Nearly 1,000 people have secured their place in the Margaret River Ultra Marathon 2023 within 24 hours of entries opening. The event will take place in south-west, Western Australia, on Saturday 6 May 2023.
Confidently regarded as one of WA’s most in-demand races, entry numbers have doubled since its’ debut in 2018 with just 700 participants; and organisers expected a similar trend when entries opened yesterday.
“We are