TRM #48 by Adventure Entertainment

I N C O R P O R AT I N G T R A I L R U N N E R N E W Z E A L A N D & A U S T R A L I A

EDITION 48 // 2023 // AU/NZ

GRAMPIANS PEAKS: ULTRA RUNNING TO NEW HEIGHTS DARE TO DREAM: FROM BODYBUILDING TO TRAILS MAD MISSION: SNOW RUNNING IN COLORADO, USA

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IT’S A RUNNER’S LIFE: GETTING OUT OF THE DARK HOLE

TAKING

Trails TO THE Olympics

SHOE REVIEWS // TRAIL CREW // DREAM RUN EVENT PREVIEWS //LATEST GEAR

Team Athletes:

Kaytlyn Gerbin, Zach Miller

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DETAILS ED48 // 2023 // AU/NZ / SPRING AUSTRALIAN MADE. AUSTRALIAN PRINTED. AUSTRALIAN OWNED.

COVER: With the sun on her back and the mountains at her feet, Australian trail runner Lucy Bartholomew pushes herself to new heights on the GPT100 course up Mt Stapylton. IMAGE: Aaron Collins THIS SHOT: : A relay team runner on Leg 1 of the Margaret River Ultra Marathon 80km course in the south west of WA. This location is in the early stages of the race through single track sections in the heart of the heathland in the karri forest. IMAGE: Astrid Volzke VISIT US ONLINE trailrunmag.com facebook.com/trailrunmag twitter.com/trailrunmag instagram.com/trailrunmag EDITOR: Kate Dzienis DESIGNER: Marine Raynard LEGENDARY WRITERS: Kate Allman, Ash Daniels, Brad Dixon, Kate Dzienis, Sophie Geraghty, Emily Hunt, Giles Penfold, Dr Inia Raumati, Isobel Tait, Gaby Villa, Anika Warren-Smith, Paul Watkins, David Williams EPIC PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kate Allman, Joep Buijs, Dominic Chaplin, Aaron Collins, Element Photography, Everste, Robert Geary, Sophie Geraghty, Travis Hayto, Tyrel Johnson/Unsplash, Malcolm McRae, Bart Morawiec, Dominic Murphy, Giles Penfold, Photos4sale, Jack Prebble, Racing The Planet, Jonathan Scott, Snowman Race Secretariat, Stock Photo Secrets, Super Sports Images, Gaby Villa, Visit Durango, Visit Grand Junction, Astrid Volzke, Garry Wynards, Andrew Yeatman TRAIL RUN IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY ADVERTISING Zac Merrion Email: zac@adventureentertainment.com Phone: +61 499 661 101 SUBSCRIPTIONS & ENQUIRIES Email: magazines@adventureentertainment.com Phone: (02) 8227 6486 PO Box 161, Hornsby, NSW 1630 trailrunmag.com/subs EDITORIAL Kate Dzienis Email: kate@trailrunmag.com Phone: +61 (0) 413 432 800 PUBLISHER Adventure Entertainment ABN 79 612 294 569 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Trail Running acknowledges and shows respect for the Traditional Custodians of Australia and Aotearoa, and their Elders, past, present and emerging. DISCLAIMER Trail running and other activities described in this magazine can carry significant risk of injury or Death, especially if you are unfit. Undertake any trail running or other outdoors activity only with proper instruction, supervision, equipment and training. The publisher and its servants and agents have taken all reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the expertise of its writers. Any reader attempting any of the activities described in this publication does so at their own risk. Neither the publisher nor any of its servants or agents will be held liable for any loss or injury or damage resulting from any attempt to perform any of the activities described in this publication, nor be responsible for any person/s becoming lost when following any of the guides or maps contained herewith. All descriptive and visual directions are a general guide only and not to be used as a sole source of information for navigation. Happy trails.

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CONTENTS EDITION 48 // 2023 // AU/NZ 16. DREAM RUN

90. SHOE REVIEW

TRAIL MIX 10. EDITOR’S COLUMN 16. DREAM RUN: BHUTAN SNOWMAN RACE 20. PEAK PERFORMANCE: CREATING FLOW 22. NEW! COACH’S AID STATION 26. TRAIL CREW: LIVE TO RUN TRAIL 26. EAT, SLEEP, RUN: ENERGY PACKED RISOTTO 84. OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: BREATHTAKING RUNS 98. WISE WORDS: SIMON HARRIS

REVIEWS 12. ALL THE GOOD GEAR: PRODUCT REVIEWS 18. EVENT PREVIEWS: TANIWHA 26. BOOK REVIEW: DAVID WILLIAMS 90. SHOE REVIEW: TNF ENDURIS 8

30. CAN WE GET TRAIL RUNNING TO THE OLYMPICS?

FEATURES 30. OLYMPIC DREAMS FOR 2032 BRISBANE GAMES 36. DARE TO DREAM: IT STARTED WITH BODYBUILDING 42. MAD MISSION: OUT IN COLORADO, USA 48. GNARLY TALES: ALL ABOUT THE GRAMPIANS 54. RUNNING ON IMPACT: FROM ROAD TO TRAIL 62. GETTING OUT OF THE FINISHER’S DARK HOLE 66. RACE REPORTS 72. CONTRIBUTION: PREPPING FOR A 50KM 78. CONTRIBUTION: THE DR’S 4 DESERTS GRAND SLAM

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ED’S WORD

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

OlympicSTATUS

SETTING SIGHTS ON

here’s a topic covered in this edition of Trail Run Mag that I’m super hyped about, and it’s all to do with pushing and campaigning to take our beloved sport to the top of world eventing – the Olympic Games. There are so many reasons why trail running deserves Olympic status, and if I were to go on about it, I could very well take up every single page of this edition. As someone who interviews people and writes for a living, I get incredible opportunities to talk to not only a wide range of athletes who showcase trail running with the upmost pride and representation, but with race directors and organisers whose passions lie so much deeper than you’d have ever considered. These are the individuals you can rely on to make big noise when it comes to putting forward an idea and making it happen – having said that though, you too can raise your voice and encourage the game players to put trail running on the world stage by getting involved. Yes, we have World Championships for trail and ultra; they’re stand-alone events attracting elite runners and their supporters. On an international scale, there are a few – count them, few – races that Aussies and Kiwis can compete at after meeting specific criteria, but on many occasions each athlete needs to find a way to fund themselves to get there. On some level, member-based groups like the Australian Ultra Runners Association (AURA) and others do offer to cover those costs, yet for other events, sponsorships can be hard to come by. With trail running given official Olympic positioning, can you just imagine what that would mean to athletes who dream of representing their country but are unable to cover their own funds? Sponsorships would be coming in from all the outfields. And if given the chance to run on a world stage where it’s

not just running enthusiasts who spectate, it’s an opportunity to showcase the sport and really demonstrate its popularity, fortitude and capability to what the human body can achieve. Trail running is a sport. That’s a sentence all on its own. I agree that for many, it’s a recreational activity with so much personal meaning; and for others, it’s life. Life is built around trail running, not the other way around. These are the athletes who put in the exorbitant hard yards, are in constant training mode, who don’t falter from nutritional plans, who run more than 90km per week, who have their eyes set on breaking national records and taking podium finishes. So the question is…what makes these elite trail athletes any different to those competing at the Games in rowing, rugby, swimming and fencing…in archery, water polo and weightlifting? Let me tell you a little story here that has complete relevance, trust me. Believe it or not, I’m a 1st Dan black belt in taekwondo. Well and truly retired now, I was in my prime at the age of 18 winning tournaments in both forms (poomse) and fighting. Hell, I was darn great at it; I was a podium placer. And as any person that young, I had a dream – to go to the Olympic Games. It even says so underneath my senior school photo in my yearbook, so I have proof in case you ever ask. It was all I wanted to do in the late 1990s; I trained every day after school and I used to teach in-between training blocks – my students ranged from ages three to 95. I lived and breathed taekwondo. My family didn’t come from wealth by any means, but at every opportunity spared they supported all the moves I wanted to make. Attend a training camp with American Olympians Herb Perez

and Juan Moreno, and All American Open Grand Champion Mark Williams? Sure. Change teachers and get my parents to drive 45 minutes twice a week to be coached by Senegal’s Olympic champion Abdoulaye N’Gom? Absolutely – in fact, Master N’Gom was the teacher who tested and then presented me with my black belt in 1998. Back track a bit when ten years earlier in 1988, taekwondo was put forward at the Seoul Olympics as a demonstration sport – originating from Korea, the ’88 Games were the perfect place to do this. Again in 1992, it was put on demo in Barcelona and by the time 2000 rolled around, taekwondo became a full medal sport at the Sydney Games – and it’s been included ever since then. My point being is that despite my passion at the time being a demonstration sport, I had hope of making it to the Games one day (as you can see, I’m not talking about winning any gold medals here as life went down a completely different road). But because of the sport being put on display, I had every ounce of ambition to get there due to knowing it was 100% possible that my sport could go from ‘demo’ to ‘official’. The same can be said for campaigning trail running to the Games. The 2032 Brisbane Games are the perfect setting to have our favourite sport included, demonstration or official. It gives hope to anyone and everyone who has a dream.

KATE DZIENIS EDITOR

ALL THE GOOD GEAR

PATAGONIA DOWN SWEATER REVIEW BY KATE DZIENIS HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE IT WHEN YOU FIND A PIECE OF CLOTHING AND IT’S BEEN MADE WITH RECYCLABLES? It’s absolutely brilliant, both ethically and sustainably, that Patagonia’s most iconic piece of gear – the Down Sweater – is made from fishing nets that could have otherwise ended up floating around the oceans and threatening our creatures of the deep. The ever popular Down Sweater has been redesigned with improved performance and reduced impact in mind. By puffy jacket, I’m not talking about one of those 1990s gangsta, rapper-style ‘original puffers’ that make you look like a gigantic cloud baby living on marshmallow milk. This particular puffer is smooth and silky without the real big ‘puff’ look – and I love it! I took it out on a couple windy mornings and some light rain evenings in late autumn and quickly realised why it’s one of the most popular items on the Patagonia menu – the adaptability this jacket gives you is second to none, and I found myself wearing it not only for runs, but on my dog walks and other errands or activities. The Down Sweater is 100% suited for other special interests too like hiking, camping, and climbing because it’s essentially windproof; combined with day-to-day

wear, you’re absolutely getting bang for your buck here. Whilst using it on the trails in those chilly conditions, my range of motion was never compromised nor was it ever restricted – top points! There are two hand pockets at the front both with ‘invisible’ zips, two deep inside open pockets, and the inside-left chest pocket allows you to stuff the whole jacket in, zip and loop ribbon included – incredibly convenient when you want to take it off but don’t want to tie it around your waist. For those of you who love a good zipper (it’s the ASMR for me), the centre-front zipper has an interior storm flap, and there’s a zipper ‘garage’ at the chin for next-to-skin comfort. Inside the jacket, there was a little tissue paper-covered repair patch kit for quick fixes – I had no idea what this was initially, but wow. A brilliant idea to include in the event of a rip or tear while out and about. The Patagonia Down Sweater isn’t form fitting. It’s not tight at the very bottom and isn’t designed to be short at the waist. Sitting slightly longer, which I really do like, it’s oh so warm – for those who like tech talk: the insulation comes from 800-fillpower 100% Responsible Down Standard down certified by Control Union. What does this mean? It means your purchase of the Down Sweater will

demonstrate demand for better animal welfare practices in the down and feather supply chain. Durable shell fabric made of NetPlus®, 100% post-consumer recycled nylon ripstop made from recycled fishing nets (from local fishermen along the coast of South America), this is the jacket you need to keep on hand throughout the year. I received the Light Plume Grey colour for testing, which has accents of light blue on the sleeves and around the collar, but there are a variety of other colours on hand to suit everyone’s tastes including Hemlock Green, New Navy, Black, Sound Blue, Evening Mauve, Dusky Brown and Rustic Purple.

VITALS RRP $399.95 AUD / $459.99 NZD PATAGONIA.COM.AU / PATAGONIA.CO.NZ

TNF SUMMIT HIGH TRAIL RUN SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT REVIEW BY KATE DZIENIS MADE FOR ENDURANCE AND CHALLENGING CONDITIONS, The North Face’s Summit High Trail Run Short Sleeve shirt is the perfect partner for training and racing in all conditions – and I was lucky enough to give this high-end fabric a go! That, and the LED Yellow colour is prime choice for anyone who loves adding a splash of their personality to the trails. Down to the nitty gritty of this slim fit shirt which TNF calls ‘coupe slim’ due to its darted seams (a type of sewing method to ensure shape for body contouring). It’s made with FlashDry-Pro™ materials that pull moisture away, designed to repel and resist wetting out to help provide quick drying performance that keeps you dry. This tech is engineered to act like a second skin against skin, pushing moisture to the surface of the fabric and eliminating it as fast as possible. Essentially, the fabric offers the wearer enhanced moisture management and dry time, with FlashDry-Pro found in TNF’s most highly aerobic pieces.

I don’t get too sweaty in colder weather, but when I hit the treadmill to test the fabric, it sure didn’t disappoint. The flat-seamed bonded neckline in the Summit High Trail Run Short Sleeve shirt didn’t leave me pulling down on the collar either. There’s nothing worse than going for a decent training run and constantly pulling down at the neck because of that choking feeling; TNF’s design has left enough space in this area without going for a v-neck that us women really enjoy. The sides down at the very bottom feature split seams for improved mobility, and the lower back fabric length is slightly longer than the front. Without fail, and as always…something I love about the TNF brand, the shirt has reflective heat transfer logos on the left chest and back-right shoulders to allow enhanced visibility by others in foggy or early morning/late evening light. And the logos don’t take away from the overall stylish look of the shirt either.

This is a technical product by TNF and should be used to its complete advantage by trail runners. It’s fully recycled and is an easy choice to make when hunting for the next high tech shirt to race in. Love me some neon LED yellow. VITALS RRP $120 AUD / $129.50 NZD THENORTHFACE.COM.AU / THENORTHFACENZ.NET

Who do you run with?

We run with our local communities and a shared history. With our mentors, the next generation, and perspectives. Community is something we construct; out of shared ambitions and common ground, out of a desire to take on difficult things and to change the way things are done. We run with others to finish what we started, and to share the view.

ALL THE GOOD GEAR

RED PADDLE ACTIVE JACKET REVIEW BY KATE DZIENIS THIS WATERPROOF JACKET IS DA BOMB. I really mean it. And not just because it looks absolutely fantastic on me, I love parading around in it, but it 100% does the job of everything Red Paddle claims it to do. Marketed as ‘light, packable and waterproof’ I will write a strong yes, yes, yes to all three assertions. Even though the label is known for its paddleboards and changing robes (which, by the way, are the perfect solution to those awkward car park changes when you’re going from bathers to regular clothing), this waterproof jacket is the perfect waterproof product for its entry into targeting trail runners. I have a few raincoats that I’ve used before whilst out on the tracks, and though the Active Jacket doesn’t feel like it’s made from heavy duty fabric, it certainly held up to the test keeping me dry and comfortable without feeling like I was overheating – that is a major issue in some of my other waterproof and water resistant jackets, and it can get unbearably annoying when the heart starts to pump that little bit harder. It certainly helps to have the air vent holes in the underarms for cooling, and the fit is perfect enough to fit a light running jumper underneath without me appearing like the Incredible Hulk and scaring children away. I didn’t

feel the need to strip it off either as I warmed up or went on the inclines, I was totally happy keeping it on as the raindrops kept coming (running in the rain is my favourite!). Water-tight pockets and zips on each side are large enough for a modern phone, debit card and keys, and there are Velcro cuffs to accommodate your personal wrist size to keep any breeze or wind at bay. On top of that, one of the other awesome features I really liked was the fact I was able to tighten the hood not only from the front on both sides, but from the back too – clever, clever. There’s also the option of rolling the hood ‘away’ into a pocket, securing it with Velcro, so it's not bouncing up and down behind you if the rain has stopped and you don’t fancy having it on. The Red Paddle Active Jacket is lightweight enough to pack down small into a pocket compartment. Folding it down can be done by opening the left pocket, pulling the fabric out from the inside, and then pushing, or ‘squishing’, the jacket into the pocket. Once in, there is a separate zip to close it shut, the branding is labelled so you remember what it is, and there’s a bungee cord with clip to attach to anything you like. Once you get to an aid station and let’s say you don’t require the jacket anymore, it’s easy to store it like this in your drop bag without any chance of losing it.

There’s also reflective trim to ensure safety outdoors in low light conditions. For the techy in all of us, the Active Jacket has 4-way stretch, 5k/5k waterproof, Blue Sign approved fabric which allows for full range of movement for running. I absolutely approve, I love it.

VITALS RRP $200.37 AUD RED-EQUIPMENT.COM.AU

SPRING ENERGY REVIEW BY GILES PENFOLD RUNNING NUTRITION. HATE IT OR LOVE IT – IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER. The fact is it’s inescapable, and to make things even better (or worse), there’s an overabundance of choice out there. Some products will wreak havoc on your body, while others will get you a PB. Choose wisely! Enter Spring Energy, a sports nutrition company that brings genuine, real food to the table. Unlike other industry players producing highly processed bars and sludges, Spring Energy aims to ‘bring back the joy of training and racing without GI problems, sugar highs, dips and negative effects of low quality ingredients and chemicals’. As a quick preface, due to nasty stomach issues in the past, I avoid running gels like the plague. I’m sceptical and somewhat hesitant going into this little experiment. Oh dear, here we go again. I’m mid-run, ripping open my first gel in over four years. *Slurp*. The sludge goes down the hatch. Apprehension fills my body.

