APPLICATIONS for the Peaks and Trails Run opened last week and the organisers are thrilled the event finally looks like returning in August after being cancelled twice due to COVID lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

Peaks and Trails will be a massive weekend of foot racing starting and finishing in Dunkeld, with a range of possibilities offered, including the ‘warm-up’ Mud-Dadjug Challenge (previously the Mt Abrupt Challenge) 6.2-kilometre Trail Run on Saturday at midday (with a staggered start).

On Sunday there will be a 50km ultra-marathon (from 7am), a 20km trail run (from 8:30am), a 13.5km trail run (from 9:30pm), a 6.4km trail run (from 8:45am) and 1km Kids Dash (to be confirmed).

Participants must be at least 18 years of age to compete in the 50km race, and 16 years for the 20km and 13.5km.

Peaks and Trails committee organiser, Penny Fraser said the event had quite a few changes, in part to reflect the recent opening of the Grampians Peaks Trail, aboriginal naming and also the number of runs reduced from five to four.

“All (Sunday) tracks have changed,” she said.

They still involve going on some private property …the 6.4 is just a flat out and back, it will be a bit muddy depending on the weather.

“The 13.5 is up Mt Sturgeon, the 20km involves Piccaninny and Mt Sturgeon, and the 50km involves Mt Sturgeon, Piccaninny, Mt Abrupt and Signal Peak.”

The Mud-Dadjug Challenge will climb about 430 metres, with the race starting and finishing at the car park.

Runners will make their way up the mountain for 3.1kms before retracing their steps back down.

A pre-race dinner will be held at Stirling Place, Stirling Street Dunkeld from 6pm on Saturday August 6.

There is a range of prizemoney for the races from $500 to the first runners (male and female) in the 50km, to $100 (male and female) for the Mud-Dadjug Challenge.

Registrations are limited, so get in early - total entries for the Sunday program will be limited to approximately 350 runners and registrations are not accepted on the day.

Spectators are welcome to come and cheer on the participants and enjoy the beautiful surroundings at the southern end of the Grampians.

Current records were both set in 2019 for the 50kmwith Mathieu Doré winning in 4:22:01 and Kellie Emmerson with a time of 4:49:27.

The start/finish line for all Sunday races will be located on the corner of Parker Street (main street) & Dunlop Street, Dunkeld beside the Parker Street Project at the Royal Mail Hotel.

Peaks and Trails will be held on August 6 and 7 and more information including mandatory gear, accommodation and cancellation can be found at peaksandtrails.com.au and updates will be posted on the Facebook and Instagram sites.