Leg 9- 13km Run

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Access to the transition compound for the final leg is from the end of Hartigan St, Garran. The actual start is in the grassy area between Hindmarsh Dr and Curlewis St. Proceed upwards on the narrow walking trail parallel to Rusden St, turning right at the large drain, over the horse logs, then straight along the track heading to the right on the other side of the gate, above Hindmarsh Dr.

Take the first turnoff to the left, through a gate onto a lesser trail rising to a short saddle, then up again to Davidson Trig. Continuing towards Red Hill, the track descends, passing through a missing gate before proceeding straight through a 6-way intersection in the main saddle and heading once again stiffly uphill. The track flattens at the crest of the hill, veering left at a fork just before "Le Carousel" restaurant. Continue past the restaurant, climbing over the next gate on your right to join the road (Red Hill Dr) along the top.

Cross the road near the reservoir, and enter the scenic lookout bay on your right. Stretched before you are the last sweeping views of North and South Canberra, overlooking Parliament House. There will be an aid station and a number checkpoint here. Coming out of the lookout, turn right past a gate onto a dirt track heading to the actual summit of Red Hill. Take the left-hand option at the fork in this track, which then starts to descend, and crosses over Red Hill Dr and Gowrie Dr (the road to the Federal Golf Course).

Continue straight on, through the gate onto the track on the other side of Gowrie Dr. Go straight through the next intersection before the large reservoirs, which you keep to your right. Ignore the side-tracks around these reservoirs. Veer left at the fork after the next large reservoir, then right at the next fork as you head downhill. Stay on this main track (don't veer towards the final reservoir, which is on your left). You now head quite steeply downhill, approaching the rear of Deakin Offices (a large building with seemingly no windows). At the base of this descent, turn to the left (ie do not go through the first gate). As this track loops to the right, go through the gate, and left into the carpark to the right of the offices. Follow the road towards Kent St, turning left onto the concrete footpath before you reach Kent St, and follow this footpath in front of the offices.

Cross over Kent St at the intersection with Carruthers St, to follow the dirt footpath on the left side of Carruthers St. Follow Carruthers St through both sets of traffic lights across Yarra Glen. After the bridge, turn with the cycle path to the left at the "Woden" sign, then again left to loop back under Carruthers St, beside the storm water channel. Another aid station will be here, with about 7 kms of smooth cycle paths to the finish. This cycle path leads you around behind Curtin, and under McCulloch St (following the sign for "North Canberra"). North Curtin District Playing Fields appear to your left. Follow the next "North Canberra" sign, looping to the right over the storm water channel and under Cotter Rd.

Heading towards Telstra Tower once more, pass some horse paddocks and a small dam on your left, to come alongside Lady Denman Dr on your right. At the T-junction in the cycle path, follow the "City" sign to the right, joining the "Self-Transcendence Long Course Triathlon" run course through the tunnel under Lady Denman Dr and up a long incline to the pine trees. There will be an aid station at the crossing of Dunrossil Dr, then enjoy the tranquillity of Westbourne Woods. The final little rise behind the Yarralumla Nursery brings you out at Banks St, at which point there is less than 1 kilometre to go! Cross Alexandrina Dr near the AIS Rowing Shed, then turn left onto Brown St, which immediately becomes Alexandrina Dr. Stay to the left of the road, running past the YMCA Sailing Club and CGGS Aquatic Centre, turning sharp left into the carpark adjacent to the CGGS Aquatic Centre, and left again onto the grass into the short finish chute. Enjoy a shower, refreshments and relax until the awards ceremony at 8 pm.

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