Irrational South Stage by Stage Breakdown

The Irrational South consists of 21 different segments in the 200 Miler and 11 segments in the 100 Miler.

Here are some detailed descriptions of each segment.

200 MILER SEGMENT INFORMATION

Segment 1 – Wadna (Blinman) to Glass Gorge

Distance = 24.17k

Elevation = 165m up, 413m down

Notes = Cheer zone as runners pass through past Blinman Hotel 9k into the segment

Description = Leaving Wadna, runners head out through the entrance to the road and turn right, heading towards Blinman. At the asphalt, turn right again and follow road for 2.5k to the Arkaroola turnoff before heading left for 500m and left again onto a gravel track. Follow behing the range of Blinman, keeping the Cairn on your left until the gravel track brings you back into town at the Hotel and you turn right to head up Glass Gorge Rd and follow the gravel road for 15k to the aid station.

This section is a little ashphalt, a small amount of 4wd track and about 17k gravel road.

Segment 2 – Glass Gorge to Parachilna Gorge

Distance = 15.59k

Elevation = 115m up, 248m down

Notes = Be aware of road traffic in single lane areas of gorge.

Description = Follow the gravel road all the way South to Parachilna Gorge Rd, passing through some single lane gorges and turns. Turn left at T junction and follow to the aid station and Heysen Trail head.

Entirely gravel road for all of this section.

Segment 3 – Parachilna Gorge to Aroona

Distance = 18.22k

Elevation = 348m up, 222m down

Notes = Heysen trail begins here

Description = Leave the aid station and folow the Heysen trail the entire way to Arrona Homestead, following and criss-crossing creeks and along goat trails. The beginning of rocky trails.

Segment 4 – Aroona to Trezona

Distance = 14.12k

Elevation = 250m up, 272m down

Notes = Drop toilets located at campsite just near aid station for Aroona, and another drop toilet at Trezona.

Description = After crossing Aroona Creek, follow the Bulls Gap 4wd trail and join the walking trail that will take you down into Trezona. Combination of 4wd and goat trail.

Segment 5 – Trezona to Bunyeroo

Distance = 11.22k

Elevation = 132m up, 54m down

Notes = Drop toilet at Trezona

Description = Leave the Trezona campground and head South along the Hesyen crossing Brachina Gorge Rd. Follow Yanyanna track (4wd track) down to Bunyeroo Rd and turn left to head down 500m to aid station. Mainly 4wd track along this section.

Segment 6 – Bunyeroo to Wilpena

Distance = 22.61k

Elevation = 459m up, 366m down

Notes = Many photo opportunities in this section. Drop toilets and cafe at Wilpena.

Description = Arguably the most stunning of sections at sunset/sunrise. As you leave Bunyeroo aid station, you will head down into a gorge and the most amazing of range views will open up. A long section crossing creek beds on a combination of 4wd tracks and goat trails that takes you into the Wilpena Sleep Station.

Segment 7 – Wilpena to Wilpena

Distance = 18.42k

Elevation = 479m up, 479m down

Notes = toilets nearby the aid station at Wilpena.

Description =Some pretty spectacular views into and from the pound on this segment. Some single trails up onto the saddle from the resort and a few metres of steep climb up towards the saddle which will be the sharpest climbing on the course. Please take great care whilst climbing this segment. DO NOT climb up St Mary’s peak as this is a sacred site and runner’s are not allowed there.

Once over the saddle, runners will continue in an anti clockwise direction on more single trail that will gradually widen and turn into fire trail, eventually making your way back to the Wilpena Sleep Station.

Segment 8 – Wilpena to Black Gap

Distance = 14.13k

Elevation = 214m up, 369m down

Notes =Toilets ONLY at Wilpena.

Description = Head back out into the pound and follow the course to black gap for a sneaky climb up out of the pound and a very steep descent on the other side. Please use caution here and follow our pink flagging to guide you down safely. Black Gap aid station is just a few kilometres after the descent.

MAKE SURE YOU FULLY RESUPPLY AT BLACK GAP

Segment 9 – Black Gap to Red Range

Distance = 14.06k

Elevation = 219m up, 154m down

Notes = YOU NEED TO FILL UP LOTS OF WATER AND FOOD TO GET YOU TO MOUNT LITTLE FROM HERE AS RED RANGE ONLY A WATER TANK TOP UP. Long drop toilet at red range.

Description = Effectively allow supplies for the next 30k from here. Red Range will only be a water tank and a long drop toilet.

Once leaving the Black Range, you will continue on the Heysen along goat trails for a good 8k until you then criss cross dry creek beds to Red Range.

Segment 10 – Red Range to Mt Little

Distance = 16.37k

Elevation = 64m up, 273m down

Notes = Drop toilet at Red Range. Toilets and showers and kitchen at Mt Little Sleep Station.

Description = Criss Cross a dry creek all the way to the Gap at Mt Little. The Heysen signage along here is very ordinary, so follow the pink flagging along the creek bed to guide you to Mt Little, otherwise you will waste lots of time trying to find the Heysen markers. Once you hit the gap just out from Mt Little, follow the arrows to the sleep station.

Segment 11 – Mt Little to Mt Little

Distance = 18.56k

Elevation = 117m up, 117m down

Notes = Section all through the station. Toilets at shearing shed checkpoint (100 miler start line) 4k after leaving sleep station. Be aware of SHARED ROADS with traffic.

