Ultra Mediocre Runners of Canberra presents:
The Great Ultra Mediocre Back Yarder
The 2021 inaugural running of the GUMBY and the GUMBaby will take place in the Brindabella Ranges to the west of Canberra. The event promises a vibrant community atmosphere for runners and supporters with camping at the historic Blue Range Hut.
The races are organised by ULTRA Mediocre Runners of Canberra Incorporated, a not for profit sports club furthering the sport of ultrarunning in Canberra and surrounds.
The GUMBY is a traditional last one standing race on a 6.7km course. Runners complete a lap on the hour every hour until there is only one person standing. Everyone else receives a DNF. We expect the race to go all night, and for some, into the next day.
The GUMBaby will be 8 laps of the GUMBY course run simultaneously, covering 53.6km. This race is great introduction to ultrarunning and would be great first ultramarathon. For more experienced runners, it's a perfect training race for upcoming events. The winner of the race will be the first person across the line on lap 8.
April 24 2021. Races start at 8am.
Blue Range Hut, Blue Range Road, Coree ACT.
GUMBY: 30 participants maximum (due to ACT Gov camping restrictions)
GUMBaby: 40 participants maximum
Entry price varies depending on when you enter.
(Includes camping on Saturday and Sunday nights)
(8 laps - No camping)
The course is 6.7kms of undulating fire trail. Runners will start in the corral in front of Blue Range Hut and exit the camping ground through the north gate. They will head straight along Blue Range Road for a short distance before turning sharply to the right.
The fire trail will continue up hill and around some bends. At the first fork in the road runners keep left and continue to the northernmost point of the loop - the top of GUMBY's head - where they will enjoy the best views of the course. After rounding GUMBY’s chin, runners turn to the south.
Runners will come to a wide 3-way inersection at the top of a rise and turn left for a short out-and-back to "Facebook Hill" (named for its more reliable mobile reception). On the return keep left to return to the north gate of the camp. The lap ends where it started in front of Blue Range Hut.
Runners run the same course in the same direction once every hour. At the beginning of each hour runners who intend to continue must be in the corral next to Blue Range Hut. Any runners late to the corral will receive a DNF (both races).
Rules are the same for the GUMBaby, however the winner will be decided by a race on the last lap. Whoever completes the 8th loop first wins. All others who finish within the time frame will be recognized as finishers instead of receiving a DNF.
Blue Range Hut will be the Race HQ where race sign in and all the action takes place. The Hut is a basic facility with no power or running water.
There are composting toilets.
There are no rubbish bins at the site. We encourage you take your own rubbish home with you, but we will put out rubbish bins around the hut for convenience.
There may be tank water at the hut, but it is not considered safe to drink.
The nearest shops are about a 45 minute drive away, so bring everything you need. Please bring food, water, toilet paper and firewood if you think you will need any of these.
There will be an aid station at the start finish line with water and limited amounts other refreshments for runner use only.
A camp kitchen will be set up at the hut that will have gas burners and places to prepare food for runners.
Friday night camping can be booked during race registration by participants in either race. Only those competing in the GUMBY, designated crew and night-shift race volunteers are permitted to camp overnight on Saturday and Sunday. Camping for 24 and 25 April is included in a GUMBY entry fee. You will be provided with a tag to place on your tent / crew area.
Camp Ground Closes 10am (If you wish to stay longer you will need to book directly through the ACT Government website).