The Sunshine Coast will be a trail-running hub on Saturday, when the region plays host to two popular events.
The second edition of the Noosa Ultra-Trail will be held in the Noosa hinterland, while the second Yandina Five ‘O’ will be held in the Yandina hinterland.
Noosa Ultra-Trail event director Nick Stewart said it had quickly become a significant event on the run calendar.
“We are humbled but extremely excited to have over 1500 participants come to Noosa for our second event,” he said.
“Not only does this make Noosa Ultra-Trail Queensland’s most popular festival-style trail run event, but it ranks the event as Australia’s third largest,” he said via an event press release.
“We’re thrilled to be able to showcase the Noosa hinterland to people from around Australia and all over the world.”
The Noosa Ultra-Trail offers runners a choice of six distances on Noosa Biosphere trails, including the Forest 15km, Cross Country 25km, Pomona Sundowner 30km, Out’N’Back 50km, Hinterland Traverse 80km and the ultimate challenge – the Ultra-Trail 100km.
The range of distances and terrain has attracted road runners, triathletes, hikers and trekkers, alongside traditional trail runners.
It has lured some of the best trail runners from Australia, including race ambassador and three-time World Trail Running Championships competitor Kellie Angel.
Five-time world triathlon champion Craig Alexander and nationally recognised local chef Matt Golinski and local yoga instructor Kat Harding are also race ambassadors.
Elite adaptive athlete Natasha Price will attempt to complete a modified 10km version of the Forest 15km course with her coach Adam Sheppard.
The event will be based mostly at the Noosa District Sports Complex.
The event will also feature a range of fantastic lifestyle activities from Thursday, March 23, to Sunday, March 26, including a Women in Sport Lunch at Peppers Noosa on Friday.
Meanwhile, the second edition of the Yandina Five ‘0’ is poised to attract an array of participants.
The Run Queensland event includes 50km, 36km, 21km and 12km courses, which wind their way through Mapleton National Park and private land.
The course takes participants across bubbling creeks, past a lookout and over challenging hilly terrain.
The event will be staged from the local craft beer brewery, Terella Brewing.
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