WELCOME TO THE NEW 5TH RACE OF THE HOKA ONE ONE TRAIL RUNNING SERIES WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT NIGHT!!

Yes you read that correctly, the 5th and final race of the 2016 HOKA ONE ONE Trail Running Series will be conducted as a night run with all runners lighting up the trail with your own (head) torch for what will be an INCREDIBLE RACE EXPERIENCE – followed by a massive post race celebration on Friday night!

We will conduct the short, medium and long course races in the same way as at the other race locations with a single mass start for each distance, but all runners will be carrying a torch allowing you to follow the trails and the reflective course markings. The courses will be the exact same as those used in race 1 so all returning runners will be familiar with the trail and the challenges (and rewards) along the way, giving peace of mind and comfort for those new to night running.

The thing you will notice is how much fun night running is, how you become alert to different things and the great sense of unity you’ll share with the other runners as you light up the trails as one big line of luminescence.

Tell me about night running

If you have not been night running with a head torch before then get ready for one of the most memorable runs of your life as you race along the trails in a completely new way.

You’ll find that night running is truly a sensory experience where all your senses are turned to high-alert as you explore the wilderness without the benefits of full day light to show the way. You’ll notice that your hearing turns up and you will hear all sorts of new sounds (like the birds in the trees and the crickets in the grass), you’ll fully zone into the trail and focus on each and every foot strike as you feel yourself almost flying through the darkness around you.

Night running is a great experience on your own but in the company of hundreds of other runners all lighting up the trail, the atmosphere is electric. You will love it.

Series finale celebration

The 5th race at Studley Park is now the final race of the 2016 HOKA ONE ONE Trail Running Series and what better way to celebrate the end of the Series than with a massive party at the finish line!

We will have plenty of live music, food and beverages at the finish line to allow us all to celebrate the end of the Series in style! We will also present all Gold Runners with a finishers' medal as you cross the line and conduct the series finale presentations as well as plenty of stories, spot prizes and fun as we cap off another great year of trail running.

The HOKA ONE ONE Trail Running Series will conclude with a a NEW race 5 at Studley Park, Kew:

When: Friday 23 September 2016.
Where: Studley Park Boathouse, Kew
What:

• VFuel Long Course: 15km 
• Medium Course: 10.8km
• Short Course: 5km

As outlined above, the new 5th race of the series will be conducted at night, after sunset with all runners carrying a (head) torch to light up the trail.

This unique trail running event will be amongst the first of its kind in Australia as the entire race will be held after dark – making it an incredible race experience for everyone. The courses will be the exact same as those used in race 1 giving you some familiarity but you will be amazed at just how different they feel when you’re vision is restricted to the cone of light emanating from the front of your torch.

We’re sure you’ll find it to be a great experience and a suitable finale to another great series.

The location - the same as race 1:

The event expo and race finish line is adjacent to the Studley Park Boathouse, Kew, located on Boathouse Road, just off the Yarra Boulevard near Studley Park Road.

Car parking and access to the event

We recommend that people run, walk, ride or take public transport to the event to save fossil fuels, but if you choose to drive, there is a range of parking locations surrounding Studley Park as outlined below:

• Studley Park Boathouse, accessed off Yarra Boulevard
• Yarra Boulevard on the road side
• Yarra Bend Rd and around Sir Herbert Olney Oval and Deep Rock Road. All parking on this side is accessed off Heidelberg Rd.

Click here for a parking plan.

Note: Access to the one way road loop at very northern end of Yarra Bend Rd (nearest the boathouse) will be restricted between 8:45am and 9:40am as this loop forms the start chute for the races.

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