EVENT PREVIEWS: FROM DOWN UNDER AND NZ

ULTRA-TRAIL AUSTRALIA

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, NSW AUSTRALIA

ALMOST everyone and anyone who’s hit the trails across the Tasman has heard of Ultra-Trail Australia, and to be fair it’s on a lot of bucket lists.

Known to be the biggest trail running event in the southern hemisphere, well known athletes like Matt Crehan, Lucy Bartholomew, Ruth Croft and Vajin Armstrong have all raced and left lasting impressions on those with future prospects of entering.

As part of the UTMB World Series, the 2022 UTA event will be held in mid-May with nearly 7500 runners provided an opportunity to test themselves across four separate distances – 11km, 22km, 50km or 100km, and no fewer than 29 countries will be represented this year.

One of the most amazing announcements of late by UTA is that 2022 will be the first time ever more women than men will be heading to the trails of the Blue Mountains for the race, while at the same time an estimated 44 per cent of entrants will be first-time participants. Every single entrant will get a chance to race along a variety of trails and terrain across some of the most beautiful and breathtaking natural landscape anywhere in Australia – or around the world.

Known to be an intense challenge, many use the mantra ‘I love hills, I love stairs’ when training for UTA, but once you get cracking from the start line the adrenaline kicks in and everything you’ve worked hard for is put to the test. Granted, a lot of preparation does need to go in to racing UTA, but whether you’re chasing a podium finish or simply aiming to get through the distance, the terrain and the atmosphere are both something you’ll be talking about for days, months, even years after you’ve run it.

Hands down, UTA is one of the most challenging, yet most rewarding events you’ll ever check off your bucket list.

EVENT Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB WHEN 12-15 May, 2022 DISTANCE UTA11 | UTA22 | UTA50 | UTA100 WHERE The Blue Mountains, New South Wales MORE ultratrailaustralia.com.au

HERDY’S FRONTYARD ULTRA

HERDSMAN LAKE, WA, AUSTRALIA

ARE you keen to go beyond the marathon distance and potentially make your mark by tackling an ultra? Then one of the best ways to do that is by introducing yourself to the backyard ultra, where running from Point A to Point B simply doesn’t exist and you can have your own crew there with you, at the start and at the finish, to support you every step of the way (almost!). A relatively new format of racing in the state of Western Australia, Herdy’s Frontyard Ultra features a Last One Standing setup where runners tackle a 6.7km loop on the hour, every hour until all but one runner is left. Hosted by Ultra Series WA, Herdy’s Frontyard is a backyard ultra that’s accessible to every type of runner – not only because it’s less than 10km away from the Perth CBD, but because most have the ability to complete 6.7km within 60 minutes. Being so close to the metropolis, it’s hard to believe that this race is right next to the freeway with its stunning wildlife, wetland environment and varying trail surfaces but with the inaugural race held in 2021, Herdy’s Frontyard has taken off in popularity with entrants for the 2022 event ranging from beginner runners and elite athletes to hikers and triathlete competitors. Signing up for Herdy’s Frontyard Ultra gives you a 99.6% chance of a DNF, but it’s a race against yourself to see how far you can push your body and your mind, to question how many times you can go back out there, and do it over and over and over again.

EVENT Herdy’s Frontyard Ultra WHEN 18 March, 2022 DISTANCE Last One Standing Format WHERE Herdsman Lake, Western Australia MORE herdysfrontyard.com.au

THE GUMBY

BRINDABELLA RANGES, ACT, AUSTRALIA

IF you’re after a race with an eternal loop, and you’re super keen to get a DNF, then the GUMBY will give you what you’re looking for. For a sadistic taste of the backyard ultra, and with a small crowd of eager runners chasing personal bests, this event attracts everyone and anyone looking for no discernible end. Held in the foothills of the Brindabella Ranges to the west of Canberra, the GUMBY is centred around Blue Range Hut, a WWII internment camp set amongst eucalyptus trees and a pine plantation. The race itself is on forest trails and almost always either up or down, and the highpoint of the course – Mt Gumby – sits about 150m above camp with spectacular views to Canberra in one direction, and glorious mountains in the other. As a last one standing event, there are two options for entrants. The first, the Great Ultra Mediocre Back Yarder (GUMBY) is a traditional LOS whilst the GUMBaby is an 8-lap shorter ‘baby’ version of the GUMBY for those who want to get a taste of backyarding without having to go until they drop. The winner of the GUMBaby is dectermined by the first to pass the post on Lap 8. Extremely popular amongst those living in and around Canberra, both the GUMBY and the GUMBaby have a maximum field of 50 runners each so it’s kept small, intimate and with the perfect atmosphere of comradery and mateship. With every runner in the GUMBY (apart from the winner, of course) a definite DNF, each individual is given a personal Quitter’s Ceremony when they choose to stop and provided an opportunity to sit by the fire on the ‘Quitter’s Throne’ until another runner falls from grace. Held over ANZAC Day long weekend, the GUMBY is hosted by the ULTRA Mediocre Runners of Canberra, a small club of dedicated ultra runners committed to furthering the sport in the region. Why mediocre? They believe everyone can be mediocre, and if you’re not, then you probably haven’t run far enough!

