The first thing you should know about the Numinbah course is that it’s one of the most picturesque on the South East Queensland Trail Series calendar.  

The trail snakes through beautiful country around Advancetown Lake (no, I haven’t made that name up) in the Gold Coast hinterland. It’s very green, marked by tall eucalypts, remnant rainforest and creeks galore. 

It’s mountainous country which means yes, there are hills. One in particular that’s brutal. But it also means the views are spectacular.  

Running along the ridge line there are views over the neighbouring valleys to the mountains beyond. All the races in the SEQ Trail Series run through beautiful territory, but Numinbah might be the prettiest of the lot. 

There are also creek crossings. Lots of them. So many I actually lost count. The amount of water in the creeks of course varies depending on the rainfall in the lead-up. But you will get wet feet. So don’t wear your Goretex shoes. One runner I shared the trail with made that mistake and had to stop after every crossing to empty the water out of her shoes. Like running with your feet in two buckets of water.  

The course

As is always the case at these events, there are two options: 13.4 km for the long course and 8.8km for the short. The long course has 523m of elevation, the short 359m.

I ran the long course, which was demanding, but mostly runnable. It took me 1hr 45mins at an average pace of 7:45/km. I was the 163rd of 280 finishers on the day. The fastest on the day came in just over the hour mark, the slowest in 2hrs 51mins. All 162 finishers in the short course came in between 1hr and 2hrs. 

The race starts in a wide, open field that also features a series of obstacles, part of the Raw Challenge team’s obstacle course. So don’t get confused and start clambering up a rope ladder or plunging through a muddy pit.  

Starting in a field means there is plenty of space for runners to sort themselves out pace-wise, but after about 2km you hit the single track and passing becomes more difficult. At about 2.8km you pop out onto a nice, wide fire trail that runs uphill along a ridge line, but is mostly runnable. That uphill tops out around the 5km mark, just after the short course peels off.  

This is one of the most fun parts of the course - a nice, long downhill section along the ridge line that’s neither too steep nor too technical, which means you can enjoy the gorgeous views into the valleys on either side.  

Around the 6.5km mark you drop down off the ridge line and the course undulates, crossing Waterfall Creek four or five times. Enjoy this part of the course. The country is beautiful and it’s very runnable, albeit a little technical in places. 

But that changes abruptly at about the 10km mark when you hit a hill that is about as steep as anything you will encounter in the series. I like to call this one “Zombie Hill” because most of us looked like zombies as we shambled upwards, regularly stopping to stare into the middle distance, pondering our life choices.  

However, once you hit the top of Zombie Hill you are rewarded with a fast run home - once your legs have stopped trembling that is. It’s a great, downhill run, cheered on by spectators and competitors who’ve already finished their morning’s exertions.  

This was the fastest part of the race for me, my last full km clocking in at 6:05 and the final 600m at 5:34/km pace. It’s so great to finish a race like that - actually feeling like you are powering home! 

The vibe 

Like all the SEQ Trail Series events, the atmosphere at Numinbah is fantastic. Laura, Tim and the Trail Co team work hard to ensure the vibe is inclusive and fun, whether you are vying for a winners’ medal or a back-of-the-pack runner.  

Like so many trail races, there is no judgement - everyone’s a winner. Doubly so for those who win the random prize draws which take place around the same time as the presentations. 

By this stage there is just a handful of competitors left on the course, but they get the biggest whoops of the day as the official business pauses to cheer each one home, names read out over the PA they cross the line.  

Given it’s a series, there are always familiar faces at these races - both people who’ve run the events earlier in the series and those who are repeat customers. There are always plenty of runners wearing funky and colourful SEQ Trail Series singlets which feature the local wildlife.  

The mustering area for the race is lush and green, making it a top spot to refuel with a coffee, a cold drink or the after-race meal of champions - a sausage on bread, with onions of course. You can enjoy that sausage all the more knowing the proceeds go to charity.  

The verdict 

I have this down as one of the best events in South-East Queensland. The course is challenging, but also gorgeous. It’s probably my pick of the eight SEQ Trail Series races and is a fixture in my calendar.  

Plus, if you are visiting from outside SEQ, it’s within easy reach of the Gold Coast. Few better ways to start your post-run recovery than with a swim at Burleigh and a quality schooner at one of the Coast’s independent breweries. After all, it’s important to rehydrate! 

Notes 

• There are no water stations on the course and it’s mandatory to carry at least 500ml of water  

• One feature of all SEQ Trail Series races is that the courses are extremely well marked - no excuses for taking a detour! The long course is marked with pink arrows, the short course is marked in blue. There is also plenty of reflective yellow and pink tape hanging from trees, fences and whatever else is convenient 

• No dogs but kids under 12 can run provided an adult runs the entire course alongside them - if you can keep up, that is 

• The event is timed using bibs which must be worn on your front, fastened with safety pins or similar 

• There are photographers at various points on the course to capture the action, available for purchase after the event

• Make sure you leave plenty of time for a portaloo stop before the race gets underway. There will be queues! 

My Favourite Run

This part of Trail Runner Australia belongs to you. I want to hear all about your favourite run. Doesn’t have to be a race, doesn’t have to be on trails. Could be your first Parkrun, or your 500th. Might be your first run on the trails or your first “miler” (for the uninitiated, that’s a 100 mile race). Tell me where and when it took place and, of course, why it was special. I’ll print a selection of your stories here. And if you have a pic, send that and I’ll run it too.

YouTube clip of the week

Tarawera is one of the marquee trail events in our part of the world. It takes place in Rotorua, New Zealand each February. This video is the story of Beth McKenzie, a former Ironman triathlon competitor, who finished on the podium at Tarawera this year.

Upcoming Events

There are way too many events for me to list everything that’s happening around the country, but here is a selection of upcoming races (with a bias towards South East Queensland).

The Running Calendar website is a great source if you want a comprehensive understanding of what’s available around Australia.

My Running

At the moment my focus is the UTA 50 in Katoomba in mid-May, which I am really looking forward to. Training has been sporadic though, courtesy of a couple of niggling injuries and the impact of Cyclone Alfred. Ironic, because when I have been out on the trails, I’ve been feeling pretty strong. Should be running the already once postponed Hinze Dam event, part of the SEQ Trail Series, today. But that’s been cancelled. And I hold grave fears for next Sunday’s event at Daisy Hill too.

I did get in a 14km road run while I was waiting for Alfred though…

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Well, that’s it for this week. Until next time, keep on running!