Ultra-Trail Australia is an iconic running festival, held in the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales. It was previously known as The North Face 100 and has been the most anticipated trail run in Australia each year with its entries selling out in just a couple of days.
Part of the Ultra-Trail World Tour, the premier trail running event will be held on 18 – 21 May 2017 with 50km and 100km races on the Saturday, and several other shorter events on remaining days.
Ultra-Trail Australia has captivated runners locally and internationally, and will play host to over 12,000 athletes, spectators and event crew, converging for a four-day trail running extravaganza.
Race Course
The Blue Mountains are one of Australia’s natural wonders and relate an extraordinary story of Australia’s antiquity, its diversity of life and its superlative beauty. It is an area of breath-taking views, dramatic sandstone cliffs, rugged canyons, deep valleys and swamps teeming with life.
Stretching for over one million hectares, the Blue Mountains National Park is a nature lover’s paradise with an abundance of colourful bird and animal life, including threatened and rare species such as the koala, yellow-bellied glider, green and golden bell frog, and the Blue Mountains water skink. Be sure to keep an eye out for these native wildlife during your run through the ancient bushland!
The Blue Mountains also host the greatest concentration of eucalypt diversity on the continent, and magnificent landscapes including lush rainforest, ethereal waterfalls and heathland.
The route for Ultra-Trail Australia 2017 consists of mainly walking tracks and takes you past the famous 3 sisters rock formation, down into the Jamison and Megalong Valleys.
Starting and finishing at the Scenic World, there will be plenty of sites to see and entertainment for the whole family.
Race Format
Ultra-Trail Australia 100
This main event, with its origin from The North Face 100, will offer participants a 100km route lined with stunning views, lots of stairs and an elevation gain of 4,400m.
Prices for the Ultra-Australia 100 start from AU$395 with a limit of 1,300 entries.
Ultra-Trail Australia 50
The Ultra-Trail Australia 50 debuted in 2013 and is a shorter race that will appeal to runners taking on their first ultra. This challenging 50km course follows the second half of the 100km route through the Kedumba Valley. Expect an elevation gain of 2,400m.
Prices for the Ultra-Australia 50 start from AU$240 with a limit of 1,300 entries.
Pace UTA22
The Pace UTA22 consists of a 21.6km route that follows the final leg of both the 50km and 100km courses. Starting at the iconic Queen Victoria Hospital and finishing at the atmospheric Scenic World, the Pace UTA22 will be a great initiation for new runners curious about trail and ultra-running with 1,200m of elevation gain.
Prices for the Pace UTA22 start from AU$130.
Scenic World UTA951
The Scenic World UTA951 stair race is a 1.2km time trial up the iconic Furber Steps, also the finish of other Ultra-Trail Australia events. The lung busting climb consists of 951 stairs and 220m of elevation gain.
Starts will be held over a one hour period on Thursday afternoon (4 p.m. to 5 p.m.), Friday afternoon (4 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and Saturday morning (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.).
Prices for the Scenic World UTA951 start from AU$25 for adults and AU$15 for children.
Injinji 1km-4-Kids
The Injinji 1km-4-Kids, happening on Sunday with kids (under 15 years old on event day) starting in age group waves, is an inclusive and fun 1km race that engages families and facilitates community connection. This race honours the role of children as a valued part of the festival and allows them to experience trail running for themselves.
Entry is free for the Injinji 1km-4-Kids and registration will open from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on Sunday morning at the Scenic World.
Australia’s Biggest Trail Running Festival
The Ultra-Trail Australia Festival will also feature a dynamic expo where runners of all abilities can learn about trails, gear, nutrition, training and race strategy, on Thursday and Friday at the KCC Plaza in Katoomba.
The expo will showcase over 30 exhibitors from the running and outdoor industry, alongside entertaining performances from local artists, activities for kids, food stalls, and coffee stands.
Ultra-Trail Australia stands as a celebration of Australia’s pristine wilderness and the unlimited potential of the human spirit.
Registration for Australia’s biggest trail running festival – Ultra-Trail Australia 2017, will commence at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 12 October 2016. Register your interest now.
