‘The Cut’ has to be experienced to fully appreciate its unique format, social setting and testing run. The event’s reputation has quickly grown; and despite the cut-throat nature of the run, the fun on and around the event make it the best day on the run calendar. Locked in is this year’s date; Saturday, October 26, 2024. ‘The Cut Junior’ event returns and a prize for the last standing female. Entries open 6pm July 2024 - so the only question remaining is; ‘how long can YOU survive?!‘
But for the uninitiated; just what is ‘The Cut’?
Well for let’s start with what it’s not! It’s not a last runner standing exactly. It’s not even an Ultra - well at least not for everyone… there’s no knowing exactly kilometres you’ll be running; although we do guarantee it will be somewhere between 10.5k and, on this occasionn no more than 50k… what’s 40k give or take between friends?!
We are introducing a Junior version with 500m laps, cuts to begin at 2km and a maximum of 5km to be run. The juniors will get their own elimination prize and the event will be staged during the long break of the main event!
- The BASICS -
Who can run?
Anyone with a heartbeat and a pair of running shoes (or party shoes) should read on! The minimum distance is 10.5km and the maximum distance is 50km. As long as you can run 1.5km in less than 15minutes you'll be fine. If you can't? You'll get Cut.
For the main event; the minimum age is now 12yrs and the maximum distance for athletes under 15 year olds is 21km (regardless of finishing position on that lap).
For The Cut Junior; the minimum age is 7yrs with a maximum age of 16yrs. Junior athletes CANNOT run in both events.
How does it work?
MAIN EVENT: The event takes place over a 1.5km course. The race stops at the end of every lap and we wait for everyone to cross the finish line. There is a maximum time of 15mins for a lap. Once everyone is across the finish, we make any Cuts, wait 20 seconds, line up again, and restart the race. There will be two extended breaks during the day for refueling (and re-setting strategy)! Competitors will complete no less than 10.5km and no more than 50km.
JUNIOR EVENT: This event takes place over a 500m course. The race stops at the end of every lap and we wait for everyone to cross the finish line. There is a maximum time of 4mins for a lap. Once everyone is across the finish, we make any Cuts, wait 20 seconds, line up again, and restart the race. Competitors will complete no less than 2km and no more than 5km. The event will be conducted mid-afternoon in the extended break of the main event.
So - what's the Cut?
It's got nothing to do with scissors and everything to do with stopping the running part of the day and starting the partying! Once you're Cut; your day of running is finished - you collect your finisher's prize, your FREE Mountain Goat Beer (or soft alternative) and then kick back and enjoy the day. Full details are in the Rules of Engagement.
That evening - there’s a chance for you to lace up again, for the new Halloween Hustle; a fun new twilight and night trail run event aimed at all age and abilities in the community. Best part is, they will be arriving to cheer the end of The Cut - we’ll make you famous!!
How do runners get Cut?
No one will get Cut until the end of the 7th lap (10.5km). Depending on how many runners enter the event, we will then Cut the last few runners across the line at the end of each subsequent lap, decreasing the number of runners who start the next lap. This will continue until we have a few lucky (… debatable) runners fighting it out on the final HOT lap!
The last lap will be only be 500m and so you’ll need both staying power and speed if you’re to survive ‘The Cut’ and take home the top prize!
The Cut will be managed with the help of some cyclists who will be visible on course and who will sit behind the last non-Cut runner...fall behind the bike and you're in line for the Cut! Runners can also voluntarily withdraw at the end of any lap - effectively Cutting yourself!
The process will be similar for ‘The Cut Junior’ - with all runners safe until cutting commences on Lap 4, with the field whittled down to only 5 runners remain for the final ‘HOT LAP’
How do we know how many people will be Cut each lap?
We'll work out a Cut Schedule prior to event day based on registrations and you'll be told at the beginning of each lap how many runners will be getting Cut.
What happens when nature calls?
There will be refreshment breaks at the end of Lap 11 (at 16.5km) and at the end of Lap 23 (34.5km). This is your window to visit the toilet, restock on hydration or fuels and get ready to go again. Alternatively, you can run really fast on a given lap, and try and get your business done before we make our Cuts...up to you!
The length of the breaks is to be advised on the day, but shall be a minimum of 20minutes. Breaks may be added in to ensure the HOT LAP is run as close to the scheduled time of 5.30pm as possible.
Who wins?
The ultimate winner will be the runner first across the finish line at the end of lap 34 - the 500m HOT lap in front of the cheering crowd! Ditt that for The Cut Junior.
For the first time in 2023, there will be a prize for the last remaining female in The Cut and a separate event for juniors.
And the plan is there will be quite a crowd - as mentioned, we have another event on the SAME DAY - or should I say night!! The Halloween Hustle will be staged for the first time that evening! Click here for more details on that - you can even do both!
What about teams?
There will be a prize for the winning team/club/group. The more people in your group, the better the chance you'll have - the winning team will be the team with the most amount of laps completed between the entire group.
And if I win a lap?
We'll give you a clap as you cross the finish line. But, if you win multiple laps, like heaps and heaps of laps, and end up winning the most individual laps, you'll also be taking home a special prize...even if you get Cut before the end of the day.
