Glow Worm Tunnel

Featuring four race distances, there is something for everyone in this unique trail running festival, where runners have the chance to run through a 600m tunnel filled with glow worms!

The Glow Worm Tunnel Marathon course takes runners on an amazing journey along a course that takes in the best sights of Newnes and the Wolgan Valley. The course is the tale of two halves and runners will encounter creek crossings, sections of long single trail, old mine cuttings, ruins and some long forgotten railway easements. The terrain is exciting, challenging and you may find it hard to keep the smile from your face. The first half of the marathon a steep mountain trail and the second half is a railway grade up trail skirting the cliff line and making its way up through the Glow Worm Tunnel and returning to Newnes. The event starts and finishes at the old Newnes Hotel in Newnes at the very end of the Wolgan Valley and from the moment you arrive in “town” you will revel in the serene surroundings. The total ascent for the race is 1902m.

The Glow Worm Tunnel Half Marathon course takes runners along the Wolgan Valley rail Trail up to and through the Glow Worm Tunnel – a 600m tunnel filled with Glow Worms. The journey begins at Newnes, right in front of the old Newnes Hotel and runners encounter creek crossings, sections of long single trail, old mine cuttings, ruins and some long forgotten railway easements along the way. The course is in the shape of a lollypop with the final 10km being a gentle but well deserved downhill run into the finish line. The terrain is exciting, and scenic and you may find it hard to keep the smile from your face.

La Sportiva Mystery Mountain Dash: If you stand on the Hotel balcony and look across at the Wolgan River you will come face to face with Mystery Mountain. Its an imposing sight, rising from the river bed straight up….there is a rough trail to the top…. its rocky, tough and challenging. Its 370m elevation gain… The distance is just over 900m. The Mystery Mountain Challenge is an individual time trial styled challenge, pitting runners against the Mountain… Participants will start at the old railway platform and finish on top of the mountain. The challenge is done two runners at a time…. Its hard… the fastest recorded time is by Andrew Lee in 2015 – just on 13 minutes……. We don’t mind who has a crack – we will cheer you on regardless of your time. Some runners take almost 20 minutes to run that kilometre.

The Ted English Bolt is a 6km Fun Run through the ruins of the old Newnes Industrial area. This run crosses the Wolgan River at the Causeway and heads toward the old Industrial Ruins. Along the way runners pass the old railway platform and the old Newnes Cricket ground. A quick tour past the old ovens and through the old ruined buildings and return to the event hub for a fast finish along the flat.