EVENT The Gumby WHEN 23 April, 2022 DISTANCE Last One Standing Format WHERE Brindabella Ranges, Australian Capital Territory MORE ultramediocre.run

BRISBANE TRAIL ULTRA CHATS WITH THE MAN HIMSELF

Dean Karnazes is an ultrarunning enigma. His books are right-of-passage for runners. His boundless passion for the sport has inspired many to push their boundaries well beyond their own perceived limits. Dean’s publications span two decades and include Ultramarathon Man, 50/50, Run: 26.2 Stories of Blisters & Bliss, The Road to Sparta and his latest bestseller, A Runner’s High.

In the early days of his ultra-journey, Dean was consistently on the podium. Notable achievements include winning the Badwater Ultramarathon, the world’s toughest footrace. His running resume is vast and diverse: 12-time Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run Silver-buckler, Overall Winner of the 4-Deserts Challenge, 10-time Badwater Ultramarathon finisher, winner of the Vermont Trail 100 – and this was just the beginning. Dean has competed on all seven continents, twice over, and once ran 50 marathons in all of the 50 US states in 50 consecutive days.

BTU: What was the inspiration behind your latest book, A Runner’s High?

Dean: A Runner’s High is something of a sequel to my first book, Ultramarathon Man, which was a NY Times bestseller and translated in over 20 languages. A Runner’s High examines how someone stays true to their calling decade after decade. But mostly, it is a fun and uplifting story. I write my books in service to the reader. The stories have to be engaging, quirky, insightful and compelling. My books are about my story, but they’re more so about the human story.

BTU: You’ve been at the top of the game for so long and paved the way for the up and coming ultramarathoners. It must be rewarding to see the sport building. How does it feel to still be competitive, but not to the level you used to be? How was the mental transition from racing to really just enjoying the races?

Dean: Honestly, I’ve never been terribly competitive. I’ve always viewed running more as an outward and inward adventure. We typically define the best runner as the fastest runner. But if you look up the definition of best it makes no mention of fast. To me, the best runner is the one that derives the most pleasure from what they do. Phil Edwards, a champion surfer, once said: “The best surfer is the one having the most fun.” I subscribe to that ethos wholeheartedly.

What a humble response and shows wholeheartedly he enjoys what he is doing. For Dean, this is definitely running; and running a lot.

BTU: What was the catalyst for your involvement in the Spartan Trail World Championship?

Dean: I’ve been a longtime friend of Joe DeSena, founder of Spartan. Being Greek, some of my ancestry is from Sparta (yes, the actual place in Greece). I’ve done a number of Spartan Races and really like obstacle course racing, but pure running is the greatest passion. So getting involved with Spartan Trail was a logical step.

BTU: How was the inaugural Golden Gate Trail Classic?

Dean: I’ve learned what it takes to put on a race these days and I have a newfound respect for Race Directors! The Covid rules and restrictions seem to change daily, but the event itself was magnificent. The course is one of the most scenic in the world and the weather was spectacular. Seeing all the smiling faces coming through the finish line made up for the challenges of organising the race. The second Golden Gate Trail Classic will be even better!

BTU: We heard you are racing Patagonia Run – STWC, Argentina in April. What draws you to Patagonia?

Dean: I was part of the inaugural Patagonia Run and this is the 10-year anniversary! So I must go back.

I’ve developed a close relationship with the Race Director, Mariano Alvarez, and I want to support his event. Patagonia is a beautiful setting and it complements our race in San Francisco.

BTU: Is the Brisbane Trail Ultra potentially on your radar for 2022?

