Safety Briefing.
We acknowledge and respect the Djabugandji Bama (First Nations People ) the Traditional Owners of the area known as Djirri Nyundu Nyrrumba which included Barron Gorge National Park, the Djabugay people in the Kuranda Region. The CPTU course takes place within Wet Tropics World Heritage Area which extends for 450km between Townsville and Cooktown, consisting of nearly 900,000ha of vegetation of primarily tropical rainforest. We will also be passing through the Yirrganydji Country, mama kulpul-parra ( saltwater people ), this country extends from the Cairns Trinity Inlet, Pana Wangal to Diji, Port Douglas. This is a special and protected place, please travel with care, we all have to behave like custodians of the land and follow the Leave No Trace Principles.
· Travel on durable surfaces - only run on the marked trails
· Dispose of Waste at the Check Points
· Respect Wildlife
Trail Running is a dangerous sport and there is a risk of you being injured, lost, dehydrated or just plain exhausted. The condition of the trails this year are extremely slippery with the unseasonal rain. We ask that you all be careful when crossing creeks, and descending.
If you are sick, DO NOT RUN. Running when you are unwell can be extremely dangerous. Make yourself known to staff and support crew and we will withdraw you from the event.
It is important for you to look after yourself, stay alert, and watch every step. We advise you to:
· Drink to thirst to avoid dehydration, take a good quality electrolyte like Hammer Endurolyte every 30 minutes to 1 hour.
· Eat every 30-45 minutes to keep your glucose levels steady
· Have the capacity to carry at least 1.5L of fluid between checkpoints.
120km runners must be weighed in at the start line. Please check-in with event staff at the start line. Your weight will be logged on your race bib and start line logs. You will again be weighed at CP2, 40km into your run. If you lose more than 3% body weight or gain weight then we will ask you to see the First Aid officer for further assessment. If you have lost more than 2% body weight and you are showing signs of dehydration or generally looking unwell, then we will ask you to stay at the checkpoint until you have recovered or you may be pulled from the course. If you gain weight this is also a sign of danger as your body is no longer regulating your salts and electrolytes properly. This can be fatal especially if you continue to drink plain water. We provide electrolytes at the aid station. Please use them, it is for your own safety.
All Runners in the CPTU120, 80, 40 and 20 must carry a 1x High Visibility Vest that complies with the CPTU Standards for road crossings. They must wear the High VIs Vest when travelling along the roads on the course including, Speewah Rd, Stoney Creek Rd Speewah Until CP1, Stoney Creek Rd Kamerunga until CP2, Wrights Lookout Rd Kuranda, and CP3 Kuranda, Between CP3-CP4, CP5 and Mitre Street Beach Access walkway.
· When crossing roads, you MUST give way to cars and other vehicles. Cars have the right of way on the course. Only cross the road if it is safe to do so. If you are racing the CPTU120 or 80, you will cross two sugar train tracks on The Bump Track in Craiglea. You must give way to these trains.
· Remove your earphones when crossing roads for your own safety.
· It is good trail etiquette to remove earphones when running near others so you can hear if a runner would like to pass you, and more importantly hear if a fellow runner has a problem behind you.
· Follow COVID Safe guidelines and maintain social distancing at all times
· Use the provided hand sanitiser at the checkpoints, emergency water stops, finish line and toilets.
Listen to all marshals on the course. They are volunteers and are giving up their time so you can compete in the Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra.
Be kind and respectful to all marshals and volunteers. Any runner found disobeying a marshal on the road sectors of the course will be immediately disqualified.
Stay alert and ensure you follow the course markings. There will be a course marker at approximately 1km intervals on Clohesy River Rd and Black Mountain Rd, The Bump Track and 500m intervals on single tracks. Closhey 4WD Track has been marked “line of sight” where there is no clear path. We use 3 close markers will lead you around intersections, or follow the arrow. Forested single trail markings will be placed much closer together. Pink Ribbon with a reflector marker in the day and Pink Ribbons. We will not mark the beach for the 120 and 80, just turn left!
