| Course | Climb | Descent | Minimum Age |
| 50km | 1400m | 2000m | 18yo @ 23rd June 2024 |
| 21km | 700m | 760m | 15yo @23rd June 2024 |
| 10km | 330m | 470m | 12yo @ 23rd June 2024 |
Course Markers/Maps
All 3 courses will be clearly visible and markers will be placed at frequent intervals along the course.
As the Run utilises private land we’re respecting landowner privacy by not publishing maps or providing GPX route files.
Course Details:
50km Course Detail – Start time 7 am – Bus departs @ 6am
Course closes at 4pm, so you have 9 hours to complete the course at at an average pace of 5.5km/h
The organising committee of the Untamed Border Run will always endeavour to provide up to date accurate information to competitors, spectators, property owners and all involved in this great event. We want all participants to have a fantastic experience, enjoy the weekend and view some seldom seen landscapes within Southern Downs & Tenterfield areas.
The 50km event has access to 17 private properties that don’t normally open their gates to the public. This gift and opportunity is greatly appreciated, and we would like to whole heartly acknowledge the generosity of the owner’s gesture. This information will give you an overall picture of the event and an accurate description of the various terrains encountered. This will assist in preparation towards your choice of shoes, clothing and running strategies.
The course will be regularly and clearly marked and have officials in position at vital directional change points.
The 50km course starts in an area with extremely limited vehicle parking. For this reason, all competitors will be bused from Killarney Showgrounds to the start. The coaches will depart the Registration Hub at 6.00 am on Saturday morning arriving at the start line at 6.30am. This allows 30 minutes for a final race briefing, time for your warm-up as well as to get to the toilet etc. There is a short course option at the 30km mark.
The 50km course has 5km distance markers. These markers indicate how far you have run! However, the final 7km will be marked with distance still to run!
The event starts on a bitumen road with a slight decline and follows it for just under 1km when runners enter the first of the private properties. The first 300m is in open farmland and then follows an uphill cleared track approximately 3 metres wide for a further 1km where you reach the highest elevation on the course at just over 1100 metres above sea level. At this height above sea level the mountain air is clean, cool and refreshing and you enjoy it for the next 10km.
Runners progress through 10 private properties within Qld following the Qld/NSW border. This section is maintained by the Darling Downs Moreton Rabbit Board and is accessible for the sweep vehicle. This track is of a red dirt loam construction and can be slippery if wet.
The entire first 14km of the event runs either in, or directly next to, ancient Gondwana world heritage rainforest. A 800m deviation from the fence line across a paddock affords runners a spectacular view of one of NSW’s iconic mountains.
At 12.5km runners cross into NSW and follow a downhill gravel track to the first of 3 aid stations at 14 km. After leaving the aid station the next 2km is on a formed gravel road that generally descends. The surface then turns to bitumen for 3 km. There is only 4km of bitumen on the entire course!
At 18.8km a left turn off the bitumen presents an uphill formed gravel/deco road. This climb is approximately 150 vertical metres over 1.2km. A decent slog! Runners will feel like they are on top of the world as they continue on a gravel road for 3.2km before an out and back slashed, grassy track with a timing pod at the turnaround. Total distance to this timing pod is 24.4km.
Back on formed gravel a 1.5 km steepish descent precedes a right-hand turn onto private property. After a further 2 km of farmland tracks, followed by a creek crossing, runners will arrive at the 29.8km point and the 2nd Aid Station. This is also the start of the 21km event. Both courses utilise the same route to the finish line.
Note: if a runner does not arrive at the 29.8km point/2nd Aid station by 12.30pm they will be short coursed. Please read below the protocol for Short Coursing.
From the 2nd Aid station runners will enjoy some reprieve on a flat, slashed route before passing numerous dams and ponds. This is a peaceful and tranquil environment but be mindful of foot placement as there are uneven sections. Bird life could be prolific!
The next 10km is challenging with multiple short, sharp inclines, interspersed by pockets of idyllic rainforest. At 40km runners start the biggest climb on the course consisting of a 200 vertical metre climb, however just before the “big hurt” is the 3rd and final aid station at 41.5km
After departing the aid station a 100m long climb looms. It is a very steep climb, and it’s likely that no-one will run this section. Once on the tabletop there is a flat 300m section, the highest point in the last 21km of the 50km course. The descent off the tabletop mountain is approximately 100m and is also very steep. Expect rocky, loose, slippery conditions. Ascend and descend with caution!
Runners will loop back to the 3rd aid station and with only 7.4km left to run will enjoy some amazing views towards the finish line in Killarney. Overall, the descent from this point is 260 vertical metres and is 90% downhill.
The final 7km will be marked with distance still to run! There is one short, sharp, grassy uphill and a final 1km long grind at 4% before entering farmland.
From 49.1km the course runs parallel with a road. Runners MUST run on the grass verge. Failing to do so will incur immediate disqualification. Queensland Police have not issued a permit to use the road so the use of it could jeopardise future events.
Once entering the Showgrounds runners will do a loop around the arena which incorporates a sneaky twist and turn through the cattle yards.
Hopefully your friends and family will be at the finish line to celebrate with You!
Short Course: If a Runner is short coursed the Organisers will endeavour to move the Runner forward on the course or the Runner may choose to withdraw from the event and be transported back to the Killarney Showgrounds. If a runner wishes to be moved forward on the course, please be aware that the organisers can’t guarantee immediate transport. Runners should have a warm outer layer of clothing in their bag at the 2nd Aid Station in case they have to wait for some time for transport. If moved forward on the course Runners will be able to enjoy the last 4km of the course and cross the finish line.
