Walking Mount Panorama is hard enough for some people, let alone walking it in one hour.
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Well the Bathurst community have a chance to test themselves in a new running event – Mount Panorama Punish – on November 26.
Runners will have a chance to take on the iconic motor racing circuit in what is being described as “one hot lap”, as they will have one hour to get around Mount Panorama.
Event co-organiser Jennifer Arnold said she wants to make the event an annual occurrence.
“We are looking for it to be an annual event. It’s very exciting that it is happening this first year and there’s already excitement for years to come,” she said.
“The hills are going to be a punish, that’s for sure. There’s 174 metres of elevation gain in just over three kilometres of the track. That’ll be the first challenge, making it up to McPhillamy Park – the King and Queen of the Mountain point.
“The next challenge is on the quads, on the way down the Esses and Conrod Straight. That’ll really hurt and it’ll hurt the whole way round.”
Strict cut-off times will be in operation, at three kilometres (30 minutes, at McPhillamy Park), five kilometres (45 minutes) and the finish (one hour, at 6.2 kilometres).
For runners to finish in one hour, an average pace of 9.4 kilometres an hour is required.
While everyone is welcome to participate and enter, training is recommended for runners wanting to finish within the strict cut-off time.
“It’s not just for elite athletes but for runners to challenge themselves and to put in a bit of training between now and November,” Ms Arnold said.
“It won’t be for people who walk the mount. They’re not likely to make the cut-off time.
“Anyone who can complete the mount in an hour’s walking pace, at the moment, with a bit of training between here and November should have no troubles at all.
“Unfortunately we do have to have strict cut-off times because there is a motor racing event on straight after our event.”
Runners who do not make the cut-off time will be picked up, by a bus, and returned to the starting line.
Co-organiser Stephen Jackson said he would like to get close to 1000 entrants for the event and entries are currently on track to reach that target.
“It’s been fairly low-key, with it being the first time,” he said.
Runners interested in signing up should visit the Facebook page – Mount Panorama Punish – or the website panoramapunish.com.
Entry costs $25 for an adult and $15 for a child and proceeds made on the day will be donated to healthcare organisation Marathon Health.