Clohesy River 4WD Track, is 5km in is an area that can not be reached by car 4WD on the CPTU120 and CPTU40 course. If you are injured here, there is little phone reception, let a passing runner know your location, or have the runner find the nearest marker and forward the message onto the CP Staff. Our sweepers will be following closely behind the last runner with first aid supplies. QAS Ambulance Vehicle support will be stationed at the South end of Speewah Rd, and will be able to assist. All runners entering this area will be wearing a GPS tracker; please ensure your GPS tracker is fitted correctly on your race vest.
Follow the “Arrows” in the direction it is pointing. The symbol “X” marks the wrong way, do not go this way. If you haven’t seen a course marker for 500 meters please stop, think and retrace your steps and go back to your last marker and check your position on your map. There are many off-shoot trails along the course. We have marked the course so there is either an arrow (continue the way of the arrow) or 3 ribbons leading you through an intersection. Only follow these course markings. If you are really lost, stop, stay where you are, conserve your energy and please call Cora for directions, Contact numbers are on your Race Bib and we will be able to help you. Put it into your phone now - 0483 071 844
If you are a 120km 80km or 40km runner, we will be able track your location with your GPS tracker. If you have not moved from an on-course location for 30min, we will contact you by phone. You must have phone battery at all times to ensure we can reach you.
If you are running the CPTU120 and CPTU40 event you will be crossing the Kuranda Scenic Railway Bridge when descending Douglas Track. This track crosses over the Kuranda Scenic Railway with a metal bridge. No runners are allowed to be on this bridge if the training is within 100m and approaching the bridge. You must stop and wait for the Train to fully pass under the bridge before you are allowed to cross the railway tracks. The train will be expect at the Douglas Track Bridge Crossing between 10:15 and 11:15 am.
Watch your step, every step. There are many rocks, tree roots, cliffs in the area that we are passing through, care must be taken to avoid injury.
The Rainforest areas have dangerous trees called Giant Stinging Trees, the leaves of this tree are large, broadly ovate shaped, pale green, hairy often heavily chewed by insects. The hairs can give you a severe sting that may last for days or even months. The pain can be referred to other areas of the body. The stings will be small red spots but may form together into a swollen mass. If stung, you can remove hairs with your strapping shape, like waxing yourself. When running, please avoid these leaves, as they will ruin your day or even month!
“Wait a whiles” are also a danger on the course, they hang down from climbing palm trees and can catch your clothing, packs or worse, eye, skin. Keep your hands close when on the course and keep a watch for the thin 6mm darkly coloured vines that are hanging from above. If you are caught, retrace your steps and just “Wait -a -While” be calm and untangle yourself.
Cassowaries are also common in the region, it is best to be respectful off their space. If you are lucky enough to come across a Cassowary, back away from the cassowary, get a few trees between yourself and the cassowary, or rotate your pack to the front of you if there are no trees around. Let the cassowary go on its way and keep calm and keep some trees between yourself and Cassowary, and slowly walk away.
Snakes are common when running anywhere in Australia, and is the reason why we have you carry a “Snake Bite Bandage”. If you are bitten by a snake. Stop moving, stay as still as possible, sit down and take out tour snake bite bandage. Apply the mummification method when applying your snake bite bandage and immobilise the affected area. Stay still can call 000 or our event Medical Line 0472 703 920. If you have a GPS tracker your tracker as an emergency button, press this button and it will automatically alert the CPTU Medics that you need assistance as well as give your location. If you are not in phone reception, send an SOS call out on your mobile phone and let the next runner know that you need assistance and they are to go to the nearest checkpoint to find help.
If you run past and someone is injured but can walk to the next checkpoint, please alert any on-course personnel and checkpoint staff know someone is injured. Please note their location, trail intersection and bib number. This information will aid with their “ETA” time at the checkpoint.