Description = Head West from the sleep station along the gravel road and follow the arrow turn approx 1800m in, to turn right across the 4wd track before joining another gravel road and heading up to Mt Little Homestead and Shearing Shed checkpoint. From there, heading West along some 4wd trails towards the highway and briefly following the Old Ghan track including crossing the creek following the old bridge piers. Note that the track is a choose your own adventure across the creek just ensuring you keep within distance of the bridge piers as you join the markers again on the other side of the creek and follow the old train line for 100m or so before joining the Mt Little Station main driveway and follow Easterly until you return to the sleep station. Again, watch for sharing the road with crews, caravans and campers along here.

Segment 12 – Mt Little to Old Wonoka

Distance = 15.43k

Elevation = 112m up, 54m down

Notes = Last toilets at sleep station before Hawker.

Description = Head back out through the gap to the main creek and continue criss crossing creek bed for about 13k after the gap before hitting a station track and making your way to the Wonoka water drop. NOTE – you will ignore the Heysen marker sending you right about 70m before the water drop. Just keep following the 4wd track along to a gate where the water station will be on the other side of the gate with a gazebo.

Segment 13 – Old Wonoka to Hawker

Distance = 5.78k

Elevation = 30m up, 7m down

Notes = WATCH FOR TRAFFIC CROSSING HIGHWAY. Toilets, cafes, convenicence stores and hotel in Hawker.

Description = Upon leaving the water station, cross the main highway and run towards oncoming traffic on the verge towards Hawker.

Segment 14 – Hawker to Jarvis Hill

Distance = 7.11k

Elevation = 144m up, 71m down

Notes =Last toilets at Hawker for about 80k!!!

Description = Be careful in crossing the highway and making the climb following the road up to Jasrvis Hill. Please run single file towards oncoming traffic and note road will be very dusty if dry conditions.

Segment 15 – Jarvis Hill to Barnes Rd

Distance = 25.4k

Elevation = 155m up, 385m down

Notes = Keep an eye on pink flagging in this section as Heysen markers poor.

Description = Head down the hill form Jarvis lookout for about 1km on the road before turning left on the trail and continuing towards the range to the West. At the base of the range, turn left and head South along the trail. Follow a combination of fence lines and farm tracks all the way through to the gate that will greet you with another water station. If running this section at nioght, note that the bare rolling hills can be very windy and cold.

Segment 16 – Barnes Rd to Partacoona

Distance = 7.15k

Elevation = 21m down, 39m up

Notes = Beware of shared traffic

Description = Continue straight along the road here to Partacoona aid station. When leaving the actual Partacoona Station gate entrance, you will be running a short 1k out n back section up to the aid station.

Segment 17 – Partacoona to Buckeringa

Distance = 19.11k

Elevation = 276m up, 215m down

Notes =Head back the way you came for the first 1k

Description =Once back at the gate entrance to Partacoona Station, turn left and follow the Heysen Trail. A combination of fence lines and goat tracks will lead you running parralel to the Buckeringa Range which reflects some incredible light, particularly at sunrise! You will enter the Buckeringa Wildlife Sanctuary and just a kilometre or so short of the aid station, you will leave the Heysen Trail (will be signed) for a 1k out’n’back to Buckeringa aid station.

Segment 18 – Buckeringa to Warren Gorge

Distance = 22.21k

Elevation = 831m up, 700m down

Notes = Arguably the most beautiful but also brutal section. Toilets at Warren Gorge.

Description = Head back into Buckeringa Wildlife Sanctuary and up through the Gorge before making a climb up on to the ridge line. The ridges are bare of trees for most of this section and can be very cold and windy. Eventually about 17k into this section, you will start following a creek line down from the ridgetops and into a creek bed, before making a sharp turn left (will be signed) and leaving the Heysen Trail to head into the stunning Warren Gorge.

Segment 19 – Warren Gorge to Dutchman’s Stern

Distance = 17.78k

Elevation = 214m up, 159m down

Notes = WATCH FOR TRAFFIC

Description = You will head out on the main gorge road here and out of the park entrance to the asphalt. Follow the road verge all the way to the Dutchmen’s Stern turnoff. Turn right here andc follow the gravel road up to the aid station.

Segment 20 – Dutchmen’s Stern to Dutchmen’s Stern

Distance = 10.3k

Elevation = 413m up, 413m down

Notes = An anti clockwise loop as per the other loops (Wilpena and Mt Little)

Description = A great single track loop that takes you up and around Dutchmen’s Stern. The final climb of the event before returning back to the aid station.

Segment 21 – Dutchmen’s Stern to Quorn

Distance = 14.21k

Elevation = 96m up, 243m down

Notes = The home stretch! Watch for traffic crossing the highway.

Description = Head down the entrance gravbel road for a few hundred metres before turning right and following the fire track through paddocks before popping out the otherside of farm land and onto a gravel road that will take you down to the highway to cross and then the same with the train line. All crew can join you from the train line crossing to the finish. Please keep an eye out for traffic and road crossings and when running along gravel roads.

100 MILER SEGMENT INFORMATION

Segment 11 – Mt Little Homestead to Mt Little Aid Station

Distance = 17.65k

Elevation = 119m up, 117m down

Notes = Section all through the station. Toilets at shearing shed checkpoint (100 miler start line). Be aware of SHARED ROADS with traffic for last 6k.

Description = Head East on a marked loop before returning to the start line. From here, head West along some 4wd trails towards the highway and briefly following the Old Ghan track including crossing the creek following the old bridge piers. Note that the track is a choose your own adventure across the creek just ensuring you keep within distance of the bridge piers as you join the markers again on the other side of the creek and follow the old train line for 100m or so before joining the Mt Little Station main driveway and follow Easterly until you return to the sleep station. Again, watch for sharing the road with crews, caravans and campers along here.