Grainger Legal 21.1 km (Half Marathon)
MALDON TO CASTLEMAINE
An exciting half marathon through some of Central Victoria’s finest countryside. From dense woodland to open paddocks following the route of the historic Goldfields Steam Train on well made fire trails and paths.
The course sets off from Maldon station1 and heads out along Hornsby Street2, crossing the Bendigo-Maldon road and making its way down to the edge of the Muckleford Nature Reserve and the start of the Railway Track. Runners turn right and continue on the Tatt Town track3 as the course climbs gently — through dense woodland. A left hand turn into Smiths Reef Track4 precedes a short sharp pinch followed by a welcome 4 km descent, via the Gowar Track5 and finally joining the Railway Track6 all the way to the midway point at Muckleford Station7 (the lowest elevation of the course at 276m with toilets & water available). Now the course runs through delightful open paddocks with expansive views, the railway line, never far out of site, and begins to gently climb again through more open woodland. A switch back takes runners around a deep gully with views of the Sawmill Road rail bridge8, the start of the last section of the course and the last significant climb.
As runners hit the 17 km mark it’s pretty much downhill all the way to Castlemaine. Crossing the Pyrenees highway9 and running on an elevated embankment10 signifies the end of the official rail trail. Campbells Creek is crossed, with the route then dropping runners under the Elizabeth Street bridge11 to continue along the pretty Campbells Creek path which snakes its merry way smartly back to the Camp Reserve12.
Download GPX File
Castlemaine Flyer 10 km Run
WALMER FOREST LOOP
A challenging 10 km run that follows 2 creeks at either end of its course. A steady climb out of Castlemaine up in the pretty Walmer Forest before looping back and joining the 21km
route into town.
Starting at Camp Reserve1, you’ll head out along historic Gingell street2 with Barkers Creek to your right. Crossing Walker Street, you’ll run along a grand oak lined lane to the right of the commonly known Sunken Oval 3 (1km). and enter the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens crossing via the iron bridge that crosses Barkers Creek.
A sharp left and ensure you follow instructions and cross the second (white) bridge on your left (1.2km). You have now entered the local flora and fauna reserve 4, the home of the Eltham Copper butterfly. Carefully follow the uneven bush track up a steep pinch bearing left. Please pay attention to the road marshals at the end of this track (1.6km) as you exit along Mary Street winding up and over a ridge 5.
Cross the intersection — the Castlemaine Pony Club will be on your right as you continue to climb along the Muckleford-Castlemaine Road to connect with Centre Track on your left at the 3.5km mark6. This 1.6km bush track will connect you to the Castlemaine — Maldon track, which runs alongside the historical Goldfields Railway. You may see a steam train or some of the participants on the Half Marathon event. Well done, you are past the highest point of the run.
Crossing the railway7, you turn left and start heading downhill into town. This part of the track is well defined and you only have two marshalled road crossings to go. The first is just before the railway bridge8 at the 7km mark. Follow the pathway taking note at the 8km mark you will go under the bridge (the lowest point of the course) and turn right, to pick up the last section of your journey.
This pathway will take you along Campbells Creek all the way around to Camp Reserve where you cross Forest Street for your dash to the end.
Castlemaine Toyota 5 km Run / Walk
BOTANICAL GARDENS RETURN*
A fast and almost flat 5 km out and back run that takes in Castlemaine’s historic botanical gardens.
This flat short course starts at Camp Reserve and heads 1km along the pretty Gingell Street pathway to the famous Castlemaine Botanical gardens, with Barkers Creek1 never far out of sight.
The run crosses Walker Street, you’ll see our local hospital2 up on the hill to your left as you travel along an oak lined land before turning right and crossing Barkers Creek for the first time.
Upon entering the gardens at about 2 km you will turn a sharp left then continue clockwise around the perimeter of the gardens to take in highlights such as the ‘tree of the year 2021’, a 159-year-old English oak that grows next to the children’s playground. You will also go past the old foundry3 on your left as you begin to head south again. At the 3 k mark you will have run under the Wisteria Arbour and will head to your right again to complete a lap of Lake Johanna4.
Leaving the park (3.8km), you will see the old woollen mill5, (The Mill) which has now been repurposed as a small business, foodies and art precedent. Now just back across Walker street and 1km down Gingell, to go back to Camp reserve. Well done.
