EVENT PREVIEW WORDS: HILARY MCALLISTER IMAGES: MAY KUYPERS, CHRIS WILLIAMS, CAPUCINE MERLAND-PILONCHERY
PILLIGA ULTRA COONABARABRAN, NEW SOUTH WALES Explore the rugged, ancient trails of the Pilliga Forest in NSW at this one-of-a-kind trail running event. In its second year, the Pilliga Ultra will be welcoming a limited field of 140 runners to traverse sacred Gomeroi Country, whilst raising funds and awareness to protect this precious forest against the devastation of fossil fuel extraction. The Pilliga is the largest inland forest in eastern Australia and is a biodiversity hotspot; home to +300 native animal species and more than 900 plant species. Underneath its rare eucalypt forests lie recharge zones for the Great Artesian Basin, one of the largest groundwater sources in the world. However, these ecologically significant ecosystems are under threat from enormous coal seam gas projects that will fragment the vast forest, spew c02 and increase the impacts of climate change. Along with local communities, the team at For Wild Places don’t want this harmful project to go ahead. This is why they are asking you to sign up. Your entry fee and fundraising efforts will help raise funds and awareness to protect this precious place. Over the course of the weekend, you’ll be immersed in the beauty of the Pilliga Forest, get to know the locals and learn more about the campaign. The 3-day event includes courses for everyone, including a challenging 50km ultra, a scenic 20km scramble across sandstone escarpments and a 6km dash, as well as a chaotic and fun-filled kids race. To find out more about the Pilliga and to register to run or volunteer, head to forwildplaces.com/pilligaultra REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 1 AUGUST 2023 14
EVENT Pilliga Ultra WHEN 9 September 2023 DISTANCE PU50, PU20, PU6 & Kids Run WHERE Pilliga Pottery, Coonabarabran, NSW MORE forwildplaces.com/pilligaultra
