Robert de Castella Cross Country Running Track
History
After the destruction of the bushfires that swept through Canberra in early 2003, champion runner Robert de Castella was placed on to the ACT Government Bushfire Recovery Taskforce on the 28th of January 2003.
The Taskforce was established to advise the ACT Government, provide leadership for the recovery and act as a bridge between Government agencies and the community.
As a part of this process, Robert de Castella was asked to comment on what he thought would be a good recreational facility to be at Mt Stromlo. Based on his experiences training and competing around the world, Mr Robert de Castella suggested a purpose built grass cross country running track. From these comments, Stromlo Forest Park now boasts a one-of-a-kind recreational facility with a world-class cross country running track. In 2004, Robert de Castella was invited by the ACT Government to provide his professional advice in the design of the cross country running track. In late 2005, construction on the cross country track began.
The concept for the Cross Country Running was to build a dedicated and purpose designed five meter wide grass groomed cross country running circuit suitable for training and hosting a broad range of running competitions, from Primary School Cross Country carnivals to the National and International Cross Country Championships.
The full circuit is 2.5 kilometres and shorter loops of 1, 1.5 and 2 kilometres enable events to offer a wide range distances to meet all needs from a 1 km Primary Schools events to multiple laps combining for 12 kilometres (and longer) National and World Cross Country Championships type events.
The circuit has been designed to provide a mixture of fast flat running combined with some tough challenging hilly sections and sharp turns to test all levels of runners. Trees planting will provide, over time, shade and protection from winds, making the park inviting and attractive.
Distance markers are located every 100 meters around the course. This will be invaluable for runners wanting to do interval type training on a soft smooth surface.
The short one kilometre loop is flat and fast with broad sweeping turns making it ideal for fast training sessions and short races.
Spectators and media are also well looked after with much of the circuit visible from the spectator pavilion and a number of dedicated spectator viewing points located within easy access around the circuit.
The circuit is fully irrigated and a tough hardy grass couch has been selected to enable good wear and support high usage by runners.
