YOURSELF IN GARIWERD Immerse

LIKE A MOTH TO A FLAME, THE GRAMPIANS (GARIWERD) IN VICTORIA DRAW NATURE ENTHUSIASTS AND EXPLORERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO DISCOVER MAJESTIC WATERFALLS, DAZZLING WILDFLOWER DISPLAYS AND AWE-INSPIRING MOUNTAIN VIEWS. THE GRAMPIANS PEAKS TRAIL IS A WORLD-CLASS HIKING EXPERIENCE, BUT NOW IT’S HOME TO THE FIRST EVER GRAMPIANS PEAKS TRAIL 100 MILER EVENT – A TRAIL RUNNER’S ANSWER TO THEIR SEARCH FOR THE MOST EPIC AND SPECTACULAR TRAIL RACE DESTINATION. KATE DZIENIS GETS THE FULL LOWDOWN ON ALL OF IT THANKS TO COURSE DIRECTORS JOSEPH DORPH AND MAJELL BACKHAUSEN, AND GPT 100 AMBASSADOR LUCY BARTHOLOMEW

WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: AARON COLLINS

Let’s face it. The truth is, trail runners are always on the hunt for the next adventure. Whether it’s on a 5km stretch of dirt that’s been found accidentally, or a flight is booked to head further than one’s own backyard, it’s something that all trail runners enjoy – exploration of the unknown.

It’s exhilarating, and it’s intrepid. We can all agree.

So on that note, there’s now an incredible opportunity for athletes to race in a world class destination for walking and hiking, where animal and plant life is abundant, and Aboriginal rock art paintings and shelters are ancient and full of mystery.

Race the Grampians Peaks Trail 100 Miler at speed and target that PB in the wild, or take it easy and absorb every breath you take. Either way, the newest event on the trail calendar is as rugged as it is beautiful with 164km of terrain that will blow your mind.

Course director Joseph Dorph initially heard of the Grampians Peaks Trail when construction began in 2015. A location about three hours west of Melbourne, the race begins at Mount Zero (the very tip of the Grampians mountain range) and winds its way southwards towards Dunkeld.

Joseph says he had heard about the Grampians trail four years ago when it was being built, and knew that many others were already thinking about how great it would be to have a point-to-point 100 mile race at the location.

“Naturally, putting the event on seemed like a no-brainer,” he reveals.

“A trail was created so that people could experience a continuous single track from north to south, and a lot of the sections were purpose built whilst some bits were already there. For walkers, it provides a 12 or 13-day trek with 12 camp sites along the route.

“Part of our application to see the GPT100 run smoothly and successfully is to have course clearers who will take markers once the race is finished, but also to help clear rubbish. Even though trail runners are known to be very mindful of their environment and aren’t the type of people to litter, there can be the odd accidental drop of an item so our course clearers will help with that.”

In its first year the GPT100 will be open to as many registrations as possible to see where the number falls, however there is confidence it won’t be over 300 people; a cap in the future may occur though. Already the race has between 70 and 80 registered participants for the miler, and there is hope that number will climb to around 150.

With runners due to start at Mt Zero picnic area, Joseph assures there is more than enough room for everyone to spread out and stagger onto the course when it’s time to get going, and explains the terrain for those who are yet to do a recon.

“The technicality of the terrain I’d say is more like a 6 out of 10,” he reveals.

“It is a very technical trail in some sections; a good chunk of it is very