An energy surge ensues. Surely it’s only a matter of time before I feel queasy. Fifteen kilometres and two more gels later – nothing. My body feels surprisingly good, stronger than usual even. Turns out it’s not luck. My scepticism gradually dissipates as dozens of training runs are fuelled by Spring Energy. Long runs, tempos, and speed sessions get the tick of approval from my stomach, not to mention from a performance standpoint. The gels aren’t sickly sweet either, and have a slightly tart taste. I’m converted. To make sure I’m still prone to stomach issues, I experiment with a stock standard maltodextrin gel and surprise, surprise…my stomach isn’t happy.

15mg of caffeine).

Spring Energy is its antithesis. All ingredients are 100% natural and there’s a wide variety of gels and powders to choose from. I cycle through different products based on their flavour, caffeine content, and overall calories and carb content.

Keep your eyes out for their sample packs, a great

My personal favourites are the ‘Awesome Sauce’ (180cal and 45g of carbs) and the ‘Koffee’ (210cal and

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DREAM RUN WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGE: THE SNOWMAN RACE SECRETARIAT

THE UNFORGETTABLE SNOWMAN

Covering more than 203km through the wild and challenging terrains with mountain passes as high as 5470m, the Snowman Race in Bhutan (South Asia) is an ultra marathon testing the world’s fittest and most elite runners to help raise awareness of the impacts of climate change. This race of a lifetime follows the trail of the famous Snowman Trek, which has been completed by fewer people than Everest and is one of the toughest treks in the Himalayas. Bhutan, often referred to as Land of the Thunder Dragon, is one of the most isolated nations on earth – nestled between India, Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh and the People’s Republic of China in the Eastern Himalayas. And now you can run it. 16

Spanning across five days, a small group of extreme runners have the ability to attempt one of the most remote and challenging foot races ever initiated. Is it odd that automatically some names of runners I know pop up in my head for me to put the suggestion to? The Snowman Race follows a historic high-altitude trekking route of Snowman Trek (which normally takes up to 20 days to complete), with the race drawing inspiration from the prescient wisdom of the nation’s King on conservation of natural and cultural heritage. The event aspires to bring the world’s attention to climate change and its impacts, particularly on the lives of people living in fragile mountain ecosystems.

So take out your maps and find your starting and finish lines – from Gasa Dzong through to Chamkhar, Bumthang the entire area offers the most insanely beautiful landscapes you will ever witness. Sadly, researchers have discovered that the glaciers of the Himalayas are melting twice as fast than in the 20th century and have no snow replacement taking place, with two-thirds of the glaciers predicted to be gone by the turn of the next century. Take a stand for changing the world while at the same time, testing yourself beyond the limits. Host: Snowman Race Destination: Bhutan

ISSUE 47 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

EVENT PREVIEW WORDS: BRYCE GREEN IMAGES: SUPPLIED

FEISST GROUP TANIWHA North Island, New Zealand Following the mighty Waikato River, the Feisst Group Taniwha will take you on a scenic point-to-point journey along pristine trails, boardwalks, native bush and even the odd swing bridge. Finishing on an island in the middle of Lake Whakamaru (one of the most spectacular locations in the South Waikato), this event will test even the most seasoned trail runner, while also being a great event for families and first timers. The addition of more trail north of Mangakino in 2022 has seen the marathon increase to a 44km ultra consisting of 95% trail! In fact, all courses consist of more than 95% very runnable trails with surprises all along the way. The Feisst Group Taniwha is an event for mountain bike riders too, so if you’re a trail runner who likes to jump up a gear on a two-wheel mode of transportation, you’re encouraged to go for gold! It’s a great weekend away with friends or family, with amazing food, activities for the kids and even accommodation on site. The best part is that $12 from every entry goes directly to the Waikato River Trails Trust so they can continue to not only build and maintain trails, but re-plant the surrounding areas in native bush. So wind your way through all the spectacular native bush, exotic forest, historic landmarks, open reserves, boardwalks over wetlands and stunning single track, because the Feisst Group Taniwha is a race you don’t want to have FOMO over. REGISTRATIONS OPEN 7 MAY 2023.

EVENT Feisst Group Taniwha WHEN 11 November 2023 DISTANCE 44km, 22km, 16km, 7km WHERE Waikato River Trails, North Island, NZ MORE thetaniwha.co.nz

PEAK PERFORMANCE WORDS: BRAD DIXON IMAGE: EVERSTE

“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves.” Jack Kornfield.

BE HERE

Now

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

Flow

TO CREATE

There is a real shift towards mindfulness in the health and wellness sector. Everyone is talking about being ‘present’. Most wellness publications have a piece on mindfulness with a different perspective. Sometimes the mindfulness message gets complicated, getting lost in new age hippie translation, however practising mindfulness will help in all aspects of our lives including dominating running moments on the trail! I wanted to break it down so mindfulness can be applied right away in your day. Being present on your task at hand will allow you to move towards the best you can be in life and in running – plus our world will benefit. Most of us have several different roles that we must flux between – sometimes on a moment-to-moment basis. Living and being grounded in the now is the best way to work on your mindfulness practice in an authentic way. Society will have us believe that multi-tasking is the answer to our busyness crisis. The most asked question these days ‘How are you?; with the stock standard answer being ‘busy’. This fragmented way of living with our thoughts forever in a game of chasing your tail is only useful for breeding a disease within your system. If your mind and body (thoughts and actions) are not in sync then it creates an anxiety on the border of your consciousness that elevates your stress response. Living in this way will contribute to chronic fatigue. I believe not being present and having that disconnect between body and mind is a massive component to poor eating routines. Mindful eating (slowing down, appreciating food, sitting with others, saying grace, not watching a screen) helps us differentiate between eating for nourishment and just a habit. Staying focused on your role now and doing it to the best of your ability allows your mind and body to align aiding the state of flow and clarity. Flow is when there is little resistance to actions, not needing to overthink the task. This doesn’t mean the task is easy, it might in fact be very challenging – but just like trying to catch of bar of slippery soap you will have a better chance of catching it if you use soft relaxed hands rather that grabbing at it with intense effort. To work towards this type of effortless in-the-moment living we need to understand our role in the present, and once you have given your best at that role in your day then there is less resistance

IN LIFE AND TRAILS

or ‘sticking’ when transitioning to the next role.

One method to help prevent sticking or resistance of moving from task-to-task is to self-acknowledge how you can improve next time, then let it go. A negative coping strategy that increases sticking is shifting the blame to others for our poor behaviour and not accepting responsibility. Owning a mistake is far more empowering than faking perfection or placing the entire blame on someone else. Here are some tips to help be more mindful or present: •

Organise your day to allow smooth transition from role to role. This may require better communication with the family to ensure there is no confusion over roles the following day, sending a reminder text, or ensuring your favourite running shorts are ready to go for the morning’s scheduled run.

•

Get a standing desk. Sitting for any more than 3 hrs a day contributes not only to a host of disease states, but it creates a ‘shut down’ mode in the body. Sitting deadens the gluts and shortens our hip flexors, therefore ruining our running stride!

•

Schedule meditation. Think of sitting and focusing on your breath as the ultimate training for body and mind alignment. Start with 5min and work it up. It’s a great way to get to know yourself and be less affected with surrounding negativity.

•

Schedule in joy daily. Don’t just exist for the weekend or bi-annual holiday. Have moments in your every day life to look forward to. Putting joy in your day is not selfish because it benefits you and your loved ones.

•

Take a deep breath. If you feel like you’re unable to focus on the task at hand, taking a deep breath in the nose allowing the stomach to expand and then release will help centre and calm yourself.

•

Control your phone, don’t let it control you. Turn off notifications from social media platforms and have your phone face down when engaging in tasks so you are not distracted. Face-to-face communication is slowly being eroded – cherish it. It’s where the true magic happens.

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Brad Dixon is a sports physio, coach and wellness evangelist at EVERFIT Physio & Coaching. He’s written a book titled Holistic Human, and believes the power is in our daily habits. Find him at everfit.co.nz or through his socials @ everfitcoach.

THE COACH’S AID STATION WORDS: ASH DANIELS

SOMETIMES S L O W I N G DOWN IS THE BEST WAY TO S P E E D U P As a running coach, I’m fortunate enough to speak to people about trail running on a regular basis, and one of the most common questions I’m asked is, ‘How can I run faster?’ After reviewing training logs and data, the most surprising answer to many is, telling people to slow down. Whilst this sounds counter intuitive, let's dig into the reasons for running slow, the why, the what and as important for you, how slow, should your slow and easy runs be? Why Do We Run Slow To Speed Up? Running easy allows us to build up our endurance through being able to add more distance and volume throughout the training week. Very simply, we can run a lot more when running easy and gain all the same benefits without the added stress or risk of injury of more intense sessions. Not just taking my word for it, let’s dig into what the science says about performance and running slow. There have been several studies which have concluded that both the volume of running and the intensity (speed/ pace) at which we run leads to performance improvements. A recent study in 2020, using a real-world big data set, concluded that, ‘Our findings can be interpreted as faster runners train typically at lower relative intensities which is consistent with high-intensity performance improvement due to low-intensity training.’ Put simply, the study found that faster runners spend most of their time training at an easy and relatively slow pace – the key words being relative intensities. Your easy pace may be a fast effort for someone else and too slow for another runner; your easy pace is specific to you so don’t go chasing those PBs every run. How Taking it Easy Improves Running Performance Easy runs create several adaptations in the body that lead to improved performance or 22

running economy. Mitochondrial biogenesis and capillary density are a couple of the key ones, meaning we can run our favourite trails faster with overall less effort. Mitochondria Biogenesis – mitochondria are found in the cells of our muscles and are the powerhouse in the production of energy during exercise. They convert oxygen and our energy stores (glycogen, proteins and fats) into usable energy for the muscles allowing them to contract, which in turn is us running. The more mitochondria we have, we can generate more energy for our muscles to run. Increased Capillary Density – capillaries are our smallest blood vessels and deliver oxygen to our muscles. The larger the number of capillaries around each muscle fibre, the faster you can deliver oxygen and fuel (all those gels) to the muscle and take waste products away, again leading to that quicker pace, whilst feeling easier. Additionally, we become better fat adapted, in that we use a higher percentage of fat as a fuel source during these easy runs. During racing and events, that translates to us relying slightly less on what’s available at the aid stations.

RPE has proven to be highly effective, all you need is a scale of 1-10, where 1 means you’re sitting watching a movie, and 10 is that all-out hill sprint. Another great reason for using RPE is because during a trail race everything else is irrelevant except how you feel at that time, be it running a steep trail to summit in the blazing sun, or doing a fast descent, it really is about how you feel at that time. So where should be aiming for in the RPE scale and how do we know if we are running easy? We can gauge this through a talk test, anything between 4 to 6 on the RPE scale can be classed as easy or normal running. At this pace you should be able to hold a conversation very easily with your training partner, without pausing. Anything over this and you starting to push it a little too hard. How much of your training should be easy? This depends on your event and distance. For ultra distances you could do nearly all your training easy whilst for other events there are numerous approaches to training, and you won’t go wrong if at least 70 to 80% of your time is spent at that easy pace.

So knowing the why and what, let’s jump into what it means for you and your training for that next big trail race.

Next time you head out, remember slow and easy wins the day:

How Slow Should I Be Running & How Often?

•

We know through research that those at the pointy end of any trail race will practice most of their training at a relatively easy pace (remember your easy pace will not be anything near an elite runner’s easy pace), whilst only a small number of us recreational runners practice this.

•

There are a few ways to work out your easy pace; some require medical devices, not available to many runners, or using heart rate and power if you have the equipment. The one method all trail runners can embrace requires no technology at all and that is a rating of perceived exertion or RPE.

•

A slower pace is relative to you, don’t compare your pace to others It can take a little getting used to but persevere and you’ll reap the benefits Do the talk test, if you can’t hold a comfortable conversation, slow down

It’s highly unlikely you’ll run too slow though. INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Ash Daniels is a Level-3 Athletics Australia Performance Development coach at Journey2Ultra coaching, where he specialises in trail and ultra running. He coaches runners of all abilities and distances, believing everyone is a runner; just that some of us need a bit more help in getting going. Ash can be found at journey2ultra.com.au

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

BOOK CLUB REVIEW

AN UNSTOPPABLE RUNNER BY DAVID WILLIAMS

In An Unstoppable Runner, author David Williams tells the story of his lifelong running adventure. In his easy-to-read book, he describes the physical and mental challenges he’s faced in such diverse locations like the blister-making Simpson Desert, muddy New Zealand forests as well as many other international marathons and ultras. Well known ultra runner Pat Farmer (who recently ran around Australia for ‘The Voice’) wrote the foreword to this inspirational book, saying ‘David Williams has been able to tap into the very core of an ultra runner’s motivation, to discover who they really are…David

takes us on a journey to many countries and climates through decades of time to prove that we were meant to run the corners of this world and experience every aspect of life’. And, perhaps, this is the very core of the stories told.

gels and power bars came into being;

David is able to see the funny side of the hardships we put ourselves through and certainly doesn’t hesitate to make fun of his own setbacks during training or races.

of them by going for a run; sometimes

Readers will enjoy the different quotations at the beginning of each chapter as they relate perfectly well to the contents. His stories will inspire new trail runners to get out there and find their own adventures, as well as reminding those of us who have been running the trails for decades what a long run feels like – it’ll make you want to put on your running gear and head out the door straight away. The book describes David’s running career covering more than 40 years and whilst it’s clear that he may be just an ordinary middle-of-the-pack runner, his experiences will be very familiar. Like so many of us, the story starts with building up to a 5km race, and then becoming obsessed by marathons before finding the world of trail ultras. Interestingly, David was racing in ultra marathons back in the 1980s and it was fascinating to read about how the running world was back then, before

even before proper training plans were available to everyday runners. There have been some really tough times in his life, but David dealt with many they went all-night and, although he acknowledges that he was running away from reality, those runs were essential to his mental well-being. On some level, we can all relate to how our favourite sport can help us in other ways than just keeping fit and healthy. After all those years of running ultras, David has come face-to-face with the inexorable forces of getting older and describes brilliantly the ageing factors that we all must come to terms with. He has experienced the slowing down, despite working harder and harder to fight it but he has never lost his love for the sport nor his sense of humour, which comes across so strongly. An Unstoppable Runner was written to raise funds for the Cancer Council in Australia and you can easily find copies on Amazon or, if you would like a personally signed copy, David will be delighted to mail one to you if you contact him at flinders.runner@hotmail.com

TRAIL CREW LIVE TO RUN TRAIL ANSWERED BY: EMILY HUNT IMAGES: BART MORAWIEC, JONATHAN SCOTT

LIVE TO RUN TRAIL

The world is ending. Nominate a trail anywhere on the planet that your crew must run. It’s the last trail you’ll ever see. Where is it? We would have to run up into the Port Hills and bag a Sugarloaf summit. Nothing beats the feeling you get from a pounding heart and a view shared with friends. If someone was to appear with a couple of bottles of champagne or some craft beer to toast the end of the world that would top it off nicely. From up there we would probably have a good seat to watch it all unfold below us.

How have you seen participation in your group change people and lives? How did your group begin? What started as a few hardy souls being trained by one or two coaches then morphed into a large trail running community with some of the best local trail names in Christchurch coaching a group of enthusiastic individuals. Covid and lockdowns put a halt to group runs in 2020 but once social mingling was allowed, a core group of about 15 started meeting again at the regular spot at the regular time. It just took one person saying, ‘Hey! Let’s start the run club again and get the coaches back on board’ to get the ball rolling. This is where I (Emily) stepped in and formed a team of the most excellent humans that set about making it happen. We were extremely lucky to have a business (Intelligro) support us from the get go and they have generously continued to support us to date. One of the runners’ dads has a business also (Sreka) which also provided well-needed financial support and we were off and running – quite literally. The aforementioned core group of 15 is now more regularly a chattering mass of 60-70 happy revellers. We have nine coaches on our books and they all come with impressive sports pedigrees including multiple New Zealand mountain or trail running representatives, God Zone winners and national title reps for various distances or terrains. We are such a blessed group to have these people part of our community.

Where does the crew run mostly? We can be found every Thursday, rain or shine, in the epic terrain that is the Port Hills in Christchurch. We take different routes each week and mix up the distances and vert. In the summer we start at Victoria Park and then through the winter we move around and sample other locations around the city including the forest and varying trails in the hills.

What is the crew’s favourite local trail and why?

There are too many to choose from! I would say people love the variety we have access to in the Port Hills. It seems there is always a new trail to discover and in different lights or weather conditions they bring a plethora of challenges. By encouraging rock hopping, zigzagging across open paddocks or picking out a carefully disguised sheep track, the variety is truly limited only by the imagination.

What single piece of advice would you give a newbie joining your crew? Go and see Oska or Sam at Frontrunner Colombo and get a decent pair of trail shoes that are the best for you and your goals. Sam is one of our runners and knows a thing or two about shoes. We are very fortunate to have this store in Christchurch as Frontrunner Colombo has the biggest range of trail shoes in the country.

