Races
Ultra-Trail Australia
Blue Mountains. Katoomba cliffs. Fire trail and singletrack. One hundred kilometers of Australian escarpment.
62 mi+14,035 ft-14,045 ft19 hours709 ft to 2,165 fttech 6/106 stationsBlue MountainsUTMB IndexWSER qualifierMay
Distance62 mi
Gain+14,035 ft
Loss-14,045 ft
Altitude709 ft to 2,165 ft
Technicality6/10
Air45°F to 75°F
- Start1,647 ft
- High2,165 ft
- Low709 ft
- Finish1,637 ft
- Katoomba at mile 0.0
- Ultra-Trail Australia mile 12 at mile 12, cutoff 3.8000000000000003 hours
- Ultra-Trail Australia mile 25 at mile 25, cutoff 7.6000000000000005 hours
- Ultra-Trail Australia mile 37 at mile 37, cutoff 11.4 hours
- Ultra-Trail Australia mile 50 at mile 50, cutoff 15.200000000000001 hours
- Finish Australia at mile 62, cutoff 19 hours
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop906 ft-9.2% over 1.9 mi
Night miles25 misunset near 17:00 local
The cruxBlue Mountains stair descents and cliff-edge trail in May chill (near mile 40)
Course DNA
The Course
Ultra-Trail Australia runs 100 km through Katoomba, Australia. +14,035 ft gain and -14,045 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% fire road / 5% steps. Blue Mountains stair descents and cliff-edge trail in May chill. High point near 2,165 ft. Low near 709 ft. May temps run 45°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 31.
The Work
Train for 14,035 feet of climbing across 100 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 19 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 6/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 40.
Kit
May in Katoomba, Australia: plan for 45°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 19 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 16. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 31.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 16. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 31. Blue Mountains stair descents and cliff-edge trail in May chill near mile 40 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 21 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Ultra-Trail Australia finish lines.
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