2XU Falls Creek Triathlon announces inclusion of Trail Running Festival

SuperSprint has announced the inclusion of the Falls Creek Trail Running Festival along the foreshore of the mile-high Rocky Valley Lake at Falls Creek.

Events to be included are a Half Marathon (21.1km), 10km and 5km trail run, all of which will be held in conjunction with the inaugural 2XU Falls Creek Triathlon on Sunday 13 February 2011.

Entries have been pouring in at a rapid pace over the past month. With a limited field of 600 places available, the triathlon is fast becoming a must-do event on the National Triathlon Calendar, doubling as the Victorian Long Course Triathlon Championships.

Confirmed starter and 2nd place in the 2010 Geelong 70.3, Leon Griffin said “This summer is shaping up to be a smorgasbord for triathletes with some exciting new events to hit the circuit. … I can’t wait!”

The Half Marathon will be an extended version of the triathlon run leg; a two-lap course circumnavigating the scenic Rocky Valley Lake. For those who have skied or boarded at Falls Creek in winter, it will look like a whole new world.

Each of the trail runs head along tracks used by the snow groomers in winter, which consists of some gentle undulations, but predominantly flat trails. Trail runners are treated to magnificent views over the dam wall and back over the pristine valley towards Mt Beauty.

For the triathletes, the course and altitude provides a completely new challenge. A 2km swim in the crystal clear lake (17degrees) followed by a three lap 80km cycle course on the recently sealed Bogong High Plains Road – one of the highest roads in Australia, finishing with a trail run along shores of lake.

With the recent focus and increased interest of half ironman and ironman events in Australia, the timing of SuperSprint’s inaugural 2XU Falls Creek Triathlon and Trail Running Festival could not be better.

Confirmed elite level triathletes include:

• Leon Griffin
• Mitch Anderson
• Clayton Fettell
• Joseph Lampe
• Matty White
• Josh Rix
• Madeleine Oldfield
• Elly Franks

Falls Creek is Victoria’s largest and most scenic alpine village, and sets the scene for a great weekend holiday with excellent accommodation and activities for not only triathletes and runners, but for their friends and family. The alpine village has long been renowned for altitude training camps for both National and International athletes.

The altitude is expected to be an exciting challenge for all 2011 entrants in what will be a hard-fought event from start to finish.

SuperSprint and official coaching partner Tri-Alliance, have put together an altitude training camp to be held at Falls Creek over the weekend of 14 to 16 January. $260p/p (includes 2 nights accommodation and specialised training from experienced coaches).