Day 4 saw Xmas 5 Day competitors head 35Km west of Armidale to Mount Brown, a new area recently mapped by Eric Andrews.
Having competed on Banalasta on Day 2, there were probably more than a few competitors who faced the prospect of competing on Eric's latest masterpiece with a little trepidation. The area was described in the program as "Open to semi-open paddocks in flat to undulating terrain with areas of scattered granite" - and that is the area that would be used to test the shorter courses competitors. The longer courses had the additional challenge of "Open eucalpyt forest and areas of scrub amongst exposed bare rock and scattered to complex granite outcrops in the steeper areas".
With temperatures expected to reach mid to high 20's later in the morning, it was not known if it was better to start early in the cooler temperatures, but be faced with the longer grass, or to start later and have to contend with the later heat.
The days results which can be found here, again demonstrated the strength and consistency of some of the runners, as they were able to get the better of the conditions and their fellow competitors to again win their courses.
Day 4 splits can be found here. Routegadget junkies will be pleased to see that Day 1 and Day 3 courses are now available. Day 1 here, and Day 3 here.
Tomorrow sees the Xmas 5 Days event conclude with the final day at Dumaresq Dam, 15 minutes to the NW of Armidale.
