Sunday 3 August 2025

SCHEDULE SUMMARY

All races at Silvan are being conducted in a handicap format that means runners start at different times. Slower runners are starting earlier and faster runners starting later (so all runners finish at the same time!).

Exact start times will be confirmed nearer the race but will look little like this:

6:45am – 10:00am	Race registration open
7:30am – 9:03am	Long course start window
8:19am – 09:35am	Medium course start window
9:27am – 10:20am	Short course start window
10:50am	ALL RUNNERS FINISH!
10:30am onwards	Food, live music, entertainment… CELEBRATIONS!
11:30am onwards	Presentations

HANDICAP START SCHEDULE

We will provide recommended start times for all runners based upon either: a) your race result from other Trail Running Series events or b) your pace at other events and on the road. Runners then line up in the start that matches your ability and off you go.

The Silvan race has been conducted in a handicap format for the last 2 years and has become really popular thanks to the celebratory atmosphere at the finish line.

FAQS ABOUT THE HANDICAP STARTS

I want to run with my friend but they are faster than me – when do I start?
If runners of varying ability want to run together then you should both start according to the speed of the slower runner.

What about congestion, won’t I be passing people all the time?
No. If everyone starts in the wave that matches their speed we’ll all slowly catch each other towards the finish and not before. Also, the course is designed with wider tracks and roads towards the end to allow for larger groups.

I’m feeling slow today, can I start in an earlier wave?
We recommend you start in the wave that matches your results from earlier races… We all feel slow in the mornings and struggle to get going so your best comparison to others was the last race you did. We really recommend people start in the wave that matches their proven ability rather than how they feel.

I’m a faster runner and I think I’m going to catch people. Can I start earlier to be separate from all others?
No. We really recommend that all runners start in the wave that matches your ability. The course is designed so we come together in the closing stages – and that’s where the course is wider and capable of handling more runners at once.

What do I do if I catch someone?
If you catch someone and are legitimately faster, alert them that you want to pass and overtake when safe. (Well done – you’re running well today!)

You can publicly discuss questions about the handicap start process and learn from others on the Trail Running Series Facebook Group HERE. OR Contact us via [email protected] or phone us on (03) 5261 5511.

Event expo

The Event Expo and Start / Finish area at Silvan includes sponsors displays, food / coffee for sale, live music, race commentary, social media boards, presentations and plenty more.

It’s a lovely, welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy whether you are running or not. For a full list of services, see the Event Expo page.

The location

Event centre and race finish line:
Silvan Reservoir Park, Stonyford Road, Silvan (Dandenong Ranges). Event centre will be in the parkland on Stonyford Road, below the dam wall.

Directions to get to Silvan Reservoir Park:
If coming from central Melbourne, drive out on the Eastern Freeway and continue onto Eastlink past Ringwood. Turn left onto Canterbury Rd and follow this through Montrose and then turn right onto York Rd to Mt Evelyn where you turn right onto Monbulk Rd and finally right onto Stonyford Rd at Silvan that leads to the parkland at the base of the reservoir wall.

Distance from the Melbourne CBD:
52km and 1hr 3mins according to Google maps.

We recommend that as many people as possible car pool with friends in order to get to SIlvan because parking is very limited in the start / finish area (and driving fewer cars saves fossil fuels!). Parking options may involve cars being parked up to 1km from the start / finish area (making it a great warm up!)

Competitor number plates

NEW for 2025 is the option to have your race plate posted to you.  Competitors who enter RACE 3 BEFORE 8.00am Monday 14th July 2025 have the option during the entry process to add on postage to have your number plate delivered to you $15 

Number plate identification

All competitors are required to wear their race number plate whilst running in the race. Numbers must be safety pinned to the front of your race top so it is clearly visible from the front.

Your number plate will have a small timing tag stuck to the back of it so we can record your start and finish time. This tag looks just like a strip of foam, so please do not remove it from your number plate otherwise you will not get an official result.

• GOLD number plates denote runners who have entered the entire Series, doing all 3 events in the series.
• RED, GREEN & BLUE number plates will be given to all single race runners… ie, those who are not entered into the entire Series. Red (long course), Green (medium course), Blue (short course).

Number plate collection

Competitors can collect their number plate at the event from the Registration tent on race morning from 7am.

Once you have received your number plate (either via post or collection) you do not need to ‘report in’ or register at the event venue on race morning, just warm up, arrive at the start line ready to race!

NO Headphones!

For the handicap system to work, and for the safety of all runners so you can communicate with one another, we ask that you do not wear headphones during the event (it also means you can hear the wilderness around you!)