Races
Kosciusko
One hundred miles in the Snowy Mountains. Main Range. Alpine meadow. Fire trail. Australian summer sun.
103 mi+12,652 ft-12,334 ft36:304,794 ft to 5,849 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookSnowy MountainsWSER qualifierDecemberRunning Stones · 4 stones
Distance103 mi
Gain+12,652 ft
Loss-12,334 ft
Altitude4,794 ft to 5,849 ft
Technicality5/10
Air40°F to 90°F
- Start4,888 ft
- High5,849 ft
- Low4,794 ft
- Finish5,207 ft
Geometryderived
Steepest drop699 ft-6.1% over 2.2 mi
Night miles32 misunset near 19:00 local
The cruxBack-half Main Range miles in December heat with full sleep debt (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Kosciusko runs 100 mi through Thredbo, Australia. +12,652 ft gain and -12,334 ft loss. Surfaces skew 70% trail / 25% fire road / 5% paved. Back-half Main Range miles in December heat with full sleep debt. High point near 5,849 ft. Low near 4,794 ft. December temps run 40°F to 90°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 12,652 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 36:30 total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
December in Thredbo, Australia: plan for 40°F to 90°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 36:30 pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 70% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Back-half Main Range miles in December heat with full sleep debt near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Kosciusko finish lines.
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Sources (1)
- Qualifier: utmb_stones: https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series