Unreasonable stage by stage breakdown

The Unreasonable East consists of 20 different stages in the 200 miler and 11 segments in the 100 Miler.

Segment breakdowns and information is as follows:

200 MILER SEGMENT INFORMATION

Segment 1 – Port Douglas to Black Mountain

- - Distance = 17.75k
  - Elevation = 501m
  - Notes = Public toilets at 7km point in Teamsters Park
  - Description = Start line of 200 miler directly out front of the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club. 5k on hard packed sand along 4 mile beach. 2.5k through footpaths on suburban streets and then 4.5k on bitumen and gravel roads past the sugar cane fields along Mowbray Valley to the base of Bump Track and start of the trail section. 2km steep climb to lookout for a final view of the coast before 2km of undulating trail to Robbins Creek. Creek should be slow running by event week and can usually cross on rocks without getting feet wet. Another 2km of undulating trail to the gate at Black Mountain Rd

Segment 2 – Black Mountain to Wetherby

- - Distance = 10.2k
  - Elevation = 149m
  - Notes = Expect wet feet at the water crossing 7k into this section
  - Description = Entire stage is a graded gravel road with the potential for a few small washouts. Undulating road through 2k of rainforest, a climb out for 1k, then a further 4k of undulations into cattle grazing land. After a left turn onto Weatherby rd, travel a further 3k through bushland and sugar cane fields to the aid station

Segment 3 – Wetherby to Quaid

- - Distance = 22.74k
  - Elevation = 558m
  - Notes = Lots of long grass and a not frequently used trail so will need to be aware and keep an eye on the markers through this section. Several creek crossings.
  - Description = From aid station, turn right onto gravel road. 1.5km undulating road. Turn left at T-intersection. Road flattens out, follow for further 2km. Turn right onto single trail (if you come to a big log across the trail, you’ve gone too far). The next 20km is single trail. Every few kms it switches back and forth from open grassland/bush to rainforest. Surface is variable including rocky, muddy and grassy sections. First 2.5km generally uphill, next 10km lots of up and down, next 3km generally downhill, then flattish 3km to Quaids Road. Turn right onto bitumen road, follow for about 500m, then branch left and follow dirt trail to Quaids Rd aid station.

Segment 4 – Quaid to Quaid

- - Distance = 24.74k
  - Elevation = 779m
  - Notes = A 4wd loop. Pretty easy to follow
  - Description = One big loop around the 7 Hills 4wd loop. Plenty of ups and downs (there are more than 7 hills despite the name!). Good running surface of gravel/fire trails and 4wd tracks. A few wash outs but dry creek beds. Some short, sharp climbs.

Segment 5 – Quaid to Armstrong

- - Distance = 16.77k
  - Elevation = 296m
  - Notes = although the gates to this world heritage area are locked, please be aware of hoons that use this road illegally at night time. Hi vis vest at all times along here.
  - Description = Head from the aid station East along the trail before joining up with Quaid Rd, a private gravel/bitumen road. Continue along Quaid Rd all the way to Black Mountain Rd where you’ll hit Armstrong Aid Station.

Segment 6 – Armstrong to Flaggy Creek

- - Distance = 17.98k
  - Elevation = 261m
  - Notes = no services between aid stations
  - Description = Entire leg is run along the gravel Black Mountain Rd. Please ensure hi vis vest worn along this section.

Segment 7 – Flaggy Creek to Kuranda (sleep station)

- - Distance = 11.71k
  - Elevation = 138m
  - Notes = no services between aid stations. Hi vis vest please.
  - Description = This section run almost entirely along the gravel Black Mountain Rd until you reach the Kennedy Highway. Caution here to NOT cross the highway as you run on the track alongside the highway, before crossing UNDER the bridge and popping out the other side to then cross OVER the bridge along the bike path. Hop off the highway once crossed the river and follow the river walk alongside the railway line all the way around the edge of town to the Barron River Falls walk. Continue along the path to Barron Falls Rd and head up to the Amphitheatre road entrance.

Segment 8 – Kuranda to Glenoma

- - Distance = 18.07k
  - Elevation = 319m
  - Notes = Pacers in the 200 miler can start from here. Public toilets at Barron Falls train station carpark
  - Description = Head up the amphitheatre driveway to Barron Falls Rd and continue left to enter the Barron Falls Walk. Turn right a few hundred metres later onto Jungle Walk. Follow this trail and signage down to Barron Falls Lookout where you can access the toilet block 200m down the carpark (optional) or follow the trail over the road and continue towards Wright’s Lookout. Follow McDonald Track (gated 4wd permit track) which is gravel and steep in sections. 5k down the track you’ll reach beaut views and also the start of the technical single track called Douglas Track. Follow the track down to the Stoney Creek Trailhead and turn left onto Stoney Creek Rd. You’ll turn left at the 3rd round about here and then a hard right and follow the footpath UNDER the Kamerunga Rd (highway), before following it around to Harley St. Be careful when crossing Kamerunga Rd to follow the footpath on the opposite side. Be vigilant here to follow flagging along Kamerunga Rd as you wind and turn your way down to Glenoma Park Aid Station.