If your crew was an animal, what would it be and why? This took some thinking, but we all agreed it would be African Painted Dogs. This is an animal that is continuously chatting, has a big heart and has a whole lot of energy. The crew is like a pack animal and they never leave their sick or injured behind. Also, our members have cool hair styles and stylish outfits just like their canine counterparts.

The whole purpose of this club was to build a community. We wanted an inclusive and completely accessible club for anyone who has a pair of (well-fitted, appropriate) shoes and a spare hour. On speaking to the coaches, the main feedback is they love the enthusiasm and the sound of people chatting and laughing every Thursday evening. A bad day can be turned around by the warmth of the group. Confidences have grown in running trails, running in the dark and extending distances. Everlasting friendships have been created, businesses grown and networks built all because of the beating heart of the crew Live To Run Trail NAME: Live to Run Trail BIRTHDAY: Summer 2020 REGION: Christchurch, Canterbury, NZ MEMBERS: 600+ AVERAGE RUNNERS AT EACH HOOK UP: 70 AVERAGE HOOK UPS EACH YEAR: 50 SHOES OWNED IN TOTAL: Too many to count (Sam owns the most pairs) UNOFFICIAL CLUBHOUSE: Moon Under Water, Somerfield, Christchurch

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Devicca Embahe is one of the most unassuming people you would ever meet. A quiet achiever, resilient and always up for challenges, she’s always pushing herself out of her comfort zone to be a role model for her children. BTU: What attracted you to join us at the Brisbane Trail Ultra? Devicca: Stepping out of my comfort zone and into something I’ve never done before. This is my first trail running experience, elevation is not my strength, but this has given me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and put my mind and body to the test. In all honesty it’s a lot harder than road running! BTU: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Devicca: I am of Papuan heritage from the mountains of Kokoda, Papua New Guinea. I’m also a single mother of three teenagers, currently caring for my daughter who is in remission from stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, working part time and run coach as often as possible which I absolutely love! Home is now Cairns, Far North Queensland where I am part of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation and I am a run leader/ coach for their running and walking group. My running journey began in 2015. It was at a very challenging time in my life, I’m a survivor of domestic violence, whilst also suffering from anxiety and depression, this led to homelessness with my children. There would be days were I would envision my future, a vision of myself getting active, to keep up with my children. I pictured stability for us as a family, a vision of a healthy lifestyle for us. That is what brought me to buying a pair of runners. Initially I did this to support my friend in her Indigenous Marathon Project journey.

Kieran O’Brien is a proud family man, plumber, and lover of all things endurance and ultra running. His story is both inspiring and heartfelt as a survivor of chronic disease. He aspires to live a healthy lifestyle and be a role model as a father, friend and family man. We asked Kieran about his passion and journey into running and he shared with us his story. BTU: What attracted you to join us at the Brisbane Trail Ultra? Kieran: I keep coming back to BTU because of how challenging yet beautiful the course is. I love how the terrain changes from bushy rolling hills around Mt Coo-tha, to the unforgiving climbs through Mount Nebo and the energising rainforest of Mount Glorious. BTU: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Kieran: I’m Sydney born and moved to Brisbane at the age of six with my parents, three brothers and my sister. I studied plumbing and now own my own plumbing business. I recently moved to the Gold Coast with my partner Emily and we have welcomed baby Cora into this world. I absolutely love being a dad and pinch myself at how lucky I am to have such beautiful daughter. I did cross country throughout high school but I stopped running after that. Then at 23 I was diagnosed with a stage 3 melanoma which had a 23% 10-year survival rate at that time. Something had to change! Within six months of surgery, I was beginning a healthier lifestyle and saw an ad for the Brisbane Marathon which was four weeks away. Having recently faced and meditated on my possible death, I concluded the best thing someone could’ve said about my life achievements to that point was that I could skull a jug of beer. The longest distance I’d ever run before that marathon was 13km then never looked back from there. Celebrating 10 years cancer free, I did the inaugural BTU 100 Miler which is one of my fondest memories. BTU: Any noteworthy trail run experiences? Kieran: I have mistaken sheep’s eyes as markers (they glow in the dark when light shines on them) so I went a few hundred meters off course, jumping a fence, only to realise I was standing next to a sheep. In a different race I saw a UFO. That was at about the 200km mark, so that one might have been sleep deprivation and natural pain killers kicking in.

Sharing Coast to Kosci with my two brothers supporting me was great. Completing the 200 Miler in South Australia with a Instantly I felt improvements in my mental and physical health, good crew was nothing short of perfection. my confidence grew, which then had a ripple effect in other BTU: Words of wisdom for other runners? areas of my life. Everything I envisioned was happening. I’ve never stopped running with the IMF runners since, they’re the most inspiring group to be a part of.

Kieran: Run Happy as this then overflows into every part of your life.

ENTRIES FOR 2024 EVENTS OPEN ON OCTOBER 18, 2023. VISIT BRISBANETRAILULTRA.EARTH 27

EAT, SLEEP, RUN WORDS AND IMAGE: GABY VILLA

ENERGY-PACKED RISOTTO Fancy making a delicious meal the night before your race? Get in the kitchen and whip up this high-impact, energy-packed risotto and share it with us on Insta by tagging us at @trailrunmag

PREPARATION TIME: 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour SERVINGS: 4

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for trail runners. Your body uses a significant amount of carbohydrate to help you get through long, intense runs; and they predominantly come from three main sources: the glycogen stored in your liver, the glycogen stored in your muscles and the glucose circulating in your blood. Think of glycogen as your premium fuel tank – the only way to increase the carbohydrates stored in that tank is by consuming carbohydrates in your diet. This is why increasing your carbohydrate intake before long, intense efforts such as races or big training sessions is helpful to increasing your energy throughout your run, sustaining a quicker pace for longer and, consequently, improving your performance. Topping up your energy reserves before a race or activity is known as carbohydrate loading. Research has shown that carbohydrate loading for endurance athletes increases time to exhaustion by about 20% on average and improves time trial results by about 2 to 3%. By being high in carbohydrates and low in fat, this delicious tomato risotto can be a perfect meal to include as part of your carb-loading protocol ahead of your next race or as a carb-focused meal the night before your next long run.

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS

NUTRITION PER SERVING

• 1 cup arborio rice

1. Preheat the oven to 205ºC (400ºF) 2. Use a food processor to crush the tomatoes 3. In an oven safe dish, add rice, broth, crushed tomatoes and thyme. Stir well, cover the dish tightly with tin foil or a lid. Bake in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until the rice is cooked 4. Stir in the parmesan cheese (optional) and salt. Adjust seasoning to your taste 5. Enjoy!

• Calories: 264

• 3 cups vegetable broth • 4 tomatoes • 10g fresh thyme • 1tsp sea salt • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)

NOTES

• Carbohydrates: 47g • Fibre: 1g • Sugar: 1g • Protein: 9g • Fat: 4g

• Leftovers: refrigerate for up to three days • Serving size: one serving is approximately one cup • For more flavour: add zucchini, capsicum and garlic powder • For additional toppings: add basil or coriander

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Gaby Villa is a sports nutritionist, dietitian and founder of IntensEATfit who specialises in optimising performance for ultra runners by making food their best ally in sport and life. Find her online at intenseatfit.com for more info.

WHERE DOES YOUR NEXT TRAIL LEAD? FIND OUT AT MOUNTAINDESIGNS.COM

E S T. 1 9 7 5

B O R N O F T H E M O U N TA I N S

FEATURE

IF YOU LIKE IT THEN YOU SHOULDA PUT AN

Olympic RING ON IT

(You sung that, didn’t you?)

WITH AN ESTIMATED 20 MILLION PARTICIPANTS SINCE 2010, TRAIL RUNNING HAS BECOME ONE OF THE WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING SPORTS (ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD FEDERATION). WITH THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ONLY BEING A PAIR OF SHOES AND HAVING THE GREAT OUTDOORS SOMEWHERE CLOSE BY, THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 25,000 RACES ACROSS 195 COUNTRIES WITH NEARLY 2 MILLION REGISTERED COMPETITORS. SO WITH THE NUMBERS SO LARGE, ISN’T IT TIME WE GET THE SPORT RECOGNISED AT AN OLYMPIC LEVEL? KATE DZIENIS DELVES INTO THE POTENTIAL OF INTRODUCING TRAIL RUNNING TO THE OLYMPICS AND THE PARALYMPICS, AND DISCOVERS A PUSH HAS JUST STARTED, HARD AND FAST, TO GET THE SPORT INTO THE 2032 BRISBANE GAMES. WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: JOEP BUIJS, DOMINIC CHAPLIN, ELEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY, DOMINIC MURPHY

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

A runner enjoys A creek crossing at the Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra. Image: Dominic Chaplin.

FEATURE IF YOU LIKE IT THEN YOU SHOULDA PUT AN OLYMPIC RING ON IT

Runners hitting the Qld trails at the Brisbane Trail Marathon. Image: Joep Buijs.

On April 10, way back when in 1896, a group of 17 male runners gathered at the start line of the first modern Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece to run 24.8mi, or 39.9km, to the Panathenaic Stadium.

time of 2:24:52 and inspiring women everywhere to follow her lead.

I guess Louis ticked that off his bucket list and was happy to leave it at that.

Cross country running made its appearance (for men only) in the 1912, 1920 and 1924 Games, but was quickly cancelled off the program. In 2020 there was a push by World Athletics to re-introduce it at the 2024 Games in Paris, with suggestions of a 5km event that would see two men and two women per nation compete in a mixedgender race – but it was rejected. There was also news doing the rounds in 2017 that ultra running (regardless if it was meant to be track, road or trail) was successfully campaigned for and due to appear at the 2024 Games, but looking at the preliminary schedule of events dated April 2023, sadly I don’t see it listed.

It wasn’t until more than 100 years later that women were granted an addition to the marathon program, at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, with gold medal winner Joan Benoit clocking in an amazing

It’s now 2023, and trail running has, as you’re all well aware, blitzed itself on the athletic scene and is continuously gaining faster momentum than Japan’s bullet trains. From my point of view, there are a barrage

After doing a bit of research, I had to chuckle to myself when I’d learnt that 3rd Place finisher Spyridon Belokas was disqualified for ‘hitching a ride in a carriage along part of the race course’, and the winner – a Greek man by the name of Spyridon Louis – became a national hero, only to return to farm life and never race again.

of reasons why the sport deserves Olympic status, and local organising committees have incredible opportunities here to help make it happen. But it all starts with International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition, where criteria needs to be met; and of course, campaigning hard and fast to officials can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars so there’s a bit of a downside to that one. One of the best things to do, though, is to introduce trail running to officials in the year a country hosts the Games – and in our case, it’s Brisbane 2032. Trails have to be spectator-friendly and dynamic too, but let’s face it – Australia and New Zealand have some of the most beautiful locations in the world for potential courses, so I don’t think there’s much issue there. Some accessibility problems in remote areas, sure. But for start and finish lines, aid stations, and random hot spots, crowd access would be well organised with the right people involved. This is where we could

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

use it all to our advantage and form a highly experienced collective of race directors, organisers and high-profile runners to come up with ideal point-to-point options that would showcase not only the athleticism of our Aussie and Kiwi trail runners, but the beauty of this part of the world. Opportunities are endless when it comes to utilising technology in media coverage too, so I won’t go on about that because I have a million and one ideas, but one thing’s for sure – trail running is the perfect Olympic sport to encourage and entice younger generations to participate due to its accessibility and (initial) low cost, all through television and live social media recordings. In mid-2022, the Trail Running Association of Queensland (TRAQ) started the Trail Running 2032 Campaign (TR2032), a 10year plan and initiative to see trail running accepted as an Olympic sport at the Brisbane Games – both Olympic and Paralympic – created as a joint project with other trail

A runner crosses a creek at the Brisbane Trail Ultra 10km. Image: Element Photography.

Qld trail runner and coach Ben Duffus hits the Brisbane Trail Marathon. Image: Joep Buijs.

running associations and organisations across Australia.

potential of the sport in the Olympics. We had over 500 responses from clubs, groups, associations and individuals across the country.

In March 2023, TRAQ hosted the CheckPoint One trail running community summit hosted at The Precinct in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane to officially launch the campaign. TRAQ president Mike Duggan says providing opportunities for people of all abilities to be involved in safe and sustainable trail running activities is key to the long term success of the sport, and the campaign’s official launch earlier this year was a big accomplishment. “Over 100 people representing the trail running community attended in-person and virtually,” he says. “A month before, we launched the first Australian Trail Running Survey to find out what the community thought was important about trail running in Australia and the

“The survey responses formed the basis for what was discussed at CheckPoint One, which included improving access to trails for training and events, promoting and advocacy for protecting the natural environmental and cultural value of Australia’s wild places and bushland, and providing minimum standards for events to ensure safety and professionalism.” The campaign is being designed to ensure that trail running is able to accomplish so much more than just being an Olympic and Paralympic sport though, according to Mike. “The global Games are arguably the pinnacle for a competitive sport, but can act as a catalyst for global impact and change well beyond the competitive environment of the event,” he explains. 33

FEATURE IF YOU LIKE IT THEN YOU SHOULDA PUT AN OLYMPIC RING ON IT

Runner Geoff Moore traverses the single track at the Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra 20km. Image: Dominic Chaplin.

"I predict there will be endless sponsorship potentials and life-changing opportunities available if someone makes it onto the Olympic Trail Running Team…not only that, but the future of trail running will explode. Kids will really think about becoming a trail runner like they think of becoming a professional triathlete or surfer, snowboarder or mountain bike rider," Shona Stephenson. Running Association (ITRA) and other associations that, at times, represent trail running such as the Australian Ultra Runners Association (AURA) and the Australian Mountain Running Association (AMRA). “For trail running to be considered as a sport worthy of the Games, it’s clear we need high level representation in Australia; achieving this aim in the coming 12 months is important to steer this objective across the finish line.” Qld trail runner and coach Ben Duffus has a wealth of experience in the sport and comes with a strong background in podium finishes, including securing 1st placings at the 2021 Six Foot Track 45km, 2020 Brisbane Trail Ultra 60km, 2019 Australian Mountain Running Championships, the 2019 Guzzler 50km, the 2019 UTA22 and the 2019 Blackall 50km.

“We see that trail running’s long journey over the coming almost-10 years to become an Olympic and Paralympic sport could change the way people interact with the environment and develop pathways for more adaptive athletes and women to access trails in a safe and supportive way.

He grew up aspiring to one day make the Olympics in several different sports, and has even been lucky enough to watch various athletes he used to train or race with win Olympic medals. He says he would love to one day fulfill that Olympic dream with trail running.

“We want to expand the sport’s power to connect communities globally and change lives, which is what the Olympic and Paralympic dream is all about in the end.”

“I will turn 40 in 2032, so I think it’s absolutely plausible that I could still be in contention for qualifying, though it may largely depend on the format that’s implemented,” he explains.

Earlier this year, a TRAQ working group was formed to support the campaign, and in the future, TR2032 is expected to be an independent venture. A key ‘checkpoint’ in the campaign is to support the formation of a national trail running body which will provide representation to the peak body for athletics in Australia and globally, according to Mike.

“Trail running being introduced to the Olympics would be a significant step forward for the professionalism and exposure of the sport. For elites, this could mean more opportunities for support and recognition; as an Olympic sport, there is potential for far more federation and government support as well as increasing the marketability of trail runners for sponsors.

“At this stage, we have national representatives for the International Trail

“At a grass roots level, it could open up more development pathways for young

and up-and-coming athletes, as well as simply providing inspiration for the masses and promoting the sport to a far wider community. “It could bring more money into the sport too, and this can be invested in growing and developing trail running for everyone. If it also means a potential avenue for athletes to make a decent living, then that would help retain the most talented athletes (who might also have a strong potential in other endurance events). “We’re at an important stage in the process right now where the sport needs to decide what event formats will enter the Olympics, and from there we can work to determine potential development pathways for young athletes.” Brisbane Trail Ultra managing director and race director Shona Stephenson designed the BTU’s course back in 2018 with long term views and goals in mind, one of them being a finish line that was in close

TRAQ president Mike Duggan addresses attendees of the March Checkpoint One Summit event. Image: Dominic Murphy.

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proximity to the city so all demographics could enjoy the fun of trail running – whether it was for running, crewing, volunteering or simply spectating. She says Brisbane is the perfect stand-out location for the introduction of trail running into the Olympics and Paralympics. “The first question people ask me when I tell them about trail running is, ‘Is it an Olympic sport?’” she reveals. “The Olympic brand provides validation to a sport, and we knew that if we finished our event in the city, close to an Olympic venue, we could sell it to Queensland and Brisbane Tourism officials as an event worth supporting. The goal was to then attract maximum media attention while showcasing Brisbane as a destination city for trail running, plus finish a trail running event in the Gabba – less than 1km from our course. “We also wanted to prove to local and state governments that trail running could host a world event; the fastest runners can knock

off a trail marathon in under 3 hours, which still makes for excellent television coverage. A half marathon finishing on Mt Cootha would also be an epic showcase of our amazing trails and the proximity to a capital city.” Putting the sport into the hands of Olympic and Paralympic officials still requires support from athletes and the wider trail running community though, not just government and tourism bodies, and according to Shona it’s important runners stand together and support the movement. “The Olympics are a golden once-in-alifetime opportunity for trail running athletes in Australia to make the most of the ‘home’ advantage and make a name for themselves,” she says. “I predict there will be endless sponsorship potentials and life-changing opportunities available if someone makes it onto the Olympic Trail Running Team…not only that, but the future of trail running will explode. Kids will really think about becoming a trail runner like they think of

becoming a professional triathlete or surfer, snowboarder or mountain bike rider. “The media attention I believe will activate the community into supporting trail running and the lead-up Olympic events, and will also hopefully showcase the athletes’ skills as something that is truly remarkable. “I also hope that athletes will receive more sponsorship and support as the growth of the sport compounds and is able to provide for its community as well as foster the next generation of trail runners.” TO GET INVOLVED IN THE TR2032 CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP:

Email: president@traq.org.au Socials: @trailrunning2032 Website: trailrunning.org.au

FEATURE

Crossing the finish line at the 2023 Delirious WEST 200 Miler in 97:50:43. Image: Astrid Volzke.