If you come across a runner who is seriously injured please call 000 or 0472 703 920 Event Medical Hotline, if this fails call our operations Number is - 0483 071 844 and follow the directions given.
If the injured runner cannot walk to the closest checkpoint and you are the first person on the scene, please stay with them until help arrives. We will deduct the time that you have used to help this runner from your overall time.
If you are out of reception please tell the next passing runner both of your bib numbers and give details of the injury or sickness to them, ask them to phone the Event Hotline 0483 071 844 when they are in reception. It is crucial that you stay with that injured/sick runner until help arrives. Put on your mandatory gear and stay warm. We will thank you for looking after another injured runner.
The national park may be closed at any time due to extreme weather events such as bush fires, storms, high winds or flash flooding. Continue to your closest checkpoint and we will direct you from here. Evacuation points will be the closest checkpoint. Please listen to event staff and follow directions to the closest CP for your evacuation. It is critical you have enough mobile phone battery so we can contact you. The nearest CP may be behind you.
Use the provided Port-A-Loos or approved toilets at the checkpoints, spray the toilets when you leave with provided disinfectant spray and use the hand sanitiser provided. If you are too far from a checkpoint, please move at least 15m off the track and away from water to relieve yourself. Bury all faeces 20cm below the ground height.
Be aware we are running in a public space and there will be other people using the course on race day. Please be kind and courteous to all other patrons and maintain social distance between others of 1.5m.
Please be mindful that mountain bikes and horses are also on course. Runners must give way to mountain bikes and horses. Horses will usually be seen on the fire trails so please give way for the horses and riders to pass safely. Although it is illegal for trail motorbikes in some areas of the national park, they have been seen riding on the trails along Black Mountain Rd. Please take care if you hear them for your own safety, let others around you know what you have heard and notify us by calling the event hotline printed on your bib and also notify the next checkpoint of your sightings.
Look after each other. Be kind to your fellow runner, remember even though this is a race, Trail Running and Ultra Trail Running can be a dangerous sport and we all need to be aware of our fellow Trail Runners to ensure each other’s safety.
Be careful and only pass when it is safe to pass. The best way to let someone know that you’d like to pass is to say “Hello, How are you”. Have a chat and let them know you’d like to pass. “Passing on the right, when it is next safe for both of us”. Then pass.
When approaching the Kuranda you may come into crowds of tourists, you MUST walk when you are within 5 meters of a tourist. Please ensure they know you are behind them say, “Hello, how gorgeous is Kuranda! I’ve just run 60km!!!!” and let them know you are going to pass on their right when it is safe. They will be blown away by how awesome you are. Only when you have past this tourist may you run again.
Stoney Creek, Smiths Track, are all incredibly steep descents with a slippery creek crossing at the bottom so please be careful as there is no vehicle access to these spots. If you are injured here there may be a delayed response time before help arrives. Please be careful and stay safe in these areas if you fall over you may be waiting a number of hours to be rescued.
In the event of a MEDICAL EMERGENCY dial 0472 703 920 or 000 and the CPTU on-the-Event 0483 071 844
ENTER THESE NUMBER INTO YOUR PHONE NOW!!!!
For all other non-life-threatening inquiries, Race Directors Numbers are printed on the back of your Race Bib Number.
EVENT HOTLINE 0483 071 844
Race Director Shona – 0417 693 281 ENTER INTO YOUR PHONE NOW
Race Co-ordinator -Cora – 0413 120 931 ENTER INTO YOUR PHONE NOW
Queensland Ambulance Services have advised that all runners download the Emergency Plus App onto your phone.
Look this up in your app store under the name of Emergency Plus by National Triple Zero Awareness Work Group.
This will be a direct communication application to access Triple Zero Emergency and will give you GPS Coordinates
Vehicles are moving around on course to keep you safe. You may see them at the intersections. We also have QAS Ambulance 4WD medics roaming the park in 4WDs in case of an emergency. CPTU will also have a 4WD Sweeper vehicle, helping with DNF runners and help sweeping the course.
