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With the year rapidly drawing to a close, like many of you I have been thinking about 2025 - the highs, the lows and everything in between. And for me, that’s meant reflecting on the first full year of Trail Runner Au as a newsletter.

In my very first post in January, I wrote this: “I want to take the often mind-bogglingly complex world of running and simplify it. I’m a middle-to-back-of-the-pack trail runner, an enthusiastic amateur. I’ve also been a journalist for more than three decades. So my aim in this newsletter is to explain running concepts to people like me - and like you too.”

My thinking was that it’s very easy to become confused, given how much information and “advice” there is out there about running, and how hard it is to separate the diamonds from the rocks.

It was confusing the hell out of me, and I figured I couldn’t be the only one. So I aimed to take the questions I had, look at them through a journalistic lens, and share what I discovered. What I think of as running “community service announcements” (CSAs).

If anything, the need for a service like this has only increased since January. The boom we’re seeing in running has brought with it a plague of social media “runfluencers” offering advice of varying degrees of veracity.

Looking back I can only really claim partial success on this front. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve written, but this year has really been more about trying a few things and seeing what works and what I feel really provides value. And I guess that’s fair enough.

The pieces I’ve written fall into a handful of categories - reports and reflections on events I’ve run, reports on big events especially those overseas, amazing accomplishments by the amazing people of trail running, running CSAs and reports on my own health - which was a curveball I didn’t see coming.

Surprisingly the pieces I’ve written on my journey of discovery with atrial fibrillation (AF) have received plenty of feedback, both from fellow sufferers offering support, and people who have also just been diagnosed reaching out for advice and to compare notes.

Looking back, there are so many pieces I really enjoyed writing. Trail running has so many great stories and quirky characters - it is a rich seam to mine.

Early in the year I wrote two pieces on the Barkley Marathons, one about the race itself and another on its unique and frankly bizarre origin story. I’ll be revisiting the Barkleys early in the new year.

I also really enjoyed filing multiple times on Ultra-Trail Australia in the Blue Mountains, especially on my run in the 50k event. That is one beautiful course.

A number of people were generous enough to share their stories with me during the year and I am grateful to them. Katie Lovis spoke with trademark effervescence about her tilt at the Leadville Trail 100.

Amber Wood shared her UTMB journey with me, and I spoke to run coach, podcast host and event MC Ali Pottinger who had a poignant but important message for us all - never take your ability to run for granted.

In June, my interest in Dead Cow Gully specifically and backyard ultras more generally bloomed into a full-blown obsession. That last runner standing format offers up the most amazing human stories.

I found it hard to tear myself away from the live stream - and the same applied to Big’s Backyard where West Australian Phil Gore became the backyard ultra world champ. Big’s was one of a number of international events I covered during the year, and that’s something I’d like to continue in 2026.

I’d also like to double down on the running CSAs. Using myself as a guinea pig, I’ll be aiming to get authoritative advice and put it to the test, reporting back on results. And I want to keep attending and reporting on events.

But enough of my ideas - I would LOVE to hear what you’d like to read more of in 2026. All ideas, however specific or generic, would be welcome by return email.

Heart trouble

When I think about the year, there have been highs and lows. The biggest low is a pretty obvious one - being diagnosed with AF has been a challenge. The Sydney Marathon was also a disappointment in terms of the race itself, even though it was a cracker of a day.

Thankfully there were more highs. The Ultra-Trail Australia experience was fabulous. I’ve really enjoyed engaging more with the trail running community. And the New York Marathon was one of those experiences that will stay with me forever.

But the biggest highlight has probably just been turning the newsletter from an idea into a reality. I’m truly grateful to everyone who has subscribed. You are still a relatively exclusive group of 150, but I’m hoping to really grow that in 2026 (so don’t feel too special).

I’ve loved writing the 51 pieces I’ve posted. I’ve learned a lot myself and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. And, to be honest, after years of managing other journos, it’s been great to get back on the tools!

Finally, I hope you’re all having a great festive season marked by quality time spent with family and friends, reflecting on all that 2025 brought you. And I send you all the very best wishes for a fabulous 2026 with high hopes for lots of success whatever you’re aiming for - especially in your running.

See you on the trails!

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.