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

Strength FOR MILES

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT TRAIL RUNNING IS THAT NO MATTER YOUR BACKGROUND, NO MATTER YOUR HISTORY, THERE ARE LIFE SKILLS YOU CAN ALWAYS BRING ACROSS TO IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY AND YOUR TECHNIQUE. NO MORE SO THAN FROM THE SPORT OF BODYBUILDING, WHERE INCREDIBLE DISCIPLINE IS THE ONLY WAY TO SEE SUCCESS. KATE DZIENIS RECENTLY LEARNED THAT WA TRAIL RUNNER BIANCA HARDING, WHO IS KNOWN FOR HER BLONDE PIGGY TAILS AND CAPTIVATING SMILE, USED TO DON THE SPARKLY BIKINIS AND TAN UP THE SKIN FOR A SPOT ON THE BODYBUILDING STAGE, AND HOW THAT HARD AND FAST SPORT HELPED HER BECOME THE ULTRA TRAIL RUNNER SHE IS TODAY.

WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: ASTRID VOLZKE, ANDREW YEATMAN, SUPPLIED

Beautiful tanned and toned bodies everywhere. No matter where you look, there’s a collage of buff silhouettes flexing their stuff and topping up last minute workouts before hitting a live stage in front of a crowd that watches competitors in sheer awe.

is so much work that goes behind each individual’s dream of being crowned winner in this world of bodybuilding. It’s a galactic world away from trail running, where hours upon hours in the gym far outweigh any cardio work, and diets are severely micro managed to ensure high protein and low carb is king and queen of the food pyramid.

And just like us trail runners get ready the morning of a race with our hydro-packs, on-the-go nutrition, drop bags, the right clothing and maybe even a spreadsheet here or there to keep track of our expected pace, bodybuilders adorn dressing rooms before standing in front of judges, clearing out their own area and strapping on bejewelled bikinis, high heels and snacks.

Bianca Harding, 40, from Padbury in WA is known to hit the state’s endurance events in her blonde pig-tails and run with her mum, Sue Robertson – always with a smile on her face and basically making the sport look like it’s the most fun thing you could ever do on this planet.

Chiseled like the Greek gods they are, there

But she wasn’t always a runner – in fact, Bianca comes with an eclectic background of sports where I’m sure she could talk to anyone

for days over. Originally a dancer-turneddance-teacher who thrived on competitions, competitiveness, big goals and getting out of her comfort zone, she turned to bodybuilding adventures in the off-season of her triathlon journey. It was 2009, and Bianca got herself into a six-week triathlon course which trained participants in all abilities. Eventually, the sport saw her compete in half Ironmans, as well as racing for Australia in the Canada World Championships and then ultimately finishing her triathlon career with a full Ironman in 2015. And then, it was time for something new. “My bodybuilding slipped in at the end of the last few years of my triathlon life before giving it all up – both of those sports – for the world 37

DARE TO DREAM STRENGTH FOR MILES

“I’d lost my memory, I had no idea what I was doing, and just stood on stage with nothing to offer. That was the end. I called it quits after that.” 2018 was Bianca’s next chapter in her life book, and it was by far the best. Both she and her mum had signed up for Wild Goose Chase, a multi-day event running festival held in the Avon Valley National Park in WA where participants camp or glamp for a long weekend. The two women knew a handful of people in the trail running community by this stage, but were excited to start a new adventure – and a less competitive one at that. of ultra running,” she reminisces. “Because hey, let’s get in a bikini, lean down and strut my stuff on a stage in front of a huge audience! “I remember comps well – before getting on the stage everyone would be pumping weights, using resistance bands to get the muscles popping…I’d stand in a line-up of 20 women waiting for my name to be called. We’d walk on stage individually, doing a routine that you’d practice for months, in front of the judges – quarter turn to the left, quarter turn to the back, and so forth until you then move to the back of the stage. “Nerves would always be high. I’d trained so hard in these high heels, praying I wouldn’t stack it.” Bianca competed in three bodybuilding competitions over the course of two years, with each line-up having, as mentioned, 20 women who she’d be up against; she says she was stoked to walk away with six trophies in six line ups.

ICN Sept 2016 2nd Place, 30+ Category 3rd Place, Bikini Mumma Category 5th Place, First Timer Category INBA Oct 2017 3rd Place, Bikini Mumma Category 5th Place, 30+ Category 5th Place, Novice Category IFBB Oct 2017 No Placing

“The IFBB is the ‘beast’ of the comp world,” she explains. “I’d just finished competing in ICN and my coach wanted me to jump straight into IFBB two weeks later. At this stage, I was hooked. I loved how I looked and felt, and couldn’t get enough. “He then put me on a keto diet and upped all my cardio to the stage where I looked and felt withered away. By the time the comp came around, I’d dropped down to less than 4% body fat and started to not have fun. I just remember stepping on stage and not feeling anything like I did the few weeks before…and that’s all I remember. Bianca took on the 2023 Light Horse Ultra 6hr in WA, finishing with 55.82km, claiming 2nd Female. Image: Andrew Yeatman.

“The race consisted of 18km on the Friday night, 45km on the Saturday and 22.5km on the Sunday; the camp grounds were the main hub with a big shed, couches, fire pits and also the start point for each event,” Bianca recalls. “Every night we’d sit around the fire, drink and tell stories of our runs that day…by the end of the weekend, we were absolutely hooked, not only with the running side of it, but with the epic community.” One would think that bodybuilding and trail running are two completely different sports – and clearly, they are. But when broken down and put side-by-side, there’s a vast amount of similarities that can be brought across into each sport, in particular from bodybuilding into trail running. To see success, both must be witness to high discipline – most sports do require some form of discipline, but to see high achievement such as winning a place on the podium, the work needs to be put in. It also requires the willingness to delay immediate gratification for the sake of bigger, more meaningful future payoffs, something that doesn’t necessarily come naturally. Bianca explains that despite bodybuilding focusing on muscle mass and trail running devoted to agility and speed, it was easy for her to bring her knowledge of the former through to the latter. “They are so incredibly similar,” she reveals. “There’s always a program to follow, if it’s a running program or a nutrition plan. I have a strong mental game and I think that’s helped from my triathlon days. I walked away from bodybuilding with such a wide ranging knowledge of food.” “I know how important it is to fuel the body

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Racing the 2022 Birdy’s Backyard Ultra in WA, where Bianca used much of her bodybuilding discipline to complete 17 laps. Image: Astrid Volzke.

DARE TO DREAM STRENGTH FOR MILES

no wonder Bianca moved into trail running without a hitch, easily transitioning to fluid movement and the ability to manoeuvre on uneven surfaces. And she doesn’t do it by halves either. Bianca has moved into the trail world fairly quickly since 2018 after Wild Goose, finding herself completing an average of about six ultra events per year. Starting off with 50km races, she made her way through to 75km, 100km and then 200 milers – her latest being the 2023 Delirious WEST 200 Miler and the Irrational SOUTH 200 Miler. “After doing quite a few distances now, I’d have to say the Delirious WEST is one of my favourite events by far!” she says. “I haven’t had a chance to venture the world with running yet, with Albany (south coast of WA) being my favourite place, you just can’t beat that finish line. TOP LEFT: Bianca (left) is seen at many trail races with her bestie, her mum Sue Robertson. Image: Astrid Volzke; TOP RIGHT: Bianca taking her ‘before’ photo pre-2023 Delirious WEST 200 Miler. Image: Astrid Volzke; BOTTOM LEFT: Bianca gets some assistance at an aid station at the 2023 Delirious WEST 200 Miler. Image: Andrew Yeatman.

and how to fuel it to succeed whether it’s in the gym or on the trails.” Other similarities between the two disciplines include both requiring recovery time to build back muscle lost and reduce the amount of lactic acid built up, both increasing blood flow for circulation, and better deep sleep. So it’s

“WTF 100 miler was my first 100 miler after my grandfather had died, and we’d raised money for the Royal Flying Doctor – definitely one of my most memorable and hardest finishes. “Dream runs for the future…I’d say Larapinta and Tarawera are certainly on the cards.”

CONTRIBUTION san juan mountains, coLORADO. IMAGE: JONATHAN CHAVES.

MAD MISSION: NINJAS ON SNOWBOUND TRAILS

THERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO EMBRACE WINTER RUNNING THAN WITH SNOW. AND ALTHOUGH THERE ARE LESS OPPORTUNITIES IN AUSTRALIA THAN IN NEW ZEALAND TO HIT THE SNOWYCOVERED TRAILS FOR YOUR DAILY DOSE OF RUNNING, THERE ARE LOTS MORE FACTORS TO CONSIDER – ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE AN AUSSIE ABROAD. KATE ALLMAN RECENTLY FOUND HERSELF EXPLORING THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS IN THE AMERICAN STATE OF COLORADO, WHERE TRAIL RUNNING THROUGH SNOW AT HIGH ALTITUDE BROUGHT WITH IT A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF CHALLENGE. SHE TESTED HER METTLE AND ALONG THE WAY, MET THE WILD LOCAL RUNNERS WHO GAVE HER ALL THE INFO SHE NEEDED. WORDS: KATE ALLMAN IMAGES: KATE ALLMAN, JONATHAN CHAVES

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Who knew air could be so brutal? The burning, biting, muscle-clenching power of it. As a trail runner who gravitates towards training in regions of relatively clean air, I rarely question the invisible fuel that oxygenates my muscles. But in February, as I stomp through the teetering peaks of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado at 2800 metres above sea level, I am meeting its suffocating and savage dual personalities. I’m in the remote mountain town of Silverton in Colorado, on an anticlockwise road trip through America’s most adventurous and outdoor-oriented state. This is an Old West frontier town that was once the epicentre of Colorado’s silver mining boom in the late 1800s. Fortunes were found and scuttled among the peaks between here and the larger centre of Durango, about an hour’s drive to the south. The town by rights should have become a ghost town when the mining boom ended in the early 20th Century. But today, a stubborn population of trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and outdoor adventurers remain in the region. They relish the raw and undulating playground of their wilderness backyard, which sits at altitudes almost double the peaks of Australia and New Zealand. Admittedly, most choose to swap their running shoes for ski boots in mid-winter when I arrive. Running through snow at this kind of altitude sees air take on harsh new identities. Sucking in huge gulps of it isn’t enough to get power to my legs. Areas of exposed skin – my cheeks and the lower part of my ear lobes sticking out from a fleecy headband – are howling. This morning is minus 10 degrees Celsius according to the weather apps but the wind chill is even more brutal. “You guys are next-level dangerous,” a local says, wide-eyed, as she passes my husband and I crunching through the snowy town to our hotel. My impression is she doesn’t often see trail runners attempting the February snow, clad in ankle-length running tights, thermal tops, windbreakers, gloves. I’m grateful for the Gore-Tex lining on my Asics Gel Trabucos keeping my feet dry, and snowadaptive Oakley Sutro sunglasses blocking this environment’s stunning white glare. I

contemplate we must look like winter ninjas. “If there’s a zombie apocalypse, I’m coming with you!” the woman shouts. I stifle a self-satisfied grin and try to keep up our snail pace. My ankles are as heavy as ski boots after less than an hour of highaltitude running at minus 10 degrees Celsius. We’re on the way back to the crackling fireplace of the Wyman Hotel on Elm Street, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Records, Altitudes & The Cold This short stint of exposure my husband and I battled through is nothing compared to the feats achieved by locals in the Silverton and Durango area. The region is home to the Colorado Trail, one of America’s most famous running and hiking routes stretching 782km between the capital, Denver in the northeast, and Durango in the state’s southwest. It’s one of the most scenic trails in the country, and admirably eco-friendly, as the entire trail was built and is maintained entirely by volunteers through an organisation called the Colorado Trail Foundation. It covers 58 peaks along the way, with its highest point sitting at an elevation of 4,045 metres. And yes – before you ask – there are plenty of wild women and men who run (or attempt to run) the entire thing. Local owner of running store Durango Running Co, Brett Sublett, was part of the first team to complete a non-stop, roundthe-clock relay across the entire trail. In 2017, he and a team of four other runners finished the track in 3 days, 15 hours, 54 minutes. There’s no official tally of times set on the Colorado Trail, but Sublett says the team’s finish time beat a supported runner’s record set earlier the same year at 8 days, 30 minutes. It even surpassed a mountain biker’s record time of 3 days, 20 hours, 46 minutes. “Where we started near Denver, there were so many parts that had easy access by road and vehicle. So, we started by running really short, fast segments, four or five miles at a time and just trying to go as fast as we could,” he explains. “There were a lot of handoffs and a lot of exchanges. Then, as we went into more 43

MAD MISSION NINJAS ON SNOWBOUND TRAILS

remote sections of the trail towards the Durango end, up in the San Juan’s, there were sections that were close to 20 plus miles because we couldn’t get any vehicle access.

summer. You need to be able to identify weather and respond – get down off the trail or hunker down if necessary.”

“I was reasonably fit but all the rest of the guys who did it with me were about 30 years younger than me. I was 51 and most of the guys I did it with were under 30.”

If the state of Colorado is the outdoor adventure capital of the US, the city of Durango where Brett lives could be the trail running capital of the state. It’s an epicentre for outdoor adventure, slightly friendlier in winter for its sunny weather and lower-altitude starting point than the snowengulfed routes we tackled at Silverton.

Most of the Colorado Trail runs above 3,000 metres. It’s the kind of altitude that trail running in Australia simply can’t measure up to. No wonder this crazy Aussie was feeling a little out of breath. However, I’m grateful to hear even Brett finds the thin air at elevation challenging. “We all spend a lot of time at elevation, but I notice it. Especially when you’re trying to run fast,” he says. “When you’re trying to push the pace, it gets really uncomfortable. My advice to runners coming to visit is that the biggest issue is often weather at elevation. Storms move in quickly, before you have time to get down. There are storms, lightning, rain, even in

Daggy Durango?

“You come to Durango because it’s in the San Juan Mountain range of the state and the peaks down here are just a little more jagged, a little steeper and a little wilder,” he says. “We have really good access to them from Durango. I can get off work and go run up to 13,000 feet after work. There’s not too many places that you can have that kind of access.” In the 1990s, USA Today famously dubbed Durango the ‘worst dressed town in America’, referring to locals who seem unable to change out of running and ski

wear, no matter the occasion. These days the title is held up as a badge of honour. To the extent that the town hosts an annual dress-up party called Snowdown at the end of January, where any combination of fluoro, lycra and daggy clothing fits the dress code. Local trail runner and Team USA athlete Anthony Kunkle loves the down-to-earth, welcoming community of athletes that his fashion-snubbing town attracts. “I’m definitely proud where I’m from. Wherever I travel abroad or in other states I’m representing Durango. I absolutely love where I live,” he says. “It’s the best place I’ve ever lived to train in the winter. We get snow but we get more sun than anywhere in Colorado. It’s high desert, just north of the border between New Mexico and Arizona. Being at the terminus of the Colorado Trail is such an interesting spot to live – where the desert meets the mountains.” If Durango is the epicentre for trail running in Colorado, Kunkle might be its unofficial mascot. He lives in a house of endurance

The historic town of Silverton, Colorado. Image: Kate Allman.

MAD MISSION NINJAS ON SNOWBOUND TRAILS

athletes just a few miles from the mouth of the Colorado Trail, on the only road in from Durango. “I’ll regularly use the last four to five miles of the Colorado Trail for my bread-and-butter training,” Kunkle says. “It feels like something really decadently privileged to have this in my backyard.” Kunkle’s home has become known as a halfway house for runners passing through. Hikers and trail runners attempting a section of the Colorado Trail often drop by for free snacks, showers, a sauna, laundry. He extends the invitation to any readers of Trail Run Mag hoping to try and run the trail themselves. “I’m happy to say to anyone reading this article who wants to go running on the Colorado Trail, I would welcome you to come and visit. We’ve got sponsor products, clothing, prototype shoes, an infrared sauna. We swim each morning in the creek, which is just above freezing temperature, and we use low red lights after sunset. We’re all about staying grounded,” he says. “If you’re in Durango and you’re into running, hit me up. No questions asked.” Kate Allman dressed for trail running in the snow in Silverton, Colorado. Image: Kate Allman.

Animas River. Image: Kate Allman.

