27km – Merlot

Following the same opening route as the 42km Shiraz course, runners depart from the front gates of Mount Avoca Winery and head out on a flat, fast opening section through the vineyards of Blue Pyrenees Estate. It’s the perfect opportunity to settle into your pace before reaching the foothills of the Pyrenees Range.

Your first real challenge comes with the climb to Governors Lookout, arriving around the 9km mark. The lower trails provide a steady introduction, but don’t get too comfortable.

You may reach “The Guv” with plenty left in the tank, but it’s the Guv’s Mistress that really puts the screws on. This climb is steep and relentless for around 1km before easing into a more manageable gradient as you make your way onto Dead Wood Ridge. The name alone should give you some indication of what’s ahead.

The next 10km showcases some of the best running in the Pyrenees, with sweeping views across both sides of the range and glimpses of Mount Avoca Winery and Blue Pyrenees Estate below. The route weaves together jeep tracks, flowing singletrack and sections of fire road, creating a constantly changing and engaging trail experience.

Eventually, the course tips downward for a thrilling descent from Mount Avoca to Waterfalls Campground, dropping more than 345 vertical metres in quick fashion.

From there, you’ll have a chance to shake out the legs as the course skirts Sugarloaf Reservoir before joining the final section of Mount Avoca Winery singletrack, specially built for this event.

A few kilometres from the finish, runners can choose to make a stop at the famous Tasty Trail Aid Station. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Enjoy a sip of local wine and a mouthful of soft, salty cheese before tackling the final descent and flowing run through the vines.

Crossing the finish line earns you a finisher’s medal in the form of a specially engraved wine glass, with the cellar door bar ready to fill it with a complimentary beverage of your choice.

Will a Merlot be waiting for you at the finish? Only one way to find out.