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KARA>> So we're here today doing the 44th Lamington Classic, here in Lamington National Park
It's a trail run, a half marathon one-way.
21-odd kilometres on the Saturday,
and then we run back tomorrow, Sunday.
So when we get there we have a whole afternoon to chill,
drink beer,
soak up the rainforest...
I'm going to stop talking now.
NARRATOR>> This annual event starts in the Green Mountains,
near O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, on Saturday
and travels along the Border Track to Binna Burra.
The field is limited to 75 runners,
and staggered starts give some folks a chance to enjoy O'Reilly's birdlife
and other diversions before setting out.
KARA>> So what do you think is so special about this trail running event, the Lamington Classic?
BRUCE>> It's the history of the race.
It's the oldest trail running race in Australia...
continuous running race.
It started in 1970 as a one-day event,
where you ran from Binna Burra to O'Reilly's,
and then the following year you ran the alternate direction.
And then in 1977 they changed it to a two-day event where you ran on Saturday one way and
reversed the direction on Sunday.
And everybody just overnighted. ....
And then this year, which is 2013, we added a Saturday option of 42.195...
Olympic distance marathon race.
NARRATOR>> Seventeen runners participated in this inaugural marathon,
with the remaining runners tackling the half-marathon on one or both days.
NARRATOR>> Much of the first 7-8km from O'Reilly's is a gentle uphill journey --
a good excuse to move slowly and enjoy the cool, sublime beauty of the rainforest.
KARA>> So we're here at the Tooloona lookout,
it's the first lookout on the Border Track when you're heading from O'Reilly's to Binna Burra,
and it's just beautiful.
A good opportunity to stop, even on a trail run and definitely on a hike.
And you can see Mt Warning out there in the distance.
NARRATOR>> The remaining distance is largely downhill,
but this presents challenges as well,
particularly in the form of trip hazards such as exposed roots and rocks
as well as a couple small creek crossings.
NARRATOR>> Nearing the track's end is, of course, a fantastic feeling.
KARA>> 1.9km left!
NARRATOR>> Fellow runners welcome us at the finish line
-- marking the beginning of a party that lasts the rest of the day.
NARRATOR>> And this is one of the truly special things about the Lamington Classic:
the chance to spend an afternoon and evening relaxing with other runners.
The fire pit outside the bunkhouse is the main gathering place,
and we also attend a group dinner in the Lamington Teahouse.
Here, the fastest runners receive their awards.
NARRATOR>> After Saturday's effort, I wake on Sunday feeling a little fatigued,
but the energy of the rainforest helps silence the exhaustion.
I can't wait to embrace the trail again,
and I think, for the most part, other runners feel the same.
KARA>> So how are you feeling about today's run back to O'Reilly's?
CAMPBELL>> I'm feeling ok...
I'm just going to stop and look at the views,
smell the roses,
and try to get through the whole day without falling over...
KARA> What do you love about running in the rainforest?
TONY>> Freedom,
you get lost in the rainforest,
dream,
forget about the running...