Ultra/Trail

Local Hobart mum and top trail runner, Maggie Lennox, showed some of Australia’s elite trail runners just how  it’s done, with a stunning performance in the 25km event of this weekend’s kunanyi Mountain Run. 
Held just outside of Wartburg, Tennessee, the 2024 Barkley Marathons concluded with an amazing feat: five competitors finished the challenging course. notably, British Jasmin Paris has created history by becoming the first female competitor to complete this difficult race, clocking in at an astounding 59 hours, 58 minutes, and 21 seconds.
After weeks of intense excitement on social media, the 2024 Barkley Marathons officially began at 5:17 a.m. on Wednesday, commemorated by the recognizable conch shell blowing by the race's mysterious founder, Gary Cantrell, better known as Laz. Nestled in the untamed beauty of Frozen Head State Park close to Wartburg, Tennessee, this race has a rich history dating back to 1986. It was inspired by the incredible prison escape of James Earl Ray, who was convicted of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s murder, from the now-closed Brushy Mountain penitentiary.
On Good Friday 29th of March, 2024, at 5:50 am, starting in Albany, Shane Johnstone, an ultra-runner, will embark on an awe-inspiring quest to tackle the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia with the ambitious goal of completing it in under 10 days, aiming to establish a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) record. This endeavor will see Shane running an average of over 100 kilometers per day on undulating technical trail, showcasing the epitome of human determination and perseverance.
The Trail Running Series in Victoria has opened entries for an exciting 2024 season, marking its 15th year with an array of options and features designed to captivate trail running enthusiasts.
Once again, ultrarunner extraordinaire Courtney Dauwalter demonstrated her exceptional capabilities in the women's race, kicking off the year with a triumphant performance at The North Face Transgrancanaria in the Canary Islands. Following her extraordinary 2023 accomplishments with wins at Western States 100, Hardrock 100, and UTMB, Dauwalter successfully defended her title in the 126km Classic with an impressive display of skill and endurance.
Stian Angermund, the current world short-course trail running champion hailing from Norway, is facing a doping controversy following a positive test for the diuretic chlorthalidone after his triumph at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc's OCC event in August last year. Despite the setback, Angermund steadfastly proclaims his innocence, expressing confusion and disbelief regarding the doping allegations.
In the heart of the winter cross-country season, Tom Evans, the reigning 2023 Western States Champion, continues to establish his dominance on the trails, foreshadowing what promises to be an exciting year ahead. Recent victories underscore the British athlete's exceptional versatility across varied terrains.
The energetic buzz in Chamonix's narrow streets echoed the historic moment during the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB). Thousands flocked to witness the conclusion of the punishing 106-mile race, renowned for its toughness and competitiveness. UTMB, spanning three international borders and encircling Europe's highest peak, is globally acknowledged as one of the most demanding ultra-marathons, characterized by both a festive ambiance and a staggering elevation gain surpassing Mount Everest.
The North Pennines region of northern England witnessed a tragic turn as the search for the missing London-based runner, Edward Catmur, culminated in the discovery of his body on New Year's Eve. Catmur, a highly accomplished athlete, had embarked on a challenging run from Dufton to Cross Fell, the highest mountain in the Pennines, and Hartside Cross. Concerns mounted when no communication was received from the 40-year-old runner after 10 a.m. on December 31.