COLORADO TRAIL ESSENTIAL GEAR CHECKLIST Shoes – staying warm requires staying dry. Opt for a waterproof, Gore-tex membrane and good grip. The Asics Gel-Trabuco 11 GT-X are a reliable choice. Sunglasses – snow blindness is a thing, so be sure to protect your eyes. Oakley Sutros use the same Prizm lens technology as their ski goggles to make vision clearer in both harsh sunlight and lower lights when the clouds move in on mountains. Bottoms – kicking up snow can make your bottoms cold really fast, so it’s good to opt for a water-repelling pant like Oakley softshells. At minimum, keep your ankles covered with long running tights and socks. Top – if you choose waterproofing in the pants, wear a more breathable layer on top. Thermals, down or fleece layers that can be peeled off and stuffed into a pocket are ideal. Gloves and headband/beanie – essentials for low temperatures, keep the skin covered and out of frostbite’s way!

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Kate Allman is a freelance sports and travel journo based in Sydney. She’s someone who rarely stands still, reporting widely for newspapers, magazines and TV. It’s fitting for the lifetime runner, who grew up training on hills in the Southern Highlands of NSW and was a state rep cross-country athlete.

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FEATURE

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

Immerse

YOURSELF IN GARIWERD LIKE A MOTH TO A FLAME, THE GRAMPIANS (GARIWERD) IN VICTORIA DRAW NATURE ENTHUSIASTS AND EXPLORERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO DISCOVER MAJESTIC WATERFALLS, DAZZLING WILDFLOWER DISPLAYS AND AWE-INSPIRING MOUNTAIN VIEWS. THE GRAMPIANS PEAKS TRAIL IS A WORLD-CLASS HIKING EXPERIENCE, BUT NOW IT’S HOME TO THE FIRST EVER GRAMPIANS PEAKS TRAIL 100 MILER EVENT – A TRAIL RUNNER’S ANSWER TO THEIR SEARCH FOR THE MOST EPIC AND SPECTACULAR TRAIL RACE DESTINATION. KATE DZIENIS GETS THE FULL LOWDOWN ON ALL OF IT THANKS TO COURSE DIRECTORS JOSEPH DORPH AND MAJELL BACKHAUSEN, AND GPT 100 AMBASSADOR LUCY BARTHOLOMEW. WORDS: KATE DZIENIS IMAGES: AARON COLLINS

Let’s face it. The truth is, trail runners are always on the hunt for the next adventure. Whether it’s on a 5km stretch of dirt that’s been found accidentally, or a flight is booked to head further than one’s own backyard, it’s something that all trail runners enjoy – exploration of the unknown. It’s exhilarating, and it’s intrepid. We can all agree. So on that note, there’s now an incredible opportunity for athletes to race in a world class destination for walking and hiking, where animal and plant life is abundant, and Aboriginal rock art paintings and shelters are ancient and full of mystery. Race the Grampians Peaks Trail 100 Miler at speed and target that PB in the wild, or take it easy and absorb every breath you take. Either way, the newest event on the trail calendar is as rugged as it is beautiful with 164km of terrain that will blow your mind. Course director Joseph Dorph initially heard of the Grampians Peaks Trail when

construction began in 2015. A location about three hours west of Melbourne, the race begins at Mount Zero (the very tip of the Grampians mountain range) and winds its way southwards towards Dunkeld.

to help clear rubbish. Even though trail runners are known to be very mindful of their environment and aren’t the type of people to litter, there can be the odd accidental drop of an item so our course clearers will help with that.”

Joseph says he had heard about the Grampians trail four years ago when it was being built, and knew that many others were already thinking about how great it would be to have a point-to-point 100 mile race at the location.

In its first year the GPT100 will be open to as many registrations as possible to see where the number falls, however there is confidence it won’t be over 300 people; a cap in the future may occur though. Already the race has between 70 and 80 registered participants for the miler, and there is hope that number will climb to around 150.

“Naturally, putting the event on seemed like a no-brainer,” he reveals. “A trail was created so that people could experience a continuous single track from north to south, and a lot of the sections were purpose built whilst some bits were already there. For walkers, it provides a 12 or 13-day trek with 12 camp sites along the route. “Part of our application to see the GPT100 run smoothly and successfully is to have course clearers who will take markers once the race is finished, but also

With runners due to start at Mt Zero picnic area, Joseph assures there is more than enough room for everyone to spread out and stagger onto the course when it’s time to get going, and explains the terrain for those who are yet to do a recon. “The technicality of the terrain I’d say is more like a 6 out of 10,” he reveals. “It is a very technical trail in some sections; a good chunk of it is very 49

GNARLY TALES IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GARIWERD

runnable single track with a good solid 50% of technical or rocky terrain. Elevation is getting up there, about 8,000m of ascent which is a lot for Australia. “With a 50-hour cut off, we think that’s a generous length of time to get through the distance, but at the same time I like to think it will be classified as one of the harder races in Australia.” Well known trail runner Majell

Backhausen has taken on the role as course director with Joseph and turned into an ambassador to ensure there is a clear understanding of the trail itself as well as the surroundings of the trail. He says this includes working with Traditional Owners and the local community, and showing the broader spectrum of people how the GPT could not only be used as a track for a 100 miler event, but how it’s used and viewed differently as to how a hiker would see it.

“Trail runners move over landscapes a lot quicker and therefore carry less gear but it’s important to still provide support to them where we see it’s needed,” he explains. “Logistically, it’s asking ourselves how do we make sure we have the minimum things available to trail runners like medical necessities, food and water, and how can they get to certain spots we feel would be more ideal for runners to run through.

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“What I mean is, when you’re running over the landscape, you see it in a completely different way – the way the trail is currently marked is probably quite minimal for a trail race, so it’s about getting an understanding of how best to mark the trail because runners quickly move past hiking chevrons and may not see them. By the time they realised, they may not see the right way to go because some paths are not necessarily defined due to rock formations.

“We have a strong connection to the Traditional Owners via the local shire, council and so through the process of submitting permits, we’ve been able to speak with them about how this would affect the way that they see the land being used and all that protocol that’s needed. “You learn so much about the landscape through tradition owners so it’s important for everyone involved that we do everything right; and Gariwerd as it’s known is very complex in terms

of its Native Title – there isn’t just one Traditional Owner group, there’s a number, and the history of it is fascinating and quite complex to try and understand fully.” Majell says the local community is thrilled to see a big event like the GPT100 coming to town, and he explains that despite there being a few other races in and around Halls Gap, the hype of it all always excites those living in the area.

GNARLY TALES IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GARIWERD

“I’ve been working with a chap named Adrian who is the only person permitted to do guided walks/tours on the Grampians Trail,” he says. “Adrian’s knowledge and his support and freedom to share information has been so incredible; it’s fantastic to work closely with people like Adrian. And look, if we have a lot of people coming for the event, it will definitely test the area’s boundaries – Halls Gap does appear really resourced and big, but in actual fact it is still a ‘small town’ so we don’t want to put too much strain on the town and its people.” Australian trail running extraordinaire and international podium finisher Lucy Bartholomew needs no introduction. As the country’s trail running sweetheart, she has come on board as the GPT100’s ambassador to entice and encourage individuals to visit the Grampians and experience firsthand the beauty and charm of the region. “When I visited it for the first time, I simply fell in love with everything the Grampians has to offer,” she breathes. 52

“My dad has done races in the area, but those events tend to fall on my schedule when I’m overseas, and because I’ve been on a bit of a time crunch it was tricky to always get over there. It’s definitely been an intriguing location and now this is a wonderful opportunity for me to get over there and really take in the scenery. “When I got to the Grampians for the first time, I thought it was really gnarly and unique bush. It’s very organic, very rocky and challenging, it’s totally brutal but at the same time it’s incredibly beautiful and iconically Australian. I love the way the trail has been built, it’s not filled with handrails or metal that you tend to see at national parks sometimes. “Just driving in, you go through flat farmlands and then suddenly the Grampians appear out of nowhere. When you get there and wnder through town, when you talk to the people and hang out at the café, then hit the trails, I feel like all expectations are exceeded immensely. There’s a reason why people have gone once, only to return again and again. “This is a place that grabs you at the heartstrings.” In late May, Lucy – together with Joseph and Majell – held a weekend camp, hosting up to 50 runners to recce the trails and immerse themselves in

the land. It was an opportunity to get feedback from participants, and Lucy says she spent time with people who were ‘gobsmacked’ over the terrain. “It was cool to see them each day show up a little bit uncertain, a little bit nervous… and then totally fall in love and take that time to traverse, stop, and breathe it all in,” she reveals. “At one point, Maj asked the group to sum up their experience and what they thought of the trail – no one answered without a swear word in it. It was either really fucking hard or really fucking beautiful (we both laugh).” With international race commitments in the lead up to the GPT100, Lucy will be doing the event’s 4-day stage race socially so she can be amongst the people and connect and support them. “This will be a great way for me to experience the trails in four leisurely days tied in with a lot of sleeping, a lot of eating, and just being a part of the community. I’m really looking forward to stage racing such a unique event – what a fantastic way to end the year!” For all the info about the GPT100, head to gpt100.com.au where registrations are still open.

ADVERTORIAL WORDS: SAM MAFFETT. IMAGES: NOÉKO

WHY DO WE RUN…?

Why do we run? What inspires us to brave the cold early mornings, the darkness of winter or the time away from family and friends to go and run? If you’re anything like us then it’ll be summed up by some of these key words: camaraderie, satisfaction, fitness, landscapes and adventure. This is the life blood of trail running and central to why we do what we do… and if there is one event that brings all this together for anyone to experience it’s got to be the Great Southern Stage Run held in south-west Western Australia. The Great Southern Stage Run is a 3-day stage running event over a spectacular 200km course along large sections of the phenomenal Bibbulmun Track between Walpole and Albany. What sets it apart from other stage races is the relay team aspect that allows runners to be involved without needing to tick-off 70km day after day after day. With 4 team members, competitors will run just one leg per day covering between 10km to 26km each to complete the journey. The inaugural event brought teams from across Australia and generated an incredible sense of camaraderie as runners shared stories, equipment and injury updates from one day to the next. Soon teams were no longer competing against each other but running with each other through a wild and untouched landscape. Check-point locations became social hubs where participants would chat and cheer everyone through whilst

waiting to high-five their own team runner and the exchange of timing chip. Stage races have a certain amount of majesty to them – they become a journey shared with others; where you build new friendships, share your experiences and become one on the trail. Add in a team option and it makes this achievable for any runner! “This race exceeded my expectations on so many levels! The challenge, the camaraderie, the stunning scenery… I absolutely loved every minute, especially making so many on-track friends.” Emma, relay team participant 2022. The Great Southern region of WA is a trail runners paradise and offers acourse that is equal parts challenging and rewarding, making it one of Australia’s jewels! The rugged, untamed coastline that’s flanked by lush vegetation and quaint touristy villages provides a range of amazing landscapes for the event. From the majestic Tingle and Karri trees in the Valley of the Giants near Walpole to the picturesque finish line on the Torndirrup Peninsula near Albany, runners will traverse a course that pushes their limits while showcasing the region's natural beauty. The 200km point to point route provides an incredible sense of journey as you traverse a landscape rich with diversity, life and interest. Frequent checkpoints mean you’re never too far away from your friends whilst the endless single track fills your soul and drains your legs. Satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.

“The trails were rugged, varied and beautiful with a different view around every corner. It was such a buzz to share it with my team mates over the 3 days, cheer each other on and complete it together.” - Kyle, relay team participant 2022. If your wellbeing cup isn’t full after running trails all day, then relaxing postrace with a beer from local Wilsons Brewing and comparing war stories with your new friends should have you feeling fulfilled. The event provides optional group accommodation at the finish lines - low cost and with meals cooked and prepared for you(!) it’s the perfect end to the perfect day. Logistics made easy and camaraderie complete! So if you love your running and want an event that embraces the reasons why we do what we do, then gather your crew and head west for the Great Southern Stage Run for an odyssey you’ll never forget.

• • • • •

16 – 18 November, 2023 Relay Teams of 4, running 1 leg each per day Limited solo entries Walpole to Albany, WA GreatSouthernStageRun.com.au

FEATURE

KISSING THE ROADS

Goodbye

MOST PEOPLE, WHEN THEY START RUNNING, LACE UP THEIR SHOES AND BEGIN BY HITTING THE PATHS, PAVEMENTS OR ROADS…THEY MIGHT EVEN HOP ON THE ODD TREADMILL HERE AND THERE. AND MOST OF THE TIME (WELL, UP UNTIL THE LAST FEW YEARS ANYWAY), RACES WERE DONE ON ROADS, OR AT THE VERY LEAST ON FLAT SURFACES. THAT’S HOW ISOBEL TAIT BEGAN RUNNING, UNTIL SHE CONSIDERED TAKING HER SPORT TO THE TRAILS TO GET AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF EVERYDAY LIFE. IT GOT HER THINKING AND WONDERING WHY OTHERS GRAVITATED TOWARDS THE TRAILS, AND WHAT TOOK THEM AWAY FROM BEING A ‘ROADIE’.

WORDS: ISOBEL TAIT IMAGES: SUPER SPORTS IMAGES, PHOTOS4SALE, GARRY WYNARDS

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MICK KEYTE

50, ADELAIDE (SA) Mick started running 18 years ago at the tender age of 32. A mate rang him up the night before the Barossa Half Marathon saying he was going to run, and wanting to know if Mick would join him. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Mick was in. He busted that one out with no training in a swift 1:29 time. This led to 14 marathons, with a PB of 2:39. That was enough of the marathons for Mick, so he tried his hand at the Ironman, and seven of those later, he needed a new challenge – the trails were calling! Not one to take half measures, Mick’s first trail race was the Yurrebilla 56km. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best day for him, but it didn’t stop him – it simply lit a fire in his belly to keep going and do more. Mick has raced trails all over the world, his favourite place the Dolomites in Italy, and says he’s enthralled with trails because of the people. “I find the people are much more friendly and approachable compared to road runners,” he says. “Whether you’re an elite runner or a backof-the-pack runner, everyone is considered equal and approachable. Everyone encourages each other on, unlike road running that’s very competitive and where no words are exchanged.

Mick Keyte catches some air at the 2022 Great Kanku-Breakaways Marathon in Coober Pedy, SA. Image: Garry Wynards.

“You get to meet so many runners in trail ultras and can chat for hours and push each other along making long lasting friendships.”

RUNNING ON IMPACT: KISSING THE ROADS GOODBYE

Garry Scurry now only enters trail races, and was snapped having the time of his life at the 2021 Surf Coast Century. Image: Photos4sale.

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GARRY SCURRY 62, MELBOURNE (VIC)

Grant didn’t begin running seriously until his mid-30s, and hit the roads and pavement because ‘that’s just what everyone did.’ While learning about the sport, he’d noticed road events were quite prominent, and entering a marathon appeared to be the goal that most athletes would aim for. At the time, he’d never heard of trail running before and even though he lived close to Mt Dandenong in Melbourne, with kilometres upon kilometres of trails, it had never crossed his mind to go up there and start discovering the off-road tracks. “I guess I just followed the crowd and hit the roads,” he says. “I had also joined a road running club and all our weekly runs were on the roads and bike tracks.” But then Grant learned about Oxfam Trailwalker, and it gave him the push to try trails for the first time. He went on to complete the Two Bays 28km and now Grant only races in trail events, saying he loves the constantly changing environment and challenges of the terrain that make him a stronger runner. “There’s nothing better than a long trail run with friends to just forget about life for a while and enjoy the fresh air and scenery,” he explains. “I find I can escape daily life for a while I’m out on a trail run.” 57

RUNNING ON IMPACT: KISSING THE ROADS GOODBYE

CHERYL MARTIN 43, MELBOURNE (VIC)

Scottish-born Cheryl ran her first 3km cross-country race in her teens, finding a rush of endorphins that made her want to try it again. After a few London marathons at 18 and 20, she then settled into jogging a couple times a week between study and work. Throughout her 20s and early 30s, the occasional half marathon was thrown in for good measure, and at this point Cheryl was an exclusive road runner. Once landing in Australia, she signed up for Melbourne Marathon where she discovered a community of runners who also took to the trails. Altogether, they signed up for the Two Bays Trail Run, and as she hit offroad for training, Cheryl’s trail community continued to grow, joining the Dandenong Trail Runners. “Sunday training sessions followed by brunch and chatter,” she explains when asked what she loves about it all. “Long runs, with highs and lows, and conversations ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. Many of us are running not just for physical health but also our mental, emotional and social wellbeing. “I love the trails because roads are a bit monotonous and hard on the body these days. I enjoy being out in nature and challenging myself over mountains and varying terrain.”

Cheryl Martin is snapped all smiles during the 2023 21km Sharpy’s Beer Run. Image: Photos4sale.

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BEC COULTAS

35, DIAMOND CREEK (VIC) Fairly new to running, Bec only started the sport four years ago after volunteering at a local run and deciding to want be a part of the fun. She joined the Diamond Creek Runners and her friends there all ran roads, so she initially started running where they did. In 2020, Bec ran a qualifying time for the Two Bays Trail Run and decided to give it a go – without any knowledge of how different a trail race could be. She started running a few local trails to train for the event and whilst doing so, realised how much more she enjoyed off-road. “I’m a fairly numbers driven person as I think many runners are; I have a tendency to become obsessed with running further and faster than I have previously and can easily fall into the trap of not knowing when to stop, listen to my body and just enjoy the run,” she explains. “The trails have made me relax and appreciate my surroundings while I’m out running without the pressure of continuously bettering myself. Trail running also has an amazing community of like-minded people, so inclusive and really out there to help one another. “I’ve loved becoming a part of it.”