Segment 9 – Glenoma to Copperlode

- - Distance = 12.8k
  - Elevation = 553m
  - Notes = Toilet at Glenoma Park. Toilets at Crystal Cascades before the climb to Copperlode. Very short road section from Zanzoo Close to Crystal Cascades can be tight so please stick to grass verge moving towards oncoming traffic
  - Description = All wide open and safe path from Glenoma Park to water pipe crossing over Freshwater Creek. Please take care when crossing pipes over creek. Small shoulder from connecting up to road after water pipe crossing for a few hundred metres (then after the bridge there is grass on the roadside to run along). Climb from Crystal Cascades is 1.5km very steep trail with lots of rocks, roots and ruts. Then rolling firetrail to Lake Morris Road. Finishes with 1.5km of rolling road to Copperlode Dam

Segment 10 – Copperlode to Davies Creek (sleep station)

- - Distance = 22.4k
  - Elevation = 627m
  - Notes = Public toilets at Copperlode and MTB Trail head and showers at MTB trail head.
  - Description = The first 500m: concealed flat road and a bridge across the dam, next 2km: steep ascent, next 1km: steep descent, next 9km: undulating 4WD road with a few creek crossing, next 6km: steep, overgrown single trail with some views, next 4.5km: undulating 4WD road

Segment 11 – Davies Creek to Emerald Falls

- - Distance = 17.6k
  - Elevation = 414m
  - Notes = Toilets and showers at MTB Trail Head. Public toilet at Emerald Falls.
  - Description = The first 1km: mostly flat grassy road, next 1km: mostly flat single MTB trail, 2-6kms: undulating gravel/sandy road, 6-9km: steep single MTB trail, 9-15.6km: undulating gravel road Including 3 or 4 gates, a few paddles, and a overgrown side trail for about 500m at 11km point. Cross the Emerald Creek with care (latest suggestion has been that best point is immediately as you pop out to creek or just downstream. Then follow creek up to carpark, and take the high trail tot the Emerald Falls lookout, before returning to carpark and then follow road out of public area a couple of hundred metres into thte camping area and aid station.

Segment 12 – Emerald Falls to Powerline

- - Distance = 10.1k
  - Elevation = 132m
  - Notes = drop toilet at Emerald Falls aid station
  - Description = This section follows the road verges for the entire 10k. Please run on the right hand side towards oncoming traffic single file.

Segment 13 – Powerline to Tinaroo (sleep station)

- - Distance = 20.48k
  - Elevation = 560m
  - Notes = Toilets, showers and beds at Tinaroo sleep station
  - Description = Undulating gravel track through forests with some wash outs which are deep in parts. Last kilometre into Tinaroo townsite is bitumen and then follow the dam clockwise around to the entrance to Camp Barrabadeen.

Segment 14 – Tinaroo to Kauri Creek

- - Distance = 10.32k
  - Elevation = 142m
  - Notes = Drop toilets at Kauri Creek
  - Description = 2.8kms Bitumen, 4kms of dirt road, 3.5kms of trail. Runners will need to take care on the road sections as there’s many tight, blind corners and the road can be narrow in parts. Flushing toilets & taps within 20m of the trail at Downfall Creek Campgrounds (6.8kms from Tinaroo) and Kauri Creek Campground (9.5kms from Tinaroo). Kauri Creek Day Use Area (Aid Station) Drop toilets and Picnic Tables.

Segment 15 – Kauri Creek to Varch Creek

- - Distance = 12.19k
  - Elevation = 585m
  - Notes = Drop toilets at Kauri Creek
  - Description = Lots of elevation, rainforest and wet Sclerophyll forest through this section. A long grind up to Carch Creek Trail Head.

Segment 16 – Varch Creek to Turtle Rock

- - Distance = 15.55k
  - Elevation = 627m
  - Notes = Definitely the toughest of sections with swear words undeniably thrown towards event organisers
  - Description = Heading up the Varch Creek trail is a steep 3k climb, then 6k mostly downhill, a technical trail section with lots of fallen trees and debris on the trails, but all passable and a beautiful trail section.

Segment 17 – Turtle Rock to Davies Creek (sleep station)

- - Distance = 14.23k
  - Elevation = 359m
  - Notes = Drop toilet at Turtle Rock car park. Toilets and showers at MTB trail head at Davies Creek.
  - Description = Creek crossing at the very beginning before 800m of flat bush trail. 1k climb with some steep sections before 800m of flatter ridge then a further 500m climb to Turtle Rock lookout. 2k down from here including some steeper sections back to the dirt road. Follow Davies Creek road for about 8k back to the Davies Creek Sleep Station.

Segment 18 – Davies Creek to Copperlode

- - Distance = 18.35k
  - Elevation = 617m
  - Notes = Toilets and showers at MTB trail. Toilets at Copperlode.
  - Description = The first 14km: undulating 4WD road with a creek crossing with some steep inclines and views, next 1km: steep ascent, next 2km: steep descent, the last 500m: concealed flat road and a bridge across the dam

Segment 19 – Copperlode to Engineers Park

- - Distance = 16.6k
  - Elevation = 358m
  - Notes = Toilets at Copperlode.
  - Description = Running downhill for much of this section only Copperlode Dam public access road (Lake Morris Rd). Please be aware of vehicles during day time and crew vehicles after hours. Pop up on the trails over Waddlebla & Boiboi Peaks before back onto road and down into the suburbs. Be sure not to cross over the Western Arterial as you come to it. Turn right and follow it along until you cross Ramsey Rd and then head left under the underpass.

Segment 20 – Engineers Park to Esplanade

- - Distance = 15.0k
  - Elevation = 500m
  - Notes = Toilets through botanical gardens.
  - Description = Suburban footpaths and back streets for 2k before hitting the trails for 4k up and over Mt Whitfield & Mt Lumley. Well used trails but technical with tree roots in part. Descend down from Mt Lumley (not so well used trail) before hitting Kamerunga Rd. DO NOT CROSS the road here as it is a blind corner and you need to turn left and run along the road side to join up with the footpath a little further up. Cross the road at the Barron River Hotel intersection (optional pint here if it is open!!) and join the footpath on the other side of the railway before following along the road again running along footpaths and skirting the botanical gardens for the last 8km into the Cairns Esplanade. Be careful of several road crossings in this section.

100 MILER SEGMENT INFORMATION