Jawbone Peak Half Marathon

Maps are HERE. The 21K takes in both loops.

Starting at Cooks Mill Campground, runners head south along the unsealed Tweed Spur Rd for 1.5km before turning right into the Messmate Track and start their ascent through the tall forests emerging at Sugarloaf Saddle picnic ground (approx. 3.5km) and the first aid station.

Runners leave Sugarloaf Saddle picnic ground and are marshalled onto the Canyon Track which transitions from a walking track to impressive faces of Granite and the first true challenge of the run.  The more challenging Granite sections will be roped for additional stability and allow runners to continue through at a good pace. Once traversing the granite faces has past – runners will find themselves a short run from the summit of Mt Sugarloaf. Mt Sugarloaf has the highest elevation of the event course and offers tremendous views of what’s to come.

Descending from Mt Sugarloaf runners get a glimpse of the granite fin that runs the length of the Cathedral Ranges and which also is home to the Razorback Track. This part of the course is now technical and runners will relish the challenge as they make their was across the Razorback Track.

Runners pass South Jawbone Peak and arrive at the Farmyard Campground and veer right and start a meandering descent to Jawbone Saddle Aid Station (8km elapsed). From here runners take a more gradual descent through the tall forests along St Bernards Track towards Cooks Mill.

Runners head north out of Cooks Mill and follow the Little River Track along the banks of Little River, taking in some rainforest type vegetation before turning left and embarking on the steep climb up Neds Gully Track. As runners gain elevation they will get a sense of the track dropping away on each side into the valley below. At Neds Saddle, just below Neds Peak, runners once again start climbing up the Little Cathedral Track eventually summiting at the crest of the range on the Cathedral Circuit Track. Again views in every direction make for a great reward.

Runners now head south along the crest, on trail which follows the ridgeline and pass Cathedral Peak North and Cathedral Peak. Gradually the trails become more and more technical and after passing the trail to North Jawbone Peak, runners enter the Farmyard Campground and re join Jawbone Creek Track and descend to Jawbone Saddle Aid Station and then onto the finish at Cooks Mill for a well-earned soak in the river.

The Jawbone Peak Half Marathon course is in the shape of a figure 8.