Races
Ultra-Trail Australia
One hundred miles in the Blue Mountains. Escarpment trail. WSER stones for finishers under cutoff.
102 mi+22,146 ft-22,152 ft44:30709 ft to 2,165 fttech 5/106 stationsBlue MountainsWSER qualifierMay
Distance102 mi
Gain+22,146 ft
Loss-22,152 ft
Altitude709 ft to 2,165 ft
Technicality5/10
Air40°F to 75°F
- Start1,647 ft
- High2,153 ft
- Low710 ft
- Finish1,640 ft
- Katoomba at mile 0.0
- Ultra-Trail Australia mile 20 at mile 20
- Ultra-Trail Australia mile 41 at mile 41
- Ultra-Trail Australia mile 61 at mile 61
- Ultra-Trail Australia mile 82 at mile 82
- Finish Australia at mile 102
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop902 ft-8.9% over 1.9 mi
Night miles52 misunset near 17:00 local
The cruxBack-half Blue Mountains loops with sleep debt and stair descents (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Ultra-Trail Australia runs 100 mi through Katoomba, Australia. +22,146 ft gain and -22,152 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% fire road / 5% steps. Back-half Blue Mountains loops with sleep debt and stair descents. High point near 2,165 ft. Low near 709 ft. May temps run 40°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 22,146 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 44:30 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
May in Katoomba, Australia: plan for 40°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 44:30 pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% 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 Blue Mountains loops with sleep debt and stair descents 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
Ultra-Trail Australia finish lines.
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