There are areas of the course that are particularly remote and we WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PICK YOU UP IF YOU ARE INJURED. You will be waiting a long time to be carried out or choppered out. Take extra care through the following areas, Clohesy River Rd in Dinden National Park, and Barron Gorge National Park trails.
It is IMPORTANT THAT WE ONLY USE THE MEDICAL STAFF for MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.
We will have a sweeper vehicle for you if you do not make the cut off for your event. The sweeper vehicle will be advised to take you to the nearest checkpoint where support vehicles are allowed to enter. They are not to take you back to your car. Please make your own way back from the checkpoint after you have DNF.
If you are going to withdraw from the event, and suffer a heart-breaking “Did not Finish” please pull out at the closest checkpoint. If you are unable to make it to the checkpoint, please call the event numbers below and let the management staff know that you will be DNF-ing the CPTU. Otherwise, we will have to come and find you and that could end up being a very embarrassing exercise for yourself as we would have dedicated a search and rescue team just to look for you. You MUST let the Checkpoint Staff, CPTU Event Staff know if you are DNF-ing.
EVENT HOTLINE 0417 693 281
Shona – 0417 693 281 ENTER INTO YOUR PHONE NOW
Cora – 0413 120 931 ENTER INTO YOUR PHONE NOW
Please Leave No Trace. Pick up all rubbish that you drop. It is poor trail running etiquette to drop rubbish. Carry all rubbish that you have in a lockable bag and dispose of it in the rubbish bins at each checkpoint. Avoid single-use plastics and make use of the Drop Bags provided at the Check Points and your water bottles for Red Bull Energy cans.
All Runners are to wear their High Visibility Vest when running/walking on the footpaths From CP5 The Bump Track to 4 Mile Beach and crossing the roads in the residential area. At dusk, everyone MUST wear a head torch and a high visibility vest. For competitors leaving The Bump Track CP5 at sunset (around 6 pm), you MUST wear a head torch and high visibility vest. For runners leaving other checkpoints after 6 pm, all competitors including pacers MUST carry with them ahead torch and back up torch and batteries and high visibility vest ready to wear at sunset.
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 alongside 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 freshwater, 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 Low Tide and will not be affected. However, some runners in the CPTU120 and CPTU80 may be affected by the high tide.
Saturday 2nd September
Low Tide - 16:03 (4:03pm) - 0.59m - Low Tide,
High Tide - 23:16 (10:23pm) - 2.57m - High Tide
Sunday 3rd September
Low Tide - 04:42am (04:42am) - 0.92 - Low Tide
High Tide - 10:44 (10:44am) - 2.26 - High Tide
We have 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 CP5 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.
There will be a period during the event that you will have the option to use the CPTU High Tide Route and divert away from the beach to avoid the high tide along 4 Mile Beach, Port Douglas, 3.5km from the finish line. This will be between 3 am - 5 am, at 1 hour on either side of high tide have the option to 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. The High Tide through the night is a 1.65m tide, there is more than 5 meters clear beach for you to run on in the night, therefore the risk is low, however, the option is there if you feel unsafe running on the beach by yourself at night.
You will also have GPS Trackers on you and will be contacted if we have a crocodile sighting, you will be diverted to the high tide route. Make sure your phone battery will last the entire event.
We have been advised that a 3m distance on 4 Mile Beach is a safe distance between yourself and the water’s edge. This differs from a deep-water safe distance of 5m, as advised in the link below. When around deep water (like the Mowbray River, Lake Placid Kamerunga, or a deep waterhole, lake), please stay more than 5m away from the water’s edge. Please also make your support crew, family and spectator aware of the Crocodile Danger and make sure they are also being Croc Wise.
Please read the Queensland Government Website for more details.
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 the croc country.
Just because you can’t see a crocodile, it doesn’t mean there is not a crocodile 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 campsite 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 the breeding season for crocodiles.
