I’m not sure what it is about Ultra-Trail Australia that has given me the impression it’s one of Australia’s top trail running events. I’ve never been - this year will be my first - so it’s not first-hand experience.

It could be in the name - Ultra-Trail Australia is pretty alpha. It could be that it’s part of the UTMB circuit, so benefits from the publicity and the reflected glory of the other UTMB events. It could be the location - the Blue Mountains are pretty iconic.

It could be the idea of having to tackle the 900+ steps on already busted legs to finish the longer editions of the race. Or it could be the fact an amazing 8,000 people will take part this year, one benefit of being within reach of Australia’s biggest city.

Those 8,000 people will be taking part in five races across three days from May 15-17. The shortest is 11k and the longest is the brand new 100 mile event (164k). In between are 22k, 50k - which I will be tackling, and 100k.

The 100 mile race, or “miler” as this distance is known in the trail running world, has been added to enable UTA to be designated as a UTMB “World Series Major”, which has given it some prestige.

There are more than 50 UTMB events around the world. But there are only four majors - one each in Europe, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific and Oceania. Then there is the race that stands alone - Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc, which gives the series its name.

To be a major, a UTMB event needs a race at miler distance, hence it being added to the schedule. There are other benefits that accrue from being a major, but that’s for another post.

From little things, big things grow

These days organisers estimate the event, which starts and finishes in Katoomba, pumps an estimated $11m into the Blue Mountains’ economy every year.

Of course, UTA wasn’t always this big. In fact, it wasn’t always Ultra-Trail Australia. The first edition of the race was in 2008. It was a single distance - 100k - and it was called the “North Face 100”. There were 157 starters and of them a creditable 130 finished.

One of them was David Austin. And he’s done the same thing - finish the 100k version of the race - every year since. It’s an amazing record, but clearly David’s a man who doesn’t like variety. You can only run so many 100k races a year and now he’s in his 60s all his ultrarunning eggs must be in the UTA basket!

In 2023, just before his successful 15th consecutive crack at the race, he was asked to reflect on that first race. “That first one was so unique,” he said. “I ran the whole last stage … and I did not pass a soul and a soul did not pass me. I never saw anyone.

“All I could see was just a couple of headlights in the distance and if I turned around when I was up on the mountaintops you could see a couple of lights in the back, and it was just unreal.”

While the race has changed immensely over the years, David said the camaraderie of the runners is the same year on year.

“You’re chatting as you’re going along,” he said. “You’re always encouraging people, people are always encouraging you. Everyone seems to be on the same high 99 per cent of the time, people seem to be in the same high spirits as you are.

“Everyone is out there enjoying it and having a good time and doing it to the best of your ability.” It’s a great summary of the spirit of trail running and what’s always been the biggest draw for me, especially over the longer distances. Whether you win a race, finish at the back of the pack or - like most of us - are somewhere in between, the sense of achievement is extraordinary.

At the best events you feel this. It’s a sense that we are “all in this together”, and you’re only ever racing against the course. And sometimes against that voice in your head saying: “Why don’t you stop Stuart? You know you could have a Parmy and a pint if you stop, don’t you?” Or maybe that’s just me…

Very big indeed

While I’m trying not to listen to those inner demons at the back of the UTA 50k pack, the elite runners at the front of the field will be battling it out for a total prize money pool of $120,000, split evenly between the men’s and women’s fields. The top five finishers in each of the men’s and women’s races will take home cash prizes.

People all over the world will be able to watch a slickly produced live stream, and one thing the UTMB team does well is produce video content after the fact that tells the story of the race.

As for me, I’m looking forward to a few things in Katoomba. Firstly, the vibe of a big event like this. The only other events I’ve run that can compare in scale are road marathons, and I’m expecting the feeling to be very different here.

I’m looking forward to the challenge of running 50k again. By the time my race starts it will have been seven months since I’ve run an ultra. The course looks stunning in the photos and videos I’ve seen, so I’m looking forward to that.

I’m also really looking forward to writing about the event and the stories it produces. On this front, I’m really looking forward to being there for “golden hour” for the 100k and 100 mile races - the final hour before competitors hit the official cutoff time.

Runners have 42 hours to complete the miler and 28 hours for the 100k. Cross the line after that and officially it’s a DNF - did not finish. Never mind the winners, people crossing the line in that final hour are the real heroes. I can’t wait to experience that.

So plenty to look forward to, and I can’t wait to bring it all to you from the Blue Mountains in just three weeks!

To get you in the mood, here is the official highlights video from last year’s event:

In the interests of transparency, I am competing at UTA on a complimentary ticket. I am paying all other expenses involved with the event - travel, accommodation and so on - out of my own pocket.

Upcoming Events

There are way too many events for me to list everything that’s happening around the country, but here is a selection of upcoming races (with a bias towards South East Queensland).

The Running Calendar website is a great source if you want a comprehensive understanding of what’s available around Australia.