The main range circuit is something I try to do every year in Summer. In 2009/10 I walked it with friends because I had only just taken my ankle out of a cast but the two years previous and one following I ran the circuit, from Charlottes Pass along the fire trail to Kosciusco summit, and then along the foot pad across the ranges, past the lakes and down to the Snowy River, then up the horrible paved steep track to the car park.
It isn't the hardest run, or the longest, but there is something very special about being up in the alpine country, above the treeline and enjoying the glorious views and clean air. I tend to get pretty upbeat as I jog along. In 2010 it was still fairly covered in snow in places along the trail section and I ran, hopped, skipped and jumped through the drifts in nothing but my racing flats with no socks. I wasn't prepared to turn around after driving for two hours earlier in the morning.
In the end I finish the 20k circuit in around three hours, which if you do the math isn't that quick but it certainly does test me and I am generally pretty sore by the time I jump back in the car. I'm still a little way off doing another lap and calling it a marathon. Of all the places to go trail running Kosciusco is definately at the top of my list. I finish it off with a stop off at the bakery for a meat pie and a danish before heading back to ACT.
