Capital city trail/Main Yarra trail recap

I decided to complete my last long “slow-mos” run in Melbourne – before you ask, “seriously?”, I am in Melbourne because of the Australian Open. Melbourne is known to be quite running friendly with its numerous parks and trails around the CBD, and its relatively flat terrain. After some googling for something scenic over 35km, I found the Capital City trail, which pretty much runs along with the Yarra on your right, up to Rushall station, and then turning towards the zoo and down to Dockland. In its entirety, this largely uninterrupted trail (there are some random stairs and coffee temptations along the way...) stretches 30kms. What I also read was that the signage is notoriously poor as you head away from the city – naturally I found that out the hard way. I’ve included some photos in this post (up to my turn around point) in case anyone wants to venture out there…

Running is such an amazing way to see the city. The weather was made for running today - the air was crisp and the temperature was in the late teens. Perfection. I started the run just shy of 7:30am. It is much later than my usual 6am start as it was still pitch dark outside. Crossing Federation Square, I noticed lots of cops, marshals, trucks and set ups. There will be an Australia Day parade around noon. I am hoping I won't be caught in it on the way back...

Around 13km in you will see Collingwood children’s farm and Abbotsford Convent. I can smell a mixture of fresh cow dung and fresh coffee at the Farm café. I was planning to get a caffeine fix but decide against it as there was a long queue of cyclists and I wasn't sure how I am going to run with a coffee in hand.

As I exited the farm eventually, I saw a lovely low rapid along the river. I think that's Dight's Fall, but I am not sure...Doesn't divert from the fact that this was the highlight of my run. I would not have expected to see that in Melbourne.

At around 19km I hit Rushall station, and decided to turn back partly because I was no able to find the rest of the trail (dumb me!), and partly because I was sick of checking my phone to gather my bearing, so I decided to turn back. It will be 38km when I head back, a tad longer than prescribed. It’s a nice flat run so I don’t mind doing a few extra Ks.

On the way back towards Federation square, I hear music and parade....sigh.....I knew
I got back too late and now caught in the parade and crowd. By that time it was 36km on my watch and the presence of so many humans and horses and horse turds really made me rather grumpy.

Other than that it was a nice route to finish my last long run. It is also something different to the usual shopping and coffee sipping activities one would usually do in Melbourne. Yes I did finish my run with some shopping and a giant latte...

Flinder Street Station at 7:30am

The entire town is painted "tennis"

The Oz Day parade set ups

Lovely Yarra River overlooking from Birrarung Marr park and Melbourne uni rowing club...

The trail is a share path, so as a runner you will have to put up with endless bike "dings" and people yelling "passing" at every opportunity...

Lots of runners along the way so you won't be lonely for long

Just after this sign you will see some rock climbing walls under the bridge on the left:

There were 4 to 5 walls in total. This one is the beginners one while the others are sloppy (i.e difficult).

If you ever want to do some free bouldering (note - it is concrete if you do fall...)

The trail is closed if this bridge is flooded (duh~)

Signage is still good for now

Along most of the way you will see this painted on the path. If you don't see this then you are totally off track...

Still good signage...it gives you an idea how far away you are from civilisation.

When you see this park you need to turn left onto the bridge...

At Abbotsford Convent/Collingford Children's farm....

...Abbottsford Convent...

...Farm Cafe...

...all inside Collingwood Children's Farm

My favourite part of the run...

...there's something about water that is so calming...

...pairing the water with perfectly blue sky spells the perfect long weekend.

@ Rushall station. I ran under the railway to seek the Main Yarra Trail, but I cannot find it...

Rod Laver Arena...where I will head to later this evening for the Men's final

So many people....

...and more people

...and more people

The entire town is "tennis-ed"

Ok - I did finished my run with some shopping....

...and coffee sipping