- Stop and give assistance to other runners if needed. If another competitor falls and injures themselves, it is not an opportunity to pass them. Give assistance and ensure they are ok. Time considerations will always be given to the ones who stop and assist injured runners.
Series Points System:
- You receive points for each run you complete. Your total score is the sum of all your attended (and finished) races.
- The winner of a race receives 100 points. Every other runner receives points based on their time compared to the winner’s. For example, Sarah wins the race in 35:00 and Sonja finished in 42:00. Sarah’s score is 100 because she won. Sonja’s score is 83.3. It is calculated by dividing the winner’s time (35 minutes) by her time (42 minutes) and then multiplying the results by 100 (35/42 x 100 = 83.3).
- Points are calculated separately for men and women.
- You are counted as a Series participant if you complete at least four of the six races in the Series in the same distance category (i.e. the short, middle or long distance).
- Your age group for the Series will be your age as at end of the year.
- Awards are presented to the overall top three male and female runners in each of the three distance categories, as well as the first male/female runners in the following age groups: Juniors (under 12 & under 16), 16-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+.
- The overall top three male and female runners are not eligible for age group awards.
Registration opens 1st December. Registration closes Saturday, 28th October at 6pm.
Please visit the Trail Run Series Registration page to register: REGISTER HERE
Please check your spam folder for confirmation email and other communication from us, if you have not received any emails after registering.
The Fine Print – Waiver Form – When registering online, you agree to the Terms & Conditions.
Change, Cancellation and Refund Policy
Participant no longer able to attend/participate
- Registered Participants who are no longer able to attend or participate in their registered event may:
- Request a refund as outlined and in accordance with clauses 2 and 3;
- Request a transfer of their registration to another event as outlined and in accordance with clauses 4 to 6; or
- Request that their registration be transferred to another athlete as outlined and in accordance with clauses 7 to 9.
- Participants may request a refund by emailing ‘events@outerlimitsadventure.com.au’ no less than 14 days prior to the event. No refund requests will be considered or refunds issued after this date.
- Refunds made in accordance with clause 2 are subject to a $10 transaction fee per registration being refunded.
- Participants may request to transfer their registration to another Mike Carney Toyota Trail Run Series event within the same calendar year by emailing ‘events@outerlimitsadventure.com.au’ no less than 7 days prior to the event. No transfer requests will be considered or transfers issued after this date.
- Event registrations can only be transferred once. If the registered participant is unable to attend their nominated subsequent event, the entry fee will be forfeited.
- Transfers made in accordance with clauses 4 and 5 are subject to a $5 administration fee per registration that is payable at the time of transfer.
- Participants may request to transfer their registration to another athlete by emailing ‘events@outerlimitsadventure.com.au’ no less than 7 days prior to the event. No athlete transfer requests will be considered or athlete transfers issued after this date.
- Written requests for an athlete transfer must include the full name of the athlete being nominated in the registered participant’s place as well as their mobile number, email address, gender, date of birth and emergency contact information.
- Athlete transfers made in accordance with clauses 7 and 8 are subject to a $5 administration fee per registration that is payable at the time of transfer.
Participant seeking to change nominated distance
- Registered Participants may change their nominated distance for the event by either:
- Clicking the ‘change link’ contained in the confirmation email received upon registration; or
- By emailing their request to ‘events@outerlimitsadventure.com.au’.
- Changes requested by email will be subject to a $5 administration fee.
- Where a registered participant is changing to a shorter distance, no credit or refund will be issued for any difference in registration fees between the two distances.
- Where a registered participant is changing to a longer distance, the price difference between the two distances must be paid by the registered participant at the time of requesting the change.
Event Changes/Cancellation
- Outer Limits reserves the right to alter the course without notice, reschedule and/or cancel the event in consultation with emergency services, government agencies and event stakeholders.
- Should the event need to be rescheduled, all registrations will be automatically transferred to the new date.
- Registered participants unable to attend the new date must notify Outer Limits by emailing ‘info@outerlimitsadventure.com.au’. Registered participants will then have the option to have their registration refunded (as outlined and in accordance with clauses 2 and 3), registration transferred (as outlined and in accordance with clauses 4 to 6) or nominate another athlete to take over their registration (as outlined and in accordance with clauses 7 to 9).
- In the unlikely circumstance that the event has to be cancelled and is unable to be rescheduled, all registered participants will receive a credit towards a future Mike Carney Toyota Trail Run Series event. The credit will be valid for 12 months.
- Refunds are not available where the event is unable to be rescheduled.
If you are not running and would still like to be part of the event, why not come and give us a hand. Our events can only be successful with a great team on the ground and there are plenty of things to do. If you are interested to volunteer at the Castle Hill Trail Run, please fill out the below form and we will be in touch closer to the event.
Sponsors & Supporters
