Tailwind Nutrition general information
Tailwind is designed to satisfy the three key needs for runners in one simple combination. These specific needs are; to replace or top up fluid, electrolytes and calorie/sugars in the body as they are being consumed. The general concept behind Tailwind Nutrition is to ensure that in one drink you satisfy all of these components eliminating the need for supplements often used in addition, such as gels and salt replacement tablets.
On race day Tailwind at the aid stations will be mixed in a ratio of 200 calories per 500mls of water which is the approximate ratio that an average person is able to consume/absorb on an hourly basis. So if you consume this 500mls per hour you are taking on board both your bodies capacity to consume calories as well as electrolytes needed for that time period.
Aid stations
The following covers all of the various supplies that are available at the aid stations along the course. The race course has a multitude of aid stations available to provide a general backbone of supplies to suit the general field. The details of what is available at each aid station and position on course is included in the table below.
For a unique race like Six Foot Track Marathon, and with a field of around 850, we know that each person may have different needs for fluid, electrolyte, sugar, food intake and this can also even vary on the day along the course based upon other factors such as heat & humidity. Unlike many other ultra races, we do not have any mandatory items other than requiring runners to carry the collapsible reusable cup provided at registration or another fluid carrying item such as a hand held bottle, waist belt bottle or backpack bladder.
The race day fluids available will include supplies from our sponsor Tailwind Nutrition Australia, water and at some aid stations Coca Cola. This will also be augmented through additional food supplies such as fruit and snakes/lollies at some aid stations. There will be no gels provided at aid stations on race day. We are providing some specific information below in regards to Tailwind so entrants are able to plan and make decisions ahead of time in regards to their own potential needs on race day.
Each entrant needs to plan their race nutrition intake. If you require a specific brand/flavour/strength of sports nutrition or other intake such as gels or salt tablets other than water, then you do need to plan to be self sufficient to satisfy these needs.
Mandatory Gear
Given the comprehensive aid stations and support of course from the RFS volunteers the only mandatory gear we require runners to have is a personal hydration device given our no disposable cups policy below. This can be at a minimum the reusable cup provided at registration.
No disposable cups
We do not use disposable cups in our race. As a result we save around 40,000 cups from going into landfill. Instead we provide every runner at registration with a squeezable and collapsable 200ml cup. Each aid station will have drums fitted with a spring tap, as well as jugs to be able to use to fill your disposable cup or other fluid carrying item. The RFS volunteers will help you fill your cups or bottles where possible. In addition to the reusable cup (or instead of) you can carry your own bladders, bottles or flasks.
Runners are responsible for their own hydration plan. Please do not bypass the refill stations just to save time.
Toilet facilities
There are toilet facilities at the following locations
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Park & Ride at Katoomba Christian Centre
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Start line
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Megalong Road crossing
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Alum Creek
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Caves Road crossing
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Finish line
Aid Station Map for 2023 Race
AID STATIONS DETAILED TABLE
NOTE ALL AID STATIONS HAVE: WATER, TAILWIND NUTRITION, VASELINE & SUNSCREEN