Dean: Having lived in Australia, Brisbane is one of my favorite destinations. The BTU looks challenging, and I love challenges!

It’s looking favourable! Will we see Dean Karnazes at the Brisbane Trail Ultra 2022?

RIVERHEAD BACKYARD RELAPS ULTRA AND RELAY

RIVERHEAD FOREST, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

NORTH Island’s Riverhead Forest has got it all, and race directors of the Riverhead Backyard ReLaps Ultra and Relay are challenging everyone to see who can outlast their tough last one standing race this April.

Well, ‘tough’ is an understatement. There’s 160m of vert on each loop with a mix of sweet single track, 4WD tracks and a bit of gravel forest road to change things up a bit. And then if it rains, be prepared for mud, mud and more mud with conditions cutting up the trails and demanding all your energy to get through ‘just one more lap’.

The 2019-founded Riverhead Backyard Relaps Ultra made a name for itself worldwide when in its inaugural year Katie Wright became the first woman in the world to win a backyard ultra. That year, she beat 49 other participants to take the glory in 30 laps, which qualified her for the ultimate Big’s Backyard Ultra in Tennessee, USA.

With 2020 cancelled due to COVID, 2021 saw an increase to 80 backyard ultra runners and 34 relay teams (another 150 people), with winner Chris Bisley from Dunedin securing 38 loops, or 255km.

Event Director Shaun Collins said organising an event like the Riverhead Backyard was on a whole different level to anything else he’d ever done.

“You get to watch people turn up not knowing what they can do, but having something in the back of their minds,” he said.

“They keep lapsin’ until it turns pear-shaped and they have to call it quits – some having accomplished their goals, some having failed for their own personal reasons, and others just smashing their goals out of the park!

“It was all summed up nicely by one of our participants Luke Godsall who said, ‘It was horrible, but I loved it!’ as he hobbled to a halt after 120km.”

So the challenge is on. Is there a runner who can go further than 38 laps? Don’t miss out on the 2022 edition of the Riverhead Backyard ReLaps Ultra and Relay; go on, give it a crack!

EVENT Riverhead Backyard ReLaps Ultra and Relay WHEN 2 April, 2022 DISTANCE Last One Standing Format WHERE Riverhead Forest, New Zealand MORE riverheadbackyardrelaps.co.nz/

MT OXFORD ODYSSEY

CANTERBURY, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

IF you’re looking to add a trail race to your ‘must do’ list, then the Mt Oxford Odyssey in Canterbury on the South Island of New Zealand is destined for a placing in your Top 10 – and not in pencil, so you can’t rub it out.

With four distances to choose from (15km, 21km, 33km and 42km) there’s something for the trail runner on every level; love running every day but not quite committed to a super uber-long run just yet? Check out the 15km where you’ll hit a fast pace along the scenic route in a most stunning location, starting at the base of the mountain – perfect for those not wanting to head up and over Mt Oxford but still desiring to explore what this part of the world has to offer.

For a taste of doing it hard, well then… the half marathon will give you just that. ‘Hard, but achievable’ is how race directors explain the 21km, which by the way is the original race distance of the Mt Oxford Odyssey. But I’ll be honest here – the climb is pretty relentless, though it makes the views at the top all the more amazing. Running along the summit, you’ll be witness to 360 degree views from the Southern Alps all the way to the South Pacific Ocean, but what goes up must come down according to science, right? The descent is another experience altogether, with the breath-taking ‘Goblin Forest’ and all the smells and sounds of New Zealand’s native forests to enjoy.

The mountain challenge 33km is heading into only its second year as part of the Mt Oxford Odyssey, but with the perfect mix of single tracks and scenery, it’s bound to be a popular distance and one race directors are positive will stay for future events.

And now onto what is being claimed as New Zealand’s hardest marathon. Taking in three major ascents, the course has 3500m of elevation gain over the entire 42km. Look at it this way – that’s the equivalent of Mt Cook chopped into three. There’s plenty of gut-busting hiking during the marathon as well as some gnarly sections where your arms are just as important as your legs, and one of the best things here is that it attracts everyone from elite athletes through to weekend warriors.

Will you be at the start line?

EVENT Mt Oxford Odyssey WHEN 9 April, 2022 DISTANCE 15km | 21km | 33km | 42km WHERE Canterbury, New Zealand MORE mtoxfordodyssey.co.nz