Bec Coultas found a love for trail running and races here at the Plenty Gorge Trail Running Series. Image: Photos4sale

RUNNING ON IMPACT: KISSING THE ROADS GOODBYE

MELISSA THEK 43, WARRAGUL (VIC)

Melissa started running in 2010 as a way of helping her lose weight and to challenge herself to try something new. She stopped running a couple years later, then started again post-kids with weight-loss again as her goal. According to her, she ran on the treadmill and roads because that’s what everyone else was doing, but eventually Melissa hired a coach to help her run faster marathons. This particular coach ran trails, which inspired Melissa to give it a red hot crack too. She was converted. “On the trails, your success is not measured by your kilometre time; it’s measured by your achievement,” she says. “Meeting the cut-offs, navigating technical terrain and finishing is the achievement. Most importantly, though, trail runners are like a family. No matter what, they stop to help, encourage and assist. “You might run a trail alone, but you’re never fully alone.” Today, Melissa no longer runs for weight loss – she runs purely for personal achievement, saying the sport allows her to fully switch off for a few hours. “Trail running challenges me and teaches me just how hard my mind can push my body,” she reveals.

Melissa Thek pushes through in the 2023 28km Two Bays Trail Run. Image: Super Sport Images.

FEATURE

THE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE: POST RACE ‘BLUES WORDS: PAUL WATKINS IMAGES: SUPPLIED CW // Mental Health, Depression TRM would like to advise that this article focuses on Paul Watkins’ lived experience, and therefore discusses mental health and depression. We understand that this discussion may be difficult for those in our community who also suffer from these disorders, and have included support services at the end of the article.

YOU’VE TRAINED AS HARD YOU CAN, PUTTING IN THE ALL-CONSUMING WORK TO DEDICATE YOUR ATTENTION TO RUNNING, STRENGTH TRAINING, CROSS TRAINING AND NUTRITION IN A BID TO PREPARE FOR YOUR A RACE. BUT SOMETIMES AFTER YOU CROSS THAT FINISH LINE AND HAVE THE MEDAL AROUND YOUR NECK, A FEELING OF SADNESS CAN SET IN FOR DAYS, WEEKS OR EVEN MONTHS. PAUL WATKINS RETELLS HIS TIME GOING THROUGH THE POST RACE ‘BLUES’, AND MAPS OUT SOME STRATEGIES THAT HELPED HIM RECOVER AND IDENTIFY HIS EMOTIONS. 62

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It was like a Hollywood movie script, a true hero’s journey. A race of epic proportions, I had dreamed about it, trained and sacrificed; travelled the breadth of the Earth to stand at the start line. Only to quit, DNF at 250km mark, broken, frozen, hallucinating, fractured and busted. But the hero’s journey continued. I limped home to discover the wisdom hidden within the failure (insert Rocky-style training montage and an eventual return to the start line in a foreign land). Not only did I conquer the race that second time, finally reaching the finish line on the shores of a frozen Arctic Ocean, but I stood on top of the podium, conquering all and sundry, demons within and competitors without. It literally, literally could not have gone better. So why can’t I sleep? Why am I snapping at those I love? Why am I lost at sea, so to speak? I dedicated three years of my athletic life to a singular goal and reached the very pinnacle but the post credit scenes were not the fireworks, adulation or clarity I had imagined. It was a black dog and a sea of confusion. “I have a giant bottomless pit inside of me that I keep throwing accomplishments into. Diplomas, certificates, degrees, races, job titles...once I finish the 10km, I have lost interest in it. I need to do 15km. Once I get a bachelors degree, I need a Masters; then a PhD. I can never fill this pit. I

shouldn’t try. But the second I finish something, I forget it and hunger for the next.” – Jon Foreman. What fresh hell is this? I won the race, but fell into a hole. It seemed like a crappy gift to be honest, and I cycled through the inevitable questions – what’s wrong with me? Shouldn’t I be elated? Why does everyone else seem fine? Only everyone else wasn’t fine, either. I had a conversation with a mate via messaging in March this year – Tim Hamlin, a fellow Aussie who had just finished the same Arctic race I’d conquered in 2019. We had both attempted and DNF’d the race in 2017, spending several days and nights together on the frozen trail. By 2023 he had put six years of his life into it, planning, attempting, visualising, sacrificing. And in a brutally tough year he had finally slayed the demon and made it to the finish line (in a race where 80 per cent of competitors start but don’t finish). “I’m a bit lost, mentally and emotionally; don’t know if I’m happy or sad,” Tim told me. I responded, letting him know I was semidepressed for about six months after the 6633 Arctic Ultra; that I had no idea what was going on with me. “We need to talk, I’ve got to sort this out,” Tim said.

Call it what you like – post race blues, the come down, the gaping hole where my event used to sit. It’s real, it’s common and we need to talk about it. A short disclaimer first. I’m not a psychologist nor am I a counsellor. I’m a WFH Dad juggling kids, jobs, training and trail time. So take this all with a grain of electrolytes, but if I can share some experiences and help cobble together a map to help navigate the post-race landscape then I think it’s worth the time and effort. I put the call out previously, asking around my circle who else had experienced this? Turns out, damn near everyone. I got messages from triathletes, Ironmen, combat veterans, ultra runners. I was reliably informed that even astronauts get it. The common thread was that there would be a big goal, it would be conquered, and then the wind would get sucked out of the sails. So let’s tackle the potential reasons and then map some strategies; putting the scientist hat on, we can demystify some of this. Huge events place a massive toll on the endocrine system. Homeostasis, the state of balance, gets well and truly abandoned as we flood the system with cortisol, inflammatory markers and all manner of biochemical deprivation. So it’s no surprise there is a time and toll for recovery. A post-race pizza and beer feels good, but you’ve got bigger bills. We are trying to right the biological ship and 63

IT’S A RUNNER’S LIFE THE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE: POST RACE ‘BLUES’

that takes time, and during that time, your body and mind is floating in a chemical soup that’s as helpful as a cold bowl of gruel at an aid station. Then there’s the mental and emotional component. Suddenly we aren’t training as much – or even at all. Nutrition slides, sleep slides, mood follows biology. Is it any surprise we find ourselves careening down a very different kind of slope? Take some comfort though that this happens to the very best of ‘us’. After winning a record breaking eight gold medals at Beijing in 2008, Michael Phelps said, ‘I took some wrong turns and found myself in the darkest place you could ever imagine.’ He admitted to barely training for 2012, a DUI in 2014 and a stint in rehab before finally climbing back to competitive success. Turns out humans will be human. Peaks, troughs, summits and valleys, we all have to navigate but now it’s time to set up patterns and behaviours to get us prepared for postrace life. Let’s find a way to navigate the interstitial space between events in a positive and healthy way. Here’s my two cents worth. You Are Not Your Strava Profile Unless you’re a pro athlete, you probably have other stuff going on in your life and I bet dollars-to-donuts that plenty of that ‘other 64

stuff’ is completely awesome. Remember that training and racing is something you do, it’s part of the mosaic, and unless you’re doing it to pay the bills, let it be a chapter of your story, not the entire book. Embrace The Journey By developing a love of the practice of training, the process, the actual work of getting to the start line, we can build a healthier relationship with the end point. The race can morph from some identity-defining moment on which we hang everything, into a reward, a chance to reap the reward of the hard hours and sacrifices. It becomes a celebration, not an exam. And this isn’t unique to us runners – turns out it’s kind of a human thing. “Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation and perceptions…the single most important thing is making progress in meaningful work.” – The Power of Small Wins, Amabile & Kramer, HBR. Yep. I just quoted Harvard Business Review in Trail Run Mag. Hello Feelings, My Old Friend If you’ve run an ultra you know that there comes a moment when you fall to the bottom of the well. Everything hurts and you want to quit. The trick is to greet those emotions as a visitor we were expecting, say hi, acknowledge them and then keep moving along as we wait

for the right time to usher them out the door. You are not your emotions. You are your reaction to them. Don’t fight the inevitable. Expect it, sit with it all awhile, and remember that this too shall pass. Tell Your Story I love a good race report. I’ve written plenty myself. Most of which have never seen the light of day. But it can be a healthy and constructive way to relive and review. Step back and see what you did achieve, what you overcame. Re-order and re-orient it all in your mind. To broadcast, even if it’s to yourself, that it is indeed enough. If it helps, share your story with others, reach out, post it in your favourite running group, go for a recovery run with some mates. If the storm won’t clear, talk to a professional. You wouldn’t hesitate to get a massage or see your physio or chiro so why not someone to help you work out the knots and soreness between your ears? When The Light Shines Now that we’ve chatted about what it looks like when it feels rough, let’s shine some lights and lift the mood. What does it look like when it feels good? The world needs fewer pontificators and more practitioners so it’s all fine and dandy for me to sit here typing away about how to

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be the happiest trail runner in the world, but can I take my own medicine? Good question. I did take my own medicine and here’s what happened. After conquering the 614km 6633 in 2019 I admit that I did fall into a deep dark hole. It was unexpected, painful and confusing. For a very long time I struggled with the desperate need to fill that gaping void with another event of equally ridiculous proportions. The blues are real and I’ve seen and experienced this personally many, many times in my coaching business. The key is to allow time for the dust to settle, process your goals, drive, or motivation, then kick on with the next ‘thing’. But the next ‘thing’ doesn’t have to be another massive endurance event, as quoted by coach and athlete Mark Whittle. Mark and I have both raced across some of the frozen expanses of the world and I took his advice this heart. I’m not the next event; neither is my TSS (training stress score). My ‘major event’ scorecard sat empty for three long years until I found the right event for me at a time that was right from me. In March 2023 I headed to Sweden to race in the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra, a 503km backcountry single stage self-supported race through Europe’s last great wilderness. It was brutal, and after eight soul crushing non-stop

days of grind and grit in -35c, I crossed the finish line and claimed second place.

was enough. I didn’t need the next thing; that’s what other people want.

But the real victory for me was what happened next.

I came home to family, friends, recovery, work, laughter and no training. And no black dog.

I reflected on the sheer volume of work it took to even get to the start line. I rejoiced in the clarity and quiet that comes after such an event where you spend over a week, 24 hours a day operating totally alone in silence. The race very nearly broke me, in every way, but I drew solace and pride from knowing that my training sustained me and allowed the delivery of a performance I honestly thought was completely beyond my capacity. It became a celebration of my training and preparation. I wrote my race report and realised that it was enough. That I was enough. That the result

And sure enough, about two weeks after I got home, that little voice said, ‘Can we go for a run?’ Because we love the work, the freedom of the trails and when we stack enough work together we get the reward to race again. TRM is hopeful that by amplifying Paul’s message, we’re helping raise awareness about mental health and depression post-race. If this story resonates with you or anyone you know, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (AU) or 0800 543 354 (NZ).

FEATURE FROM THE RACE DIRECTOR

A 42km competitor with Mt Skedaddle and the Organ Range in the foreground. Image: Malcolm McRae.

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IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS WORDS: RICHARD NEGUS IMAGES: MALCOLM MCRAE, JACK PREBBLE As the world continues to place greater importance on ethical consumption, it has become increasingly important for endurance races to align with these principles. You could argue that runners nowadays are not only looking for events that provide an honest challenge but ones that also place an emphasis on sustainability and the environment. These themes were the centerpiece on a stunning autumn day at Island Hills Station in April. Race Director Richard Negus gives us the low-down on Skedaddle, a brand new New Zealand trail running event where nature is the number one motive.

Yonni Kepes gallops towards the home straight having just refuelled at the historic Bush Hut aid station in the 30km Skedaddle race. Image: Malcolm McRae.

29 APRIL 2023 – NORTH CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND: After almost two years of hard work and having navigated the storm that was COVID-19, the time finally came to welcome runners from across Aotearoa to a hidden gem at the foot of the Southern Alps. The majestic Island Hills Station, located about an hour and a half north of Christchurch, was to become centre stage for a brand new trail running event called Skedaddle. The race was conceived as a means of raising funds for conservation work within the Mandamus Preservation Reserve. This 3,300ha un-grazed area includes one of the largest QEII Open Space Covenants in Canterbury. To enable conservation activities such as pest, predator and weed control, the farm generates limited resources from Manuka honey, Beech

honeydew and tourist activities. Most of the conservation work is carried out by volunteers and recreational hunters. Property owners Dan and Mandy Shand set a lofty goal of one day reintroducing the iconic kiwi to this hidden corner of North Canterbury and what better way to raise awareness than a trail run through their backyard! Aptly named after the highest peak on the property, Mt Skedaddle (1704m), the event saw hundreds of runners from across Aotearoa sign up to #RunForNature. With four race distances on offer, Skedaddle had something for everyone. The longest course, and what is considered the flagship race, is the 42km ‘Two Tunner’, which was given its name due to the 2000m+ of elevation gain. The 30km ‘Wilderbeast’ offers a slightly

shorter option for those wanting to experience a slice of the pristine native bush and striking mountain vistas. Short and steep, the 15km ‘Dozer Line’ course climbs to the highest elevation of all four races via a steep track that was carved out by a well-known local bulldozer. The 4km ‘Weaning Muster’ rounds things out and provides the little ones with a whirlwind tour of the farm and expansive views of Mt Skedaddle and the impressive Organ Range. Taking on the role of Race Director for a brand new event brings with it a lot of pressure but also bucket loads of excitement. Being able to shape the event at every step of the way is about as liberating as it gets. And as a passionate trail runner, you do not want to leave a single stone unturned when it comes to

FEATURE FROM THE RACE DIRECTOR

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organising an event for your fellow trail running buddies! I remember the day I first met Shaun Monk, the Walking Track Operator at Island Hills Station. Often referred to as the ‘Bush Janitor’, Shaun is the face of the Island Hills Station Walking Track and the man primarily responsible for developing and maintaining the vast network of trails. His passion for the outdoors is infectious and following a whirlwind tour of the property, I simply knew that we had to deliver a trail running race. Fast-forward 18 months from our initial meeting and without the threat of COVID-19 cancelling events, we finally got to work on launching Skedaddle. The role of a Race Director is perhaps one of the most varied of all professions and one that is often misunderstood. One minute you can be writing health and safety plans, coordinating volunteers or liaising with sponsors; the next minute you’re out on the trails with a backpack full of signage and flagging tape! That is why I enjoy the role so much since no two days are ever the same. The time and effort required to stage a race of this scale is monumental and without the support of the Event Goals team and our amazing volunteers, Skedaddle certainly wouldn’t have been possible. The lead-up to race day typically involves long hours but you always manage to adapt and get through the never ending list of tasks without ever losing any enthusiasm. I guess that comes down to the fact that you’re always focused on delivering a first-class athlete experience; a mantra that was shared by myself and the rest of the event team. Ultimately, you want your participants to go away from the race feeling elated, despite how sore their bodies may feel. Before you know it, race day is upon you and the nerves begin to set in. “Have we marked the course to the highest possible standard? Have we made it too challenging? Will the athletes like the medals?” There are a myriad of thoughts circulating in your mind in the

hours before the klaxon sounds. And then of course there is always the weather to contend with. Fortunately, the weather gods were looking out for us this year and it turned out to be a spectacular North Canterbury day. My focus has always been centered on making memories. If you create something special then people will naturally find out about it and support it in whatever way(s) they can. Whether that is by sponsoring, volunteering or participating. When we first set the ambitious goal of welcoming 400 runners to Island Hills Station, we knew that it was going to be a monumental challenge, especially for a first-time event. With so many standout races to choose from, and considering the rising cost of living, who was going to be prepared to put their hand into their pocket and sign up to our race? To our delight, over 420 runners committed themselves to run for nature at the inaugural race. An achievement that ranks near the very top for myself and the team who have given so much to bring Skedaddle to life. It’s hard to describe the feeling as you watch scores of runners cross the finish line, all from different walks of life and all having achieved their own personal goals. Everyone’s journey to the

start line is different and so too are their motivations to run. And that is the beauty of the sport of trail running and the incredible community that has been built up around it. I’m excited to see where this special event will go in the future and how the proceeds will help to restore biodiversity for future generations to enjoy as they skedaddle along the trails! If you are looking for a new trail run to add to your calendar for 2024 then look no further than Skedaddle! Visit skedaddle.co.nz to find out more. Event: Skedaddle Location: Island Hills Station, North Canterbury, NZ Distances: 42km, 30km, 15km, 4km When: 27 April, 2024 Info: skedaddle.co.nz Left page, clockwise:

. Aaron Shaskey crosses the Glencoe River footbridge in the early stages of the 42km Skedaddle race Image: Jack Prebble.

. A 30km runner with Mt Skedaddle and the Organ Range in the foreground. Image: Malcolm McRae.

. 10-year-old Lilliana Roberts took 1st Female in the Kids 4km Skedaddle. Image: Jack Prebble.

