Our 2024 Series starts bright and early with sunrise on kunanyi’s spectacular summit (and yes, on the Regatta long weekend but we’re running on a Saturday morning so you can head away after! And it also means you can also still Run the Bridge a week later), with a kunanyi Sunrise (Sport), and for the very first time, a sunrise along Richea Ridge (Enduro) as well. 

Imagine looking all the way to Freycinet to the east and past Bruny Island in the south. The first rays of the sun are just cresting the horizon and you can feel its warmth on your skin. While you never quite know what conditions you’re going to get up the top of the mountain, there is a good chance it will be clear and still.

Starting at sunrise on the kunanyi summit means they’re also one of the most unique trail runs you can find!

Both of these runs are technical – they’re perfect for people who like rockhopping! They are the most challenging courses of our events and if you’re new to trail running, please keep in mind that it will take you much longer than an equivalent run on a flat road.

Richea Ridge: This is named after the amazing richea dracophylla, part of the pandani family and absolutely prolific along the Richea Ridge track. And in good news, they’re in flower in Summer so you will be able to enjoy them in all their glory!

The course itself is our most techcnial and gnarly, ever. That means you’ll be running (hopping along) tracks that make you feel like you’re in the wilderness — and yet you’re still right on Hobart’s doorstep! The historic water collection system along Milles track means that part is a beautiful, faster run halfway through the course, before you’ll climb back up to the Pinnacle, via the Icehouse and South Wellington Tracks. This is a steeper, more technical and exposed route than ZigZag, so you’ll get full gnarly value on this ‘Back Up’ edition!

This is an alpine run, so get ready for whatever weather the day throws at us! This course is suitable for people who are comfortable with rough, technical terrain and want an amazing wilderness experience out Hobart’s back door!

kunanyi Sunrise: We return to the kunanyi Sunrise’s traditional start at the Pinnacle (after changes in 2022 thanks to COVID). But unfortunately ZigZag still has trackwork underway and we can’t use it while that happens. You’ll hop and skip across the top of the mountain, looking out over the Channel towards South Wellington before dipping onto the Icehouse track. This is very technical but it’s worth taking note of the historic ruins of ice houses, which supplied fresh ice to the town of Hobart. You’ll almost make it almost to the Springs, before turning around and heading straight back up the way you came (Icehouse and South Wellington tracks). This is the ‘Back Up’ edition due to ZigZag track not being available. The body will most certainly be burning (perhaps check out the sweeping views over Hobart for a ‘break’) but it can then be a fast finish once you reach the top and hit the flat gravel.

Map and elevation profile courtesy of STRAVA

Map and elevation profile courtesy of STRAVA