Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra course, like many exciting international trail running events, the CPTU comes into contact with nature and wildlife. Japan and North America runners are asked to be careful of bears, at Western States of America, mountain lions are also a danger. Almost all of Australia is a snake bite risk. Around the Kuranda region, there are Cassowaries that we also have to be careful of and respect. In sub-tropical and tropical rainforest areas we have the Giant Stinging Trees to be aware of, not to mention the “wait-a-whiles” All this can add to the adventure experience for trail runners. Or you can be like Race Director, Shona Stephenson is leech phobic!

This is Australia, Crocodiles are found along the Australian Coast from Gladstone to the Top of Cape York

The CPTU course is considered to be in Croc-Country, this means that we have to be careful when close to large bodies of water. Locals live along side with crocodiles daily without any problems, however they are careful and always aware they could be there.

The risk of being taken by a Crocodile on the CPTU course is low. You will be running along a course, that is on land. Any creek crossing you do will be in the dry season and in fresh water, away from deep water and estuaries. 4 Mile Beach is not a natural hunting habitat for a crocodile, as it is a flat beach and does not provide the depth for a crocodile to launch its body out of the water as their hunting ground is rivers and estuaries. They may use it as a “Highway” to move between river mouths, so we still have to be aware and alert.

The CPTU course finishes on a beach that is tidal. This means the water level will change over the course of the event. Only the CPTU120 and CPTU80 runners may be affected. Our leading runners will be arriving at High Tide, the tide is only 2.09m, and the high tide is in daylight.

High Tide is at 16:30 (4:30 pm Saturday Evening )

Race Director Shona Stephenson has been advised by a local crocodile handler about the risks of running along 4 Mile Beach at high tide and at night.

For this reason we are asking you to be “Croc-wise”.

To help you to be “Croc-wise”, You will be allowed to have a pacer with you from The Bump Track CP6 from Dusk. This will mean you will have a fresh set of eyes, and an extra head torch with you to keep an eye out for Crocodiles. We highly recommend an Ay-UP Headtorch, as they are like a car headlight. If you do not have a pacer organised you may wait for the next runner to run along the beach with to the finish line, or take the High Tide Course and avoid the beach at night.

We are reviewing the tide heights, and the risks to our runners, and if it is necessary to be a period during the event that you will be diverted to avoid the high tide along 4 Mile Beach, Port Douglas, 3.5km from the finish line, depending on what is decided, you will be diverted along the Old Port Rd, right onto the beach walkway, left onto the Esplanade, then finishing at Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club.

You will also have GPS Trackers on you and will be contacted if the tide is too high and you are running on the beach.

When the tide has dropped you will be allowed back onto the beach to finish your event through to 10am the CPTU120 cutoff. We have been advised at 3m distance on 4 Mile Beach is a safe distance between yourself and the tide. This differs from a deep water safe distance of 5m, as advised in the link below. When around deep water (like the Mowbray River or a deep waterhole, lake), please stay more than 5m away from the waters edge.

Please read the Queensland Government Website for more details.

If you have any questions please contact Shona directly, she will be more thank happy to answer any questions you may have.

Queensland Government Guidelines Below

Croc country (considered to be typical crocodile habitat) begins at the Boyne River south of Gladstone, and extends northward, up the east coast and across Far North Queensland. Crocodiles can sometimes also be found outside of croc country.

Just because you can’t see a crocodile, it doesn’t mean there is not one close by. Crocodiles can stay underwater for more than an hour. Even large crocodiles can be completely concealed in knee-deep water.

Report all crocodile sightings as soon as possible even if you’ve reported the animal before by:

Using the QWildlife app available for iOS and Android

• accessing the sighting report online, or

• calling 1300 130 372 [select option 1]

Stay at least 5m from the water’s edge

Crocodiles often hunt their prey at the water’s edge

Dispose of your food and fish scraps in a bin

Don’t leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water, around your camp site or at a boat ramp. Crocodiles will be attracted by an easy meal, and this puts subsequent visitors to the area at risk.

Do not feed crocodiles

it is illegal, dangerous, and teaches crocodiles to associate humans with food.

Be extra cautious at night, dusk and dawn when crocodiles are most active.

Do not use kayaks, paddleboards and other small craft

in crocodile habitat areas. The smaller the vessel, the greater the risk—crocodiles have taken people from small vessels.

Stay well away from crocodile traps

Crocodile traps are designed to attract hungry crocodiles so avoid fishing and boating near them and never interfere with them. People who deliberately interfere with the operation of crocodile traps face potential penalties of over $15,000.

Dogs are attractive prey to crocodiles.

• Keep your pets on a lead and away from the water’s edge.

  Watch out for crocodiles in unusual places after very high tides and heavy rains.

  Crocodiles can move further upstream during very high tides and periods of flooding and may move into new areas where they have not been seen before.

  Breeding female crocodiles will defend their nests aggressively.

  September to April is breeding season for crocodiles.

  Crocodiles are more active during the warmer months of the wet season.