September 12, 2015
More than a hundred cyclists and walkers are expected to descend on the Blackbutt Rail Trail over the October long weekend for the second annual R&R Duathlon & Fun Run.
The event was created last year by Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Ambassadors, a group of local volunteers who help look after the Blackbutt-Linville portion of the Rail Trail.
They wanted to encourage more recreational use of the trail, and partnered with adventure tourism company G’onya Adventures to create the R&R event.
Close to 100 keen athletes took part in the first R&R Duathlon & Fun Run last year, and this year organisers hope for even more.
On Sunday, October 4 participants will line up at the Blackbutt Showgrounds in Bowman Road at 7:00am to take part in one of three events:
- A 30km Rail Trail Run and 30km Trail Bike Ride (Long Course): in the first part of this two-stage event, participants will run from Blackbutt to Moore (which is slightly downhill most of the way). Then they’ll change to their bikes at the Moore Community Hall for a return 30km bike ride. This event is open to both individuals and teams, and participants must be at least 18 years of age.
- A 4km Trail Run, 18km Trail Ride and 1km Run (Du Course): this event runs from Blackbutt to Nukku on the run component then Blackbutt down to Fettler’s Rest and return for the ride component, then a 1km run around the Blackbutt Showgrounds to finish off, which should take between 1.5 to 4 hours to complete. This event is for individuals or teams of any ability level, and components can be split (eg: one team member does the running component, another does the cycling component). Participants must be at least 14 years of age.
- An 8km Fun Run: This is an individual event that will take place between Blackbutt and Nukku Station. This is an out and back course, and the minimum age to take part is 14 years.
All events will take place on the Blackbutt-Linville Rail Trail, which was first built in the 1880s to transport timber, milk and beef to Brisbane and to supply farmers and rail towns.
The last service on the line was in 1989, and the route was converted to a rail trail in 2006.
There will be check points and drink stations set up along all three routes, and accommodation for out-of-town participants will be available at the Blackbutt Showgrounds or at the nearby Wiikirri and Edelweiss B&Bs, the Blackbutt Hotel and the Blackbutt Motel.
- Registrations for the R&R Dualthon & Fun Run can be made online on G’onya Adventures website