Hill Profile
21km Course Detail – Start time 9:00am
Course closes at 4pm.
The organising committee of the Untamed Border Run will always endeavour to provide up to date accurate information to competitors, spectators, property owners and all involved in this great event. We want all participants to have a fantastic experience, enjoy the weekend and view some seldom seen landscapes within Southern Downs & Tenterfield areas.
The 21km event has access to 4 private properties that don’t normally open their gates to the public. This gift and opportunity is greatly appreciated, and we would like to whole heartly acknowledge the generosity of the owner’s gesture. This information will give you an overall picture of the event and an accurate description of the various terrains encountered. This will assist in preparation towards your choice of shoes, clothing and running strategies.
The course will be regularly and clearly marked and have officials in position at vital directional change points.
The 21km starts at an undisclosed location 12mins from Killarney. Directions to the start will be provided in an email in the week prior to the event. We do however encourage Runners to pay for a ticket on the bus from the Killarney Showgrounds to avoid congestion at the start. Runners can “edit” their entry on Trybooking to purchase a Bus ticket.
The start of the 21km course is also the 29.8km mark of the 50km course. Whilst waiting to start your event we encourage you to cheer on the 50km runners as they pass by. Both courses utilise the same route to the finish line.
The first 1.5km of the 21km course is on flat, slashed farmland before it heads into some small hills. It is a peaceful and tranquil environment and runners pass numerous dams and ponds. Be mindful of foot placement through this area as there are uneven sections.
The next 10km is challenging with multiple short, sharp inclines, interspersed by pockets of idyllic rainforest. At 10.2km runners start the biggest climb on the course consisting of a 200 vertical metre climb, however just before the “big hurt” is the only aid station on the 21km course.
After departing the aid station, a 100m long climb looms. It is a very steep climb, and it’s likely that no-one will run this section. Once on the tabletop there is a flat 300m section, the highest point in the 21km course. The descent off the tabletop mountain is approximately 100m and is also very steep. Expect rocky, loose, slippery conditions. Ascend and descend with caution!
With 7.4km left to run, you’ll enjoy some amazing views towards the finish line in Killarney. Overall, the descent from this point is 260 vertical metres and is 90% downhill.
The final 7km will be marked with distance still to run! There is one short, sharp, grassy uphill and a final 1km long grind at 4% before entering farmland.
From 19.2km the course runs parallel with a road. Runners MUST run on the grass verge. Failing to do so will incur immediate disqualification.
Once entering the Showgrounds runners will do a loop around the arena which incorporates a sneaky twist and turn through the cattle yards.
Hopefully your friends and family will be at the finish line to celebrate with you!
Hill Profile
10km Course Detail – Start time 10:00am
Course closes at 4pm.
The organising committee of the Untamed Border Run will always endeavour to provide up to date accurate information to competitors, spectators, property owners and all involved in this great event. We want all participants to have a fantastic experience, enjoy the weekend and view some seldom seen landscapes within Southern Downs & Tenterfield areas.
The 10km event has access to 3 private properties that don’t normally open their gates to the public. This gift and opportunity are greatly appreciated, and we would like to whole heartly acknowledge the generosity of the owner’s gesture. This information will give you an overall picture of the event and an accurate description of the various terrains encountered. This will assist in preparation towards your choice of shoes, clothing and running strategies.
The course will be regularly and clearly marked and have officials in position at vital directional change points.
The 10km starts at an undisclosed location 12mins from Killarney. Directions to the start will be provided in an email in the week prior to the event. We do however encourage Runners to pay for a ticket on the bus from the Killarney Showgrounds to avoid congestion at the start. Runners can “edit” their entry on Trybooking to purchase a Bus ticket.
The start of the 10km course is in the same location as the 21km course which is also the 29.8km mark of the 50km course. Whilst waiting to start your event we encourage you to cheer on any runners as they pass by.
The first 1km of the 10km course is on flat, slashed farmland before it heads into some small hills. Be mindful of foot placement through this area as there are uneven surfaces.
For a short distance you will run alongside the 50 & 21km runners before they turn off to climb some hills. The 21 and 50 km runners will depart from the 10km course 4 times in the first 3 km. Follow the 10km signs (NOT RUNNERS) to run past numerous dams and ponds and look out for birds including ducks, swan and plovers. It is idyllic!
The next 2km is challenging with multiple short, sharp inclines, interspersed by pockets of glorious rainforest. At this point the 10km course diverts away from the 21 & 50km courses. A short uphill and runners will see an Aid Station. At this point the course passes over the NSW/Qld border back into Qld.
With only 7.4km left runners will enjoy some amazing views towards the finish line in Killarney. Overall, the descent from this point is 260 vertical metres and is 90% downhill.
The final 7km will be marked with distance still to run! There is one short, sharp, grassy uphill and a final 1km long grind at 4% before entering farmland.
From 8.6km the course runs parallel with a road. Runners MUST run on the grass verge. Failing to do so will incur immediate disqualification.
Once entering the Showgrounds runners will do a loop around the arena which incorporates a sneaky twist and turn through the cattle yards.
Hopefully your friends and family will be at the finish line to celebrate with you!
Hill Profile
With exclusive access to 12 private properties, the Untamed Border Run is an event not to missed. On a perfect winters day 50km runners may be rewarded with a view to Brisbane over 120km away. All 3 courses cross between NSW and QLD on farm and forestry tracks. Emerging from temperate rainforest into glorious farmland, runners will be blown away by the beauty of the area. This is not an easy run and competitors may well choose to walk at times, but the views from the mountains to the lowlands will ease the pain of climbing some big hills.
The Untamed Border Run will be challenging but well worth the effort.
Untamed Border Events 