The 50km loop starts the same way as the 22km loop by heading west from the race village before joining up with some undulating fire roads. Pay careful attention if you’re in the 104km event, as you will see this terrain once more in a few hours time (and with slightly heavier legs!). After some very runnable fire trail adjacent to Boree Creek, you’ll take a right turn after the Boree Road Aid Station and begin a gentle climb towards Alf Myers Way.

You’ll begin to climb in earnest now and continue to do so, with just a few small descents, until you reach a hard right hand turn, almost switching back on yourself at the 14.5km point. You’ll be met with stunning and endless views to the south towards Cadia as you face a long descent down into established pine forest plantation. After about 6km of steady descending, you’ll begin some short ups and downs until a particularly steep descent before flattening out and running into Rosebank Road Aid Station at 24km.

Having fuelled up here you face around 6km of steady climbing with the mountain summit popping in and out of view as you get back to higher elevations. At the 30km point you’ll be relieved to hit the end of this climb and cruise into the Towac Way Aid Station. Leaving the safety of the aid station sees you take on two technical descents back-to-back.  First up is the epic Glider Trail. Pick your lines carefully and watch your footfalls as you hit the steepest gradient of 32%. After some brief ascents, you’ll then take on the Pine Ridge descent with more downhill gradients over 30%. Keep your eyes on the trail and your ears to the wind, because you’re now within touching distance of the Tea House Aid Station at the 35.5km point.

After such an epic descent, you’re now met with a short ascent on sealed road before flicking right into some wicked downs and up, up, up again as you take on Fern Gully Fire Trail. Another short section of sealed road greets you now but it’s only momentary before you veer left and begin the final push to the summit on the Spring Glade track. The summit sits a full 200 vertical metres above you, and you’ll start to feel the change in temperature and flora as you push ever higher. Before long, you’ll you’ll take a hard right, a few stepped rises, and you’ll pop out of the snow gums and on to the summit itself. Take a breath, ring the bell and grab some nutrition – you’re now standing at the highest point and enjoying the party atmosphere of the Summit Aid Station, with 41km now complete!

From here, you’re about to take on the third epic descent on this loop – Powerline. If you can manage it, take a look at the view and play “spot the race village”, because it’s sitting there somewhere, only 600 vertical metres below you! Bomb the descent and enjoy the adventure of Black Flat Creek trail, knowing that the lower you go, the more you can open your stride. Eventually, you’re down at more reasonable altitudes and running on steadily descending pine needled forest trails, dotted with foliage and flowers. With the creek bubbling beside you to the right, settle into your stride and push over a few final climbs before you swing left and encounter the race village spread out before you. Run past the campers and up the finishing chute before celebrating your 50km challenge.

You went there, and you’re back again…

Provisions will include water, electrolyte drink, hot water for tea, coffee or soup, fruit, lollies, baked goods and crisps.  Please note – the exact provisions may vary and we recommend that all participants carry their own nutrition as required, and in line with mandatory gear requirements.

Support crew and spectators are permitted at the Tea House Aid Station and race village only due to the limited road access in other areas.