“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

Topic: Trail-based “Adventure Sport"

• Runs in natural settings• Includes trail races, but also • Adventure races• Team 'Treks'• Supported walks• My focus today is on trail-based events

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

George Brass, only finisher in the 1962 Mountain Trial (UK)

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

The characteristics of "Adventure sport"

• First and most important, it is nature-based• May be competitive, to different degrees• Provides supportive logistics & culture• Large scale but very occasional use• Mainly trail-based - no new facilities, IF shared-use• Low environmental impact• And - these events are growing fast!

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

Chart: Participation in long distance running (Australia)

"Mothers Day Classic attracted 50,000 participants nationally in 2007, up 31%“ (Aust)

"Trail races now routinely fill online entry quotas in minutes“ (USA Trailrunner magazine)

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

Put simply, we've got it wrong

• Overseas, huge range of events • Australia, huge barriers to events• In SE Queensland, exclusive use zoning• Walking tracks for walkers only, 365 days/year

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

Chasing a permit in QueenslandThis zone-based exclusionary system also leads to:• A culture of conformity and precedents• Loss of evidence-based decision-making

Permits need to be based on a broader view of

the specific values and issues of the event

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

Why is all this important?

• Policy issue: “opportunities for solitude” vs obesity vs building an active culture

• Policy issue: regional promotion• Policy issue: self-funding, & can fund trails maintenance• Policy issue: runners are low impact park users • Policy issue: targeting youth and low incomes

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

Principals of sustainable events

• We need signature events in some high-demand areas• Regional events in national parks should be the norm• Also, shorter frequent events in accessible city parks• Provide support so fun runners and walkers feel safe• Access to well-signed, well-maintained trails• Well-designed routes also use low-demand trails• Cap entry numbers, ‘wave’ starts, trail courtesy briefings• Trail runs have minimal environmental impact

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

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Birdwatcher

Trailrunner

Bushwalker

Rogaines

Bikes

Trailbikes

4WDs

Trackcutter

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

Mont Blanc: Classic example of shared use - 130km of low-risk alpine trails across 3 countries, permitting 3,500 entrants in its 5th year

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

German Gutsmuth: A national symbol of achievement – run regularly since the 1970s, attracts 15,000 runners and walkers

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

England’s Lakeland Trails: New shorter run/walks - all four rated Top 50 by Runner’s World; 80% of 4,500 entrants travelled from outside the Lake District

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

USA National Trail Series: 150+ races and growing every year - huge incentive for regional travel; many fields fill up in first 10 minutes of online entries

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

NZ's Kepler Track: 20th year - 400 participants on alpine trail, major fundraiser for track maintenance eg helicopter gravel for trails and hut extensions

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

Hopeful signs from NSW• Six Foot Track: 800 entrants, raises $30,000• Sydney's Trailwalker raised $3 million!• Two new trek-style events in Blue Mountains• One regional park ranger even rang a run

organiser to encourage him to start an event…

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

QLD Great Walks = contested ground

• Current SE Queensland interpretation: exclusive use• New Zealand interpretation: 4/9 have events• Kepler, Routeburn, Tongariro, Abel Tasman• Great Walk = ideal venue for annual event• Promote the Walk, the region, and fitness• Next step: seeking high level meetings

“Running in the wild – catching up with the rest of the world”

Ernest Dalziel 1910 Grassmere Guides Race