. 15km Skedaddle entrant Victoria Whitmore gets a high five from the sidelines as she comes in to the finish line. Image: Jack Prebble. This page:

. The start of the 42km Skedaddle. Image: Malcolm McRae. 69

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CONTRIBUTION

THAT 50KM

Hook

WORDS: ANIKA WARREN-SMITH IMAGES: PHOTOS4SALE

TRAIL RUNNING HAS BEEN A SAVIOUR FOR A VAST ARRAY OF PEOPLE. FROM ESCAPING THE EVERYDAY GRIND TO FINDING THEMSELVES AGAIN AND REDISCOVERING THEIR TRUTH. VICTORIAN ANIKA WARREN-SMITH WENT FROM ROAD TO TRAIL RUNNING IN 2013, REVELLING IN EVERYTHING THAT SURROUNDED HER – FROM THE TERRAIN AND NATURE-SCAPES, TO THE COMMUNITY WHO SUPPORTED HER. IT WASN’T UNTIL 2022 THAT SHE BIT THE BULLET, THOUGH, AND TRAINED FOR HER VERY FIRST 50KM. TODAY, SHE SHARES WITH TRAIL RUN MAG READERS THE KNOWLEDGE SHE GAINED, EXPLAINING HOW SHE DID IT AND WHAT WORKED BEST FOR HER. When I started writing about preparing for my first ultramarathon, the practical stuff first came to mind. Training plans, gear, nutrition, etc. Whilst all of those are important, and I will get to them later, I realised they were not the most important for me. The key element I needed before anything else was the belief that I could do this because for quite some time, I had diminished my trail running efforts. I’m just a short-course runner…I’m very slow…I could never run a half-marathon.

To give you some background on my running history, I began in 2012 by downloading the C25K app. I’m sure I nearly died attempting the first run of 8x1-minute intervals. On the second attempt, I took my toddler son in the pram and remember him looking around at me somewhat concerned by his puffing red-faced mother! Who knew your arms were so important when running? But the hook with running is how quickly you can see improvements. By the end of the 3-month program, I was rather chuffed when I managed 20 minutes of non-stop running.

That kind of talk. On reflection, I can see this had certainly been holding me back from challenging myself to extend beyond my comfort zone.

The following year, I discovered trail running and didn’t look back. Even though I was not great at going up hills, I loved the challenging terrain and the

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CONTRIBUTION THAT 50KM HOOK

beautiful places I was running through as well as the camaraderie of the trail running community. My results improved consistently every year, yet I still didn’t see myself as being good enough to extend much beyond 10km and certainly did not consider myself an athlete. Slowly but surely though, my runs began to get longer and in 2019 the unthinkable happened. I did something I said I’d never do – I entered a half-marathon. I picked the prettiest (though not necessarily easiest) course I could find to try and make it a bit more bearable, the 23km Great Ocean Road Running Festival half. This was purely to qualify for a 20km trail event I wanted to have a crack at in Gariwerd/the Grampians. Qualifier achieved, I ran that race. The Wonderland 20km was my longest and toughest trail run ever. It was awesome and I was starting to think bigger, but still only slightly bigger. I was in awe of ultrarunners, but I could never do that. Perhaps though, I’d be able to manage a leg of the Surf Coast Century with a team. Surely 25km would be achievable? Then came 2020. On the other side of COVID restrictions, I returned to running at a level that my body wasn’t ready for. My fitness had taken a hit after too much homemade sourdough and more walking than running. One of the (few) lockdown silver linings was time for introspection and working on myself, and by the end of 2021 there had been a significant mindset shift. I finished a Masters I’d been doing for more than five years and had the confidence I 74

needed to apply for a job after 14 years out of the workforce. I was honestly stunned when offered a position! Here I was starting a brand new career, as a grad mind you, at age 46.

With a strong purpose underpinning why I was doing this, I signed up at the end of April and had 16 weeks to prepare.

Somehow managing to maintain a base running level, I had just finished the GOR half again with a Wonderland 20 qualifying time, when an ultra running friend suggested I do the SCC50km. I think I scoffed at the idea, but a seed had been planted. If he thought I could do it, then maybe it was possible.

The first thing I did was source a couple of training guides – the Hanny Alston’s trail marathon planner which was provided with event registration, and the 50km program created by runner Sam Gash and the Her Trails team. I printed a calendar and planned out a training schedule that would fit around work and family commitments.

For two weeks I thought about it. Then I started verbalising those thoughts. The idea became more appealing; I was finding my return to the workforce quite an adjustment. The learning curve was huge and often left me feeling exhausted. I knew if I didn’t have a goal, exercise could easily fall by the wayside.

My existing weekly training load was three runs, two yoga classes, one pilates/barre class, and one to two walks. Not much changed with my new plan except that I increased it to four runs per week and focused on gradually building my timeon-feet (TOF). To avoid over-training and potential injury, I would factor in a lighter TOF week every month or so.

There was also another, deeper reason why I was drawn to the challenge. It was inevitable that things were soon going to become very hard at a much more personal level. My mum was living on borrowed time, having run out of options to treat her lung cancer. Amidst all this I needed something that was just for me, something to ground me, and time to think of everything or nothing at all. I needed running-in-nature therapy. The fact that the race starts and finishes in Anglesea on the GOR, a place that my mum and I have deep connections to, sealed the deal.

Training – Obviously!

I tried to get as much trail time as I could and on weekend long runs, explored new areas to add some trail variety and keep it interesting. They all included similar terrain to what I’d be experiencing on race day, though nothing quite prepared me for the clay! Recovery & Maintenance Daily use of the foam roller and/or massage gun helped relax tight muscles, and I also had regular remedial massages. I’m not sure how much the latter helped my muscles,

CONTRIBUTION THAT 50KM HOOK

All The Right Gear The one piece of kit I had the most trouble with was shoes, namely road shoes for training around home off trail. I’d been properly fitted at reputable running stores but kept getting numb toes on my longer foot after 5kms. A visit to the podiatrist (also a kick-arse ultra runner herself) revealed I’d been sold shoes that were too small. My trail shoes were not quite as bad, but the upshot was I needed to buy a new pair of each type. For everything else, I made sure that I was across the mandatory gear requirements and researched what would help keep me most comfortable on a long day out. Think things like thermal layers, toe socks and the best anti-chaffing cream you can find. I tried everything out many times before race day – clothes, shoes and socks, gels and electrolytes – and on long run days would have my full race day pack.

but the whole experience was deeply relaxing, so I figure it’s of some benefit. Active recovery on non-run days was generally a walk (which also count in TOF totals), and always at least one complete rest day per week. Finally, I attempted to get to bed at a decent time on a more regular basis. Gaining Information I tried to absorb as much about ultra running as I could from multiple sources – books, blogs, social media, podcasts and ultra running friends. The topic with the most impact was nutrition and hydration. I think these are often overlooked, yet it’s so important to consider how we are supporting our body day-to-day through the entire journey. There’s no cookie-cutter approach and our dietary needs change as we age. I’ve certainly found what worked for me five years ago sadly doesn’t really fly now as a peri-menopausal woman, and this is where a nutritionist consultation was super helpful.

When race day arrived, I was nervous but felt ready. My main goal was just to finish and try to enjoy the experience as much as possible. Despite the last 6kms looking rather dodgy (I could no longer run downhill), I crossed the line a smidge over my estimated time of 8hrs 30mins. Whilst that sounds like a very long day, I really had the best time and lots of chats with fellow runners which helped pass the time. My support crew (husband and kids) later said that I looked like I was having fun whenever they saw me. Maybe I was just very happy to see their smiling faces! They were a huge part my success, as their support during the months of training and on the day was invaluable. And Thus The Lesson Is Learned Was there anything I would I have done differently? Most definitely!

• More strength: I find it very hard to get excited about strength work outside of

pilates class. It’s often challenging to fit it all in, so I’m going to try breaking home sessions down into mini workouts.

• More hills and speed work: as above, these are not some of my favourite things.

• More time: 5-6 months of training would have been better to get my knees ready. My longest run was 30km over 5 hours, when ideally, I should have done at least 36km. Adding another half marathon to my longest ever run was probably asking a bit much of my body.

Nevertheless, I appeared to pull up quite well with zero blisters or chaffing. One big toenail was very bruised but never fell off, much to my amazement. The muscles were sore for a few days but nothing too concerning, until I ventured out on my first gentle jog and had to call my husband to come pick me up after a few kilometres. My cranky knees took a good four months to recover from the inflammation but seemed to have forgiven me now. I am returning to the SCC50 this September with a friend who wants to attempt her first ultra. With a full six months to prepare, my goal is to finish without knee pain. Once again, the journey is providing me with much needed nature therapy since my mum passed away in February. It’s been a slow start as the motivation levels fluctuate, but I’m sure that once again, the physical challenge will help me through the emotional one. Running an ultra obviously requires both physical and mental endurance, and commitment to the process which is ultimately a commitment to yourself. Whatever the training journey and race day throws at me this time, I now know that I am more than capable of rising to the challenge. Even though I may not always feel like it, I am an ultrarunner!

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Anika is a Melbourne-based trail runner who is much better at running down hills than up them. With a background in science and long-time love of photography, she stops often for photos or a spot of plant ID.

CONTRIBUTION

In the Gobi Desert. Image: RACING THE PLANET.

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TAMING THE 4 DESERTS HE BEAT THE HEAT AND THEN WENT FOR THE FREEZE. DR INIA RAUMATI FROM KUMEU, NZ DOESN’T DO THINGS BY HALVES, AND BACK IN 2014 HE TOOK ON THE 4 DESERTS GRAND SLAM, BECOMING THE FIRST (AND ONLY) KIWI TO COMPLETE IT – TAKING HIMSELF ACROSS THE SAHARA IN JORDAN, THE GOBI IN CHINA, THE ATACAMA CROSSING IN CHILE AND LASTLY, ANTARCTICA. SINCE 2008, ONLY 89 INDIVIDUALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAVE COMPLETED THE EPIC GRAND SLAM OF ALL FOUR DESERTS ONE AFTER THE OTHER, AND TODAY HE RECAPS THE EXPERIENCE IN PREPARATION OF A NEW BIG ADVENTURE HE HAS PLANNED FOR HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY NEXT YEAR. WORDS: DR INIA RAUMATI (@ULTRAMAORIDOCTOR) IMAGES: RACING THE PLANET Staggering through the heat haze of the salt flats like a cowboy from an old Western movie whose horse had died long ago, I spotted the white dome of the aid station. Well, I hoped it was the aid station and not a mirage, but typically mirages don’t sing happy birthday, do they? I’d planned on doing something memorable for my 40th birthday. I didn’t count on not being able to remember it, but that’s what happens when you run 250km in the heat of Chile’s Atacama Desert – a place so inhospitable that they use it to test the Mars rovers. The Atacama Crossing race was the hardest of the events; with altitude and heat combining to literally cook you. The sun not only beat down, but reflected up off the salt plains, which crunched like coral under foot. With long stretches of no shelter, you ran first thing in the morning when it was cool, tried to survive the midday heat, and

if still out in the evening, picked the pace up again. It was the best birthday I have ever had. Luckily a film crew was making a documentary on a fellow runner and I somehow got interviewed, so at least I have some footage of the event. It hadn’t started out this way, and I never planned it, but I was midway through my third ever 250km self-supported ultramarathon and almost (because at the time, I was running my 3rd out of 4 events) becoming the first ever Kiwi to complete the Racing the Planet 4 Deserts Grand Slam. Completing four desert ultras – the Sahara, Gobi, Atacama and Antarctica – all in a calendar year (once finishing, I did become the first to complete the Grand Slam). 1000km of self-supported Type 2 fun in some of the most testing conditions of any race, all with the added bonus of carrying 79

CONTRIBUTION TAMING THE 4 DESERTS

Traversing across the snow and ice in stunning Antarctica. Image: RACING THE PLANET.

all your food and supplies you need for seven days. With very little ultra running experience, and even less sleep, I happened to be working one night shift at work when I decided it would be a great idea to enter my first ever multi-day ultra. A couple months later with a dodgy Achilles that my physio thought would either be ‘sweet as’ or rupture, I was in Jordan spending my first night in a survival bag under a Bedouin tent as it rained for the first time in years. I wasn’t the only one who looked out of place at the start line. My pack was way 80

too heavy and my kit was a hodgepodge of gym and tramping gear, but at least I didn’t show up with a red ‘Jordan’ souvenir cap on, sideways. That was Atul Patki from the USA, and by the end of the series we would become good mates. I liked him from the start, and it wasn’t just the fact that he was obviously more clueless about these events than I was. It was because the night before while everyone else was complaining about the cold and the wet, he had been snoring like a train, oblivious to it all. Attitude is everything in these sort of

events, including your ability to accept that things won’t go to plan, shrug it off and move on. After my first day I emptied out most of my pack to ditch as much weight as possible. Atul came in almost last and quickly displayed the Kiwi slang he had learnt by announcing to everyone, “This sucks, bro”. The next day I broke out the poles and accepted that a large portion of my day would be more hiking than running. By the start of the third day I had a solid routine going – eat, poop, run, eat, sleep, repeat.

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Dr Inia Raumati (left) at the finish line with two other participants of the 2014 Antarctica leg of the 4 Deserts Grand Slam. Image: RACING THE PLANET.

At the start of the long stage on day five, which was more than 80km, of which some people would be running through the night or sleeping on the course; Atul was still there, unlike some more experienced runners. In fact the night before when someone asked why his pack was still so heavy, Atul pulled out a stash of chocolate bars he had been carrying all that way to offer to everyone; legend. The long-stage was tough. We climbed the ‘Turkish Road’ over the mountains towards Petra, and I passed lead runners vomiting in

the altitude and heat. We went the wrong way, after local kids removed the marking flags and I had to race to keep up with a faster runner when my head torch died. To this day I can’t remember crossing the finish line that night. What I do remember was how swollen my feet were, and how after a deep sleep other runners were still coming in the midday heat the next day. Including our mate Atul, still smiling and complaining how it “sucks bro”, with an attitude that we would dub the ‘Atul factor’ whenever something went wrong. It turns out he was planning to run all four of the 4

Deserts races that year, because he wanted to prove something to his daughter. After a short run into Petra the next day it was time for pizza and a few beers. Maybe it was the fact that Atul was going to run all four races, or maybe it was one too many beers, but it didn’t take long before I’d put my hand up to try and be the first Kiwi to complete the Grand Slam. I wish I could say that with my experience from Jordan that everything became easier in the year’s subsequent races. Flying into China for the next race in the Gobi 81

CONTRIBUTION TAMING THE 4 DESERTS

By the time we hit Antarctica at the end of the year for the Last Desert race, all the Grand Slam runners were pretty fatigued. So I decided to team up with Brett and Rob (with Atul as team mascot) to help get each other through. The weather that time of year was uncharacteristically poor and on day one I had to take the liner out of my right hand glove, insert an instant heat pack, and shove it down the front of my pants, to literally stop my nuts from freezing. I had long since ceased to be able to feel my feet and now arguably more vital parts of my anatomy.

In typical Kiwi fashion at the end of the final stage, the first port of call on returning to the ship was to hit the bar for a beer, followed by some less thought out semi-clothed photos on the bow of the ship. Arguably it topped off the best year of my life and set me up to look for further challenges including volunteering on rescue helicopters, reenlistment with the army, and most recently being one of the handful of competitors that managed to complete the Ice Ultra in Sweden this year. There are so many unique race experiences to be had, both at home and abroad.

A breakfast of rehydrated rice and squid (I think) saw me constantly visiting the toilets on day one. I was still running to the bushes at day two, almost being unable to continue when I couldn’t eat or drink anything without an attack of the squirts. I managed to survive, and by the long stage was feeling good and actually managed to climb into the top 20, with a couple new mates Rob Trepa and Brett Foote, who kept an eye on me when I was sick.

The wind had picked up, stirring up the ice and snow, making vision at times almost impossible. Even with crampons attached to the outside of my running shoes gripping the ice, forward momentum was hard to come by. We had spotted penguins earlier from the ship and now they seemed to be mocking us. As we ploughed forward as a team of three, a group of three penguins followed behind in the tracks we had made, copying our every move. Stopping when we did, looking at us with heads held sideways, then continuing to waddle on behind when we moved on, easily keeping pace.

Next year to celebrate my 50th, I’m aiming to complete a self-supported 250km multistage event on every continent within a calendar year. I’m aiming to raise funds for a scholarship for Māori students interested in a career in the health sciences to be able to run one of these races as a team, as I truly believe that the opportunity is life-changing. I’ll be starting in New Zealand (because hey, we are our own continent now), and finishing in Antarctica. Eight races in all, 2000km, a lot of dehydrated food, lost toenails, new mates, and hopefully catching up with some old ones.

Having a good long stage would turn out to be a recurring theme for my races. In truth looking at the race timings, all I ever did was stay consistent while others either slowed down or pulled out from injury.

It reminded me of something out of a Three Stooges or Benny Hill skit. And since the race rules had clearly stated that ‘penguins have right of way’, there was nothing we could do about it.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Dr Inia Raumati caught on camera before the start of the 2014 Sahara Race; The Sahara Desert can be a brutal and unforgiving place in this world; The Atacama Crossing in Chile isn’t on most people’s minds to run through, but it was for Dr Inia Raumati in 2014. ImageS: RACING THE PLANET.

Desert, the Gobi March, the airline lost my checked luggage, which contained all my race food and most of my clothing. With a rapid connecting flight into the middle of nowhere, I showed up to race check-in planning to run in my boxers and try and convince the organisers I could live off a packet of biscuits. I put a sign up on the check-in board with a list of kit, my room number, and a message requesting donations, and actually managed through the kindness of the other competitors to have enough kit to start. The only problem ended up being the food donated was mainly from the Asian competitors, and was a lucky dip for every meal, as I had no idea what was in the bags.

