Friday Night SPRINT

Friday 6th Feb 2026 - Sunset

NOTE: Sunset is at about 9:05pm. Head or hand torches are essential.

Planner

Darrell Thomson

Controller

Myles Thayer

Map

Mount Ross Station

Mount Ross Station was first mapped by Michael Wood, Mapsport Services in 1997. It was first used for the 1998 National Championships.
It has been used many times in the intervening period but not significantly updated. There is more scrubby vegetation (especially matagouri) than is shown on the map and leg protection is recommended.

Scale 1:7,500
Contour interval 5m.
North Lines are 250m apart.

TERRAIN

Fast, open rocky gully/spur terrain with goldmining features and historic ruins.
Short grass paddocks, with some spear grass on the rocky outcrops and matagouri and briar rose in the gullies. No thistles in the paddocks this year, but plenty of hook grass that leave very tricky seeds all over your socks and shoes. Wear your oldest socks and offload the seeds prior to getting into your vehicle.

EVENT STYLE

3 courses; a longer and a shorter Red/Orange, and an Orangey/Yellow all involving loops to and from a common control.
Course 1 RO Long - 4.0km.
Course 2 RO Short - 2.3km.
Course 3 O/Y Short - 2.0km.
Yellow or White competitors can either do the shortest course together in pairs, or together with a more experienced helper / shadow, if their helper isn’t competing or has done their own course.
SI Air; punching start

TIMING

Short Orangey/Yellow course: Start Window – 9:30pm to 10:00pm.

Short Red/Orange course: Start Window – 10:00pm to 10:20pm.

Long Red/Orange course: Start Window – 10:00 to 10:30pm.

We will be starting up to six people simultaneously with one minute start intervals so show up at the beginning of the start window and take advantage of any residual daylight.

NOTE: Sunset is at about 9:05pm. Head or hand torches are essential.

Competitors’ information

NOTE: Sunset is at about 9:05pm. Head or hand torches are essential.

There will be no loose control descriptions for courses 1 & 2 as there are different versions of the same course starting simultaneously. Control descriptions will be on the face of the map. Loose text control descriptions will be available for course 3 if you require that.

No dogs (not even in cars), smoking or barbecues.
Whistles and torches must be carried. There is no water on the courses (carry your own).
The Start is about 500m (a ten-minute walk - that's being generous) from the caravan/event centre along the road fence inside the paddock.
Contactless SI Air units can be used
Safety bearing is north to Harcus Rd and then west to the event centre. Report to the caravan.
Course closure is 11:30 pm.

DIRECTIONS

Head toward Middlemarch along SH87. At Sutton (about 6.8km south of Middlemarch) turn onto Mt Ross Rd (some apps, maps and signs call this Sutton-Mt Ross Rd).
This turnoff is on a bend so be careful. The event is signposted from this point.

Be aware that Mt Ross Rd has a right angle turn just 350m after leaving SH87.

After turning right off SH87, turn right again after 350m to stay on the Mt Ross Rd. Proceed over the Taieri River until you come to a junction. Proceed straight ahead onto Harcus Rd. The parking is on the right about 850m further on.
Park as directed.

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