Bannockburn Recreation Reserve is the starting point, with the course traversing cross country terrain around the reserve and the Geelong region’s “scenic tracks.” The Bannockburn 7.5km is a Geelong Cross Country Club handicap race, offering a club-run, get-your-shoes-dirty atmosphere rather than a large-scale production, with Ark Sports Recovery as a sponsor.
You start and finish at the reserve entrance on Bannockburn-Shelford Road, simplifying the day: arrive, run hard, and observe the handicap unfold. The handicap format is the unique aspect, providing a “fair shot at success for every runner,” allowing club members, newcomers, invited entrants, and anyone aged 16+ to compete. Expect a “fun, competitive morning” where both the clock and the chase are significant.