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Dr Inia Raumati isn’t a fast runner, but he is a fast eater, so the natural fit was for him to run multi-stage ultras to truck on stubbornly while carrying all his snacks. Inia trains in Riverhead Forest with his coach Doug the Huntaway and is planning to achieve his second 4 Deserts Grand Slam in 2024. He loves type 2 fun, coffee, scenic poops and petting dogs. 82

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OFF THE BEATEN

Track

THE BEST PICS FROM THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS CAPTURED THE MOST SCHMICK TRAIL, LANDSCAPE OR VIEW WHILE OUT FOR A RUN? TAG OUR SOCIALS HANDLE @TRAILRUNMAG ON INSTA.

RAIN, HAIL OR SHINE Day 2, Leg 1 of the Great Southern Stage Run with a group of team runners heading past the well-known landform called Greens Pools, in the rain. And yes, that’s a runner on the far right wearing just his socks (which he regretted doing soon after aka blisters!). Image: Travis Hayto

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

CHASING THE FINISH The RACV Solar Great Ocean Road Running Festival sees thousands of runners gather in the idyllic south-west coast of Victoria and partake in a variety of trails up to 60km in distance. Here, a runner chases the 13km finish line as they speed through Great Otway National Park. Image: Robert Geary

NOT SO CONSPICUOUS Day 1, Leg 2 of the Great Southern Stage Run and Alan Williams (2022 Solo Male Winner) is on the Bibbulmun Track with Conspicuous Cliffs Beach in the background behind him from where he’d just run from. Image: Travis Hayto

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TO THE HIGH POINT 42km runners approach the highest point of the Skedaddle course in New Zealand. With four distances – 42km, 30km, 15km and a kids 4km – all courses are point-to-point along beautiful singletrack trails through the privately owned Island Hills Station. Image: Malcolm McRae

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

ATOP THE MOUNTAINS WA runner Claire O’Brien-Smith enjoys a final stretch of the legs before jetting off to Innsbruck-Stubai for the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships where she represented Australia in the long course (86.9km, +6500vm). Image: noéko

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

TRAILS OF SOLITUDE Team runner Alan White enjoys a moment of solitude as they approach the halfway mark of the 2023 Surf Coast Trail Marathon, by Tour de Trails, held in Vic in mid-June. Image: Aaron Collins

REVIEW

TRAIL SHOES // VECTIV ENDURIS 3

WORDS & IMAGE: GILES PENFOLD

THE ENDURIS 3 ENDURES THE TEST OF TIME In need of an everyday trainer that gets the job done just about anywhere? Meet the new Vectiv Enduris 3. Hot off the press, this shoe is part of The North Face’s latest line-up, a star studded bunch that was tested at UTMB by top athletes and amateurs alike. I haven’t experienced their shoes until now, but given the brand is synonymous with quality outdoor gear, my expectations are high. I still remember how stoked I was about receiving a TNF jumper hand-me 90

down as a kid…and I’m pretty sure my younger cousin now wears it. According to their website, this third version of the Vectiv Enduris is all about versatility, balanced stability, cushioning and traction. With this in mind, I went out and pounded the pavement, ran some trails, and heck, even dragged them along to the gym a handful of times. In terms of feel, I’m a sucker for a more minimalist shoe and the Vectiv Enduris

are by no means a barefoot shoe. With that said, I gradually warmed to its generous cushioning. The 31mm/25mm stack height feels really supportive and has a springiness that I’m not used to (plus it doesn’t cook your achilles or calves). I also noticed its generous toe box, something that a lot of brands are starting to catch on to, with this model genuinely letting your feet splay and grip the trails when necessary. It took me a few jogs to get used to the Enduris’ high cushion but once acclimated I actually surprised myself,

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

describing them to a friend as ‘damn comfy’. First box: ticked. ‘How are the Enduris performance-wise?’ the same mate asks me. The short answer? Solid. The longer answer? Solid with a caveat. Let me explain. As the most approachable and beginnerfriendly shoes of the TNF line, their purpose isn’t to be flogged or redline on a speed 25k or 50k trial race. Instead, their objective is as an all-rounder, and who doesn’t love an all-rounder? After a few weeks of becoming acquainted, I found myself nonchalantly wearing this pair all over the shop. If you really want to scream ‘I’m a runner!’ to the world, I suggest wearing the neon colourway to your local gym. Bonus points if you wear skimpy split shorts as well. Jokes aside, the Enduris 3 held up just fine during my sets of calf raises, Olympic lifts and plyometrics. Side note: If you’re a more experienced runner looking for a high performance shoe, I’d go for something like the Vectiv Sky or Vectiv Pro (both pairs are carbon plated). By now, I’ve hopefully insinuated that the versatility on the Enduris 3 is epic! I tested these on slow road runs and also picked up the pace on non-technical trails. For context, the longest trot I took them on was 22k, and by the end of it I felt like I

was gliding on clouds (more on this in tech specs below). The verdict though? They held up considerably better than I’d anticipated and felt easy to run in. Here’s the low-down on the shoe’s tech specifications. First things first, they’re quite light compared to similarly cushioned shoes from competing brands (Men’s 307g, Women’s 257g). The 6mm drop remains the same as previous models of the Enduris, however notable changes include an extra 2mm of stack with a revised EVA formula and a more comfortable overall design. The rockered midsole is definitely a highlight, ‘delivering forward propulsion’ according to TNF. I was initially sceptical about this feature, but found that once I got in the groove on a run, the rocker genuinely did its job, propelling me forward and making things feel easy (also referred to as ‘gliding on clouds’, patent pending). The outsole carries 3.5mm lugs which held up well on the trail, although I didn’t wear these through particularly muddy terrain. The upper feels roomy and yet, the foot locks in nicely. Overall, the Enduris 3 is a great all round trainer and runner that won me over. It’s a no frills, dependable shoe that has a strong combination of cushioning, traction and versatility. It’s also the most affordable pick of the Vectiv range, and comes in two striking colourways. An excellent update from The North Face.

THE LOW DOWN GREAT FOR: Everyday training, terrain variety NOT SO GREAT FOR: High performance races TEST CONDITIONS: Hard-packed dirt, paved road, pea gravel TESTER: Giles Penfold TESTER MECHANICS: Neutral VITALS RRP: $250 WEBSITE: thenorthface.com.au CONDITIONS: Shoes provided for testing by The North Face

ADVERTORIAL TRIPLECROWNUNDER & AUSSIE TRILOGY

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In June 2022 about 50 runners lined up at the start line of the Unreasonable EAST 200miler in the Blue Mountains ready to take on the first 200mile event in NSW. As the event team checked mandatory gear, handed out spot trackers and welcomed nervous runners to the event village there were a few faces that looked familiar to the team. Out of this group of 200mile runners there was a small handful of people who had not only completed a 200miler event before but had completed two in the past six months. This group of runners were the first to ever attempt the TripleCrownunder, a trilogy of 200miler events hosted by Ultra Series. This small group of people had gotten to know each other, the volunteers and event team and formed a bond, friendships and memories that will last them for a lifetime. At the end of the week this small group of runners had achieved something that only a limited number of people can lay claim to, they had completed three 200mile events in six months in three different and unique locations in Australia. This amazing small group of people took on a massive challenge and it was a pleasure to acknowledge their achievements. With two of our events in new locations we have been able to include a 100mile

distance, enabling us to introduce the Aussie Trilogy of 100milers. Our events in the trilogy are each unique and fantastic events that experienced alone are life changing but to experience all three is transformative. In February, Delirious WEST in WA takes 200mile runners from Northcliffe to Albany along the Bibbulmun Track, and the 100mile runners join the event at the famous Tree Top Walk in Walpole. This trail takes in fantastic beaches, tough sand dunes, ancient forests and boardwalks under wind turbines with stunning ocean views all before finishing at Frenchman’s Bay with views of Albany. Irrational SOUTH takes place in April in the SA outback. Starting in Blinman at a traditional art studio Wanda our 200milers get to see Wilpina Pound twice before the 100miler runners start at Mt Little. Everyone gets to experience the amazing Flinders Range, pass via Hawker, experience the tough terrain and feel the sole of the outback before finishing at Quorn. Our final piece, Unreasonable EAST has found a home in Far North Queensland. The 200milers start at the beach in Port Douglas then head into the mountains and tropical rain forests. At Kuranda the

100milers join and head out to experience the waterfalls and mountains. Everyone finishes at the foreshore in Cairns. It is a great passion of Ultra Series to provide events that not only provide people with a goal and achievement but also provide events that are achievable with generous cut of times. With this in mind the TripleCrownunder and Aussie Trilogy needed to be accessible to more people, and we are excited to announce that all runners will now have an opportunity to complete the three events over three years. Runners who complete the events in one calendar year will be recognised as the Grandmasters for that year. So get ready to experience all three 100miler and 200miler events at these remote and unique locations and become a TripleCrownunder or Aussie Trilogy recipient. Web: ultraseries.com.au Host: Ultra Series Dates: Delirious WEST, 7-11 Feb 2024 Irrational SOUTH, 10-14 April 2024 Unreasonable EAST, TBC

ISSUE 48 | TRAILRUNMAG.COM

WIN A PAIR OF BROOKS CASCADIA17 TRAIL SHOES!

When You Subscribe For 2 or 3 Years! Thanks to the team at Brooks, we’re celebrating the launch of their new trail shoes– the Cascadia 17 RRP$259.95 with 20 pairs to give away. When you subscribe to Trail Run Magazine for 2 or 3 years, you’ll automatically be put in the draw to win a pair of Cascadia 17’s!

Beat rocky terrain and steep hills with confidence in a set of Brooks’ all-new Cascadia 17 mountain trail shoes. With impressive technology to boost your stability, traction and comfort, the Brooks Cascadia 17 is truly the Cadillac of trail shoes. Their secret weapon is the new Trail Adapt System, consisting of an integrated midsole, zonal outsole system and a Ballistic Rock Shield–giving you boosted control, grip and protection, even on the most technical trails. If that wasn’t exciting enough, the Cascadia 17 now comes with enhanced traction across any surface, wet or dry, with their new TrailTack Green outsole system that’s even made from 25% recycled content. With DNA LOFT v2 technology in the midsole, you’ll enjoy soft cushioning on your long runs, making discomfort on rugged terrain a thing of the past.

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Cardholder’s signature Please Photocopy this form for additional subscriptions. Offer is available while stocks last for Australia and New Zealand residents only. Offer ends Monday 20 November 2023. Subscriptions will start the next issue on sale. If you are already subscribed, we will extend your subscription by the additional length purchased. Postal orders can take up to 6 weeks to process-for faster turnaround, order online (subscribe.trailrunmag.com). For full Brooks completion terms and conditions, visit www.subscribe.trailrunmag.com.au Please tick if you don’t wish to be kept updated on Trail Run Magazine Specials Please tick if you do not wish to join the competition. By entering the competition you consent to Brooks contacting you for the purpose of competition and marketing. For full Brooks completion terms and conditions,visit www.subscribe.trailrunmag.com.au POST: ADVENTURE ENTERTAINMENT, PO BOX 161, HORNSBY NSW 1630 CALL: SUBSCRIPTION HOTLINE 02 8227 6486 EMAIL: MAGAZINES@ADVENTUREENTERTAINMENT.COM

TRAIL THERAPY WHATEVER IT TAKES WORDS & IMAGE: SOPHIE GERAGHTY

WHATEVER IT TAKES Volunteers at trail races are deserved of no less than The Order of Australia. From hugs and words of encouragement to rousing runners from the pits of despair and certain DNF’ing and popping blisters with their bare teeth to keep them moving. But why? Unsung glory, hours sitting in hot/cold/wet/dark/lonely aid stations, waiting hand and foot on tired runners trying to make them eat, handling their bodily fluids and fluid-soaked belongings and touching their mangled feet! Surely no one would sign up to that? Yet somehow these utterly gross experiences are outweighed by the humanity and connection in being part of something bigger than yourself. Disclaimer: there is also a very fair chance you will be utterly inspired by these runners and decide to enter the race the following year. IMAGE: Michelle Hanlin at Irrational South, Flinders Ranges, April 2023.

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WISE WORDS

SIMON HARRIS

FOUNDER OF FOOTPRINTS AUSTRALIA I was born in Nottingham in the UK and now live on a farm with my partner in a tiny place called Salem in South Australia. I wake up every day and look outside at the fields, wondering how did I end up here? We’re doing a lot of work re-wilding on the farm but also many wild areas around where we live that really need conserving. On the farm, we have an irrigated intensive native seed orchard and a couple of paddocks full of native grasses that we’ll harvest seeds to re-wild a 300-hectare parcel of degraded crown land. I love running on the trails at a beautiful spot called Monarto Woodlands. Where I live is fairly isolated so I never see another soul whilst out running and I love that so much. Even on these same trails, things look different depending on the season, time of day and weather conditions. I just like to go there to enjoy my running. It’s the time in my day when I feel the most free. There is nothing else you need to do or worry about, and I absorb myself in the activity and surroundings. I stay away from anything that tries to direct my attention towards things that are not really important. Things like Strava, I just don’t use, and I’m not big on social media. One thing that drives and motivates me is getting people into nature. I’ve seen the power of connecting runners to wild places that need protecting so they can understand what needs protecting but more importantly realise their own power and agency to do something about it. Over the years, I’ve experienced and seen the power and motivation that these runners have when they unite to protect the environment. Runners are natural allies 98

of the environment and I feel so lucky and excited to be a part of this community. I also feel lucky to be surrounded by my trail running community; they’re a bunch of active, motivated and gifted humans who make the world a better place in their own way.

way to create action on important issues than sharing your goals with like-minded people and collaborating to find solutions.

So what is Footprints? Footprints is a climate action camp for trail runners and walkers. The premise is pretty simple: 15 exceptional people come together for five days in the Central Highlands of Victoria to bond, develop environmental knowledge and leadership skills, and connect participants with grassroots organisations and localised projects that are active in conserving and protecting these wild lands.

Outside of Footprints and on a personal

Campers are challenged, have fun, advance climate solutions through the development of their own projects, and eat delicious home-cooked food whilst working closely with world-class mentors and inspirational speakers such as Blake Hose, Majell Backhausen, Erchana Murray-Barlett and Beau Miles. The goal is for campers to be inspired by what they can do and to come away feeling prepared to take action on climate change. The camps provide inspiration, know-how and confidence to be effective climate action leaders.

Moab which I love!

We want runners to bring their ideas, initiatives, and projects to the camp for development to contribute to the ongoing campaigns to protect an additional 355,000 hectares of native forest through the Great Forest National Park Proposal. Footprints camp is dedicated to the idea that we all benefit from a healthy environment. Creating space in the wild for runners to build and strengthen connections – there’s no better

level, I’d love to run the Zion Traverse in the US. It’s an epic long run through an incredibly diverse landscape that cuts through scenic canyons tucked between towering sandstone cliffs. Apparently, the route drops from nearly 3000 metres to less than 1000 metres, with an epic change in the vegetation from a lush environment to sandy desert. Plus it’s next to

My absolute go-to meal after an event has to be a Sunday dinner, UK-style with all the trimmings – Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, nut roast, mash potato, roast turnips and peas – omg, yum! And if that’s not enough, a large packet of salt and vinegar chips. I know it sounds cliché, but nature has taught me that the ‘best things in life truly are free’ (queue Janet Jackson and Luther Jackson). When I think about most of my treasured memories, all of them are in nature or the outdoors with people I love! I think people are feeling immense overwhelm at the moment and often some of the simplest things and joys are overlooked and not given any credit. For me, one way I deal with the overwhelming is to get out into nature as often as I can – it costs nothing!

RIBELLE RUN

THE HERO HITS THE TRAIL.

For those looking for absolute precision and high adaptability on any degree of difficulty or type of terrain. RIBELLE RUN is designed for short to medium distance trail running. I T: 1300 784 266 I www.outdooragencies.com.au

To locate your nearest stockist sales@outdooragencies.com.au

www.mountainrunning.com.au www.mountainrunning.com.au

DISCOVER THE JACKAL II DISCOVER BOA THE JACKAL II BOA

TRM #48

Articles inside

SIMON HARRIS

WHATEVER IT TAKES

SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS

WIN A PAIR OF BROOKS CASCADIA17 TRAIL SHOES!

TARGET A TRIPLE CROWN GOAL OR THE AUSSIE TRILOGY

THE ENDURIS 3 ENDURES

Track OFF THE BEATEN

TAMING THE 4 DESERTS

THAT 50KM Hook

THE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE: POST RACE ‘BLUES

MELISSA THEK 43, WARRAGUL (VIC)

BEC COULTAS 35, DIAMOND CREEK (VIC)

CHERYL MARTIN 43, MELBOURNE (VIC)

GARRY SCURRY 62, MELBOURNE (VIC)

KISSING THE ROADS

WHY DO WE RUN…?

GNARLY TALES IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GARIWERD

YOURSELF IN GARIWERD Immerse

MAD MISSION: NINJAS ON SNOWBOUND TRAILS

Strength FOR MILES

IF YOU LIKE IT THEN YOU SHOULDA PUT AN RING ON IT Olym pi c

ENERGY-PACKED RISOTTO

LIVE TO RUN TRAIL

AN UNSTOPPABLE RUNNER

SOMETIMES SLOWING DOWN IS THE BEST WAY TO SPEED UP

Flow IN LIFE AND TRAILS

FEISST GROUP TANIWHA

SPRING ENERGY

RED PADDLE ACTIVE JACKET

SETTING SIGHTS ON OlympicSTATUS