By Callum Ludwig
The Upper Yarra is well renowned for its abundance of tracks and trails perfect for a run, with the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail notably popular.
Over the long weekend, Warburton Trail fest will be in town to celebrate everything about our local trails with a number of fun activities and events.
Event organiser and Director of Tour de Trails Chris Ord said having grown up in Warburton, he wants the event to celebrate the mountain lifestyle that everyone in the Upper Yarra Valley loves and appreciates.
“It’s mostly a running event, with everything from a 50km ultra-marathon to an inclusive 4.5km event for all abilities, but it’s also about mountain lifestyle and just the appreciation of the beautiful place that is the Upper Yarra Valley,” he said.
“I want to welcome people to appreciate the wilderness, I have a really strong opinion that for people to appreciate nature and want to protect nature, you’ve got to give them the ability to get into nature and not everyone is naturally able to jump in and do that.”
The event will run for two and a half days of the Labour Day long weekend.
On Saturday morning, runners will be able to start the day with a 50km, 27km or 4km run. This will be followed by live music from local duo The Flaming Moes and a free beer or a few at the Salomon tent into the afternoon. A seminar from Guinness World Record holder Erchana Murray-Bartlett about her Tip to Toe journey at 2.30pm at the Warburton Bowls Club and a screening of The Alpinist at the Arts Centre will round out the day’s activities.
Mr Ord said it’s the fifth year of the event, which saw over 1000 registrations last year.
“Warburton has a decent tourism economy as it is but this obviously puts more money into the tills of local businesses. Last time, we did a survey and we were putting in about $350,000 directly into the Valley’s economy through food spend, petrol spend, accommodation spend and more,” he said.
“The idea is to expose the area to people who might not have been to the Yarra Valley before, and then they decide to come back again and enjoy Warburton themselves later when its quieter and local businesses need them.”
On Sunday morning, there are 22km, 14km and 4.5km options available. The 4.5km will be a ‘Body Positive Stomp’ where people of all genders, ages, sizes and abilities can enjoy making their way along flat trails with no fear of judgement or pressure, hosted by Escaping Your
Comfort Zone. A picnic in the park will be held after so bring something to enjoy, with a free Yin Yoga session also on to help recuperate.
Saturday will also host the Three Thong Thang, a sprint where participants will have two thongs on their feet and another of a different variety somewhere else on their body (other clothes are allowed to protect your modesty if you prefer.)
Environmental advocates Hilary McAllister and Liz Mackevicius will host a seminar on how to be trail advocates and custodians as well as runners in the afternoon, while those who still feel they haven’t run enough can go on an 8kmnight run or just enjoy a night at The Alpine Hotel.
Mr Ord said he hopes for attendees to come to stay in town and connect with the area and the local community, with plenty of support to participate.
“We use the event to introduce all of the different things you can do in Warburton from La La Falls to the Rainforest Walk and Mt Donna Buang,” he said.
“We find a lot of people find themselves in trail running because it’s welcoming, it’s an anomaly in terms of competitive recreation in that everybody really encourages each other along, and it’s the people at the back who get the biggest cheers.”
On Monday, the event will wrap up with the ever-popular Lilo Derby down the Yarra River, with a study inflatable recommended and helmets and footwear required.
For the event schedule and more information about the Warburton Trail Fest, go to www.warburtontrailfest.com/about.