Crocodiles are more active during the warmer months of the wet season.
Mandatory Gear helps us keep you safe when on the CPTU course, for this reason, random spot checks will be conducted over the course for the entrants. A time penalty of 2 hours will be given to a runner found not carrying the full mandatory gear list. See the detailed mandatory gear list for each event on our website.
There are “12 loops” on the CPTU course. Failure to travel through these sections of the course and cross the timing mats will incur an 8 hour time penalty or a disqualification if the runner knew of their mistake and did not return and complete the missed section on the course.
These loops are at for the Clohesy Fig Tree CPTU120, CPTU40 and Smiths Track Loop CPTU120.
Your GPS tracker will show us your movements on course, so it is in your best interest to pay attention of the markers and follow the course markers closely for CPTU120, CPTU80, CPTU40 entrants. We will also request STRAVA Files and GPS Watch data to check the correct route was completed if there is a protest.
Please familiarise yourself with your map or upload the relevant file onto your smartwatches. Please familiarise yourself with the map and follow the signs at this junction. A timing mat will be placed on the circuit and we will be able to tell if runners miss this loop.
Poles may be required by some competitors to aid with descending and ascending some of the steep sections.
We are Co-Hosting a King of the Mountain Style Red Bull Climb from checkpoint 2, Kamerunga to Kuranda on the Smith Track.
If you are on the course after 6 pm and would like to have a pacer with you after Check Point 5, The Bump Track. Your pacer must be carrying a minimum of CPTU20km course mandatory gear, plus a GOOD head torch like an AY-UP Pacers must “Check-In” with Check Point Staff Prior to entering the course. Please note, pacers cannot pick up their race packs at the checkpoint as these MUST be picked up at registration.
Pacers are not allowed to carry anything for the runner. Any pacer found mule-ing for the runner will result in the runner receiving a 2 hour time penalty.
When entering the Speewah, Kamerunga, Kuranda and Port Douglas sections please be extra careful as you will be crossing roads. STAY ON THE FOOTPATHS where possible. Give way to traffic and stop at all traffic lights and wait for green lights to cross major intersections on our course at Kuranda, Kennedy HWY, and Entering Port Douglas as we will have traffic management at the major road crossings. When on the CPTU course you must follow pedestrian road rules.
Be extra careful at these intersections as they may have blind spots and a bike may be moving swiftly through this area especially on Sunday Morning 6am. Pacers are your fresh eyes for these sections!
Look after the safety of your children, be Croc Wise, and obey the signage at waterways. Climbing on fencing and barriers is also prohibited.
Congratulations!! You have just crossed the line in your inaugural Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra! Please come into the recovery area, hydrate first with either a hammer fizz or endurolytes, have some recovery nutrition. If you are not well, make yourself known to our first aid staff and we will look after you.
You have now finished your race at 4 Mile Beach and have the opportunity to celebrate your race completion safely. Please abide by all COVID-19 Safe protocols set in place by Surf Life Saving Club to keep us safe.
Runners are allowed to use the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club (PDSLSC) showers and toilets on Saturday until Sunday morning 0900, when Nippers begins. After 0900 runners can use the public toilets and showers provided.
Make use of the “The Surfies” Bistro next to the PDSLSC, as they make great burgers, chips and serve beer until 3pm, then they will have a food truck for us.
Be respectful of all residents on course. Noise restrictions are as per usual, with minimal noise from 10 pm Saturday evening until 9 am Sunday morning.
Drop bags will be delivered to on Saturday for the CPTU40, CPTU20, All “finish line bags” will be delivered on Saturday to their finish line. CPTU80 and CPTU120 drop bags will be taken to the Finish line PDSLSC. CP6 closes at 0600; expect drop bags to arrive by 1000am Sunday. You must collect your drop bag/finish line bag by 15:00pm Sunday afternoon from PDSLSC.
Stay safe, enjoy the beautiful rain forests, single trails, and views. Look after each other and you will have a fantastic adventure.