*course start & finish subject to change
Grainger Legal 21.1 km (Half Marathon)
MALDON TO CASTLEMAINE
An exciting half marathon through some of Central Victoria’s finest countryside. From dense woodland to open paddocks following the route of the historic Goldfields Steam Train on well made fire trails and paths.
The course sets off from Maldon station1 and heads out along Hornsby Street2, crossing the Bendigo-Maldon road and making its way down to the edge of the Muckleford Nature Reserve and the start of the Railway Track. Runners turn right and continue on the Tatt Town track3 as the course climbs gently — through dense woodland. A left hand turn into Smiths Reef Track4 precedes a short sharp pinch followed by a welcome 4 km descent, via the Gowar Track5 and finally joining the Railway Track6 all the way to the midway point at Muckleford Station7 (the lowest elevation of the course at 276m with toilets & water available). Now the course runs through delightful open paddocks with expansive views, the railway line, never far out of site, and begins to gently climb again through more open woodland. A switch back takes runners around a deep gully with views of the Sawmill Road rail bridge8, the start of the last section of the course and the last significant climb.
As runners hit the 17 km mark it’s pretty much downhill all the way to Castlemaine. Crossing the Pyrenees highway9 and running on an elevated embankment10 signifies the end of the official rail trail. Campbells Creek is crossed, with the route then dropping runners under the Elizabeth Street bridge11 to continue along the pretty Campbells Creek path which snakes its merry way smartly back to the Camp Reserve12.
Download GPX File
Castlemaine Flyer 10 km Run
WALMER FOREST LOOP
A challenging 10 km run that follows 2 creeks at either end of its course. A steady climb out of Castlemaine up in the pretty Walmer Forest before looping back and joining the 21km
route into town.
Starting at Camp Reserve1, you’ll head out along historic Gingell street2 with Barkers Creek to your right. Crossing Walker Street, you’ll run along a grand oak lined lane to the right of the commonly known Sunken Oval 3 (1km). and enter the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens crossing via the iron bridge that crosses Barkers Creek.
A sharp left and ensure you follow instructions and cross the second (white) bridge on your left (1.2km). You have now entered the local flora and fauna reserve 4, the home of the Eltham Copper butterfly. Carefully follow the uneven bush track up a steep pinch bearing left. Please pay attention to the road marshals at the end of this track (1.6km) as you exit along Mary Street winding up and over a ridge 5.
Cross the intersection — the Castlemaine Pony Club will be on your right as you continue to climb along the Muckleford-Castlemaine Road to connect with Centre Track on your left at the 3.5km mark6. This 1.6km bush track will connect you to the Castlemaine — Maldon track, which runs alongside the historical Goldfields Railway. You may see a steam train or some of the participants on the Half Marathon event. Well done, you are past the highest point of the run.
Crossing the railway7, you turn left and start heading downhill into town. This part of the track is well defined and you only have two marshalled road crossings to go. The first is just before the railway bridge8 at the 7km mark. Follow the pathway taking note at the 8km mark you will go under the bridge (the lowest point of the course) and turn right, to pick up the last section of your journey.
This pathway will take you along Campbells Creek all the way around to Camp Reserve where you cross Forest Street for your dash to the end.
Castlemaine Toyota 5 km Run / Walk
BOTANICAL GARDENS RETURN*
A fast and almost flat 5 km out and back run that takes in Castlemaine’s historic botanical gardens.
This flat short course starts at Camp Reserve and heads 1km along the pretty Gingell Street pathway to the famous Castlemaine Botanical gardens, with Barkers Creek1 never far out of sight.
The run crosses Walker Street, you’ll see our local hospital2 up on the hill to your left as you travel along an oak lined land before turning right and crossing Barkers Creek for the first time.
Upon entering the gardens at about 2 km you will turn a sharp left then continue clockwise around the perimeter of the gardens to take in highlights such as the ‘tree of the year 2021’, a 159-year-old English oak that grows next to the children’s playground. You will also go past the old foundry3 on your left as you begin to head south again. At the 3 k mark you will have run under the Wisteria Arbour and will head to your right again to complete a lap of Lake Johanna4.
Leaving the park (3.8km), you will see the old woollen mill5, (The Mill) which has now been repurposed as a small business, foodies and art precedent. Now just back across Walker street and 1km down Gingell, to go back to Camp reserve. Well done.
*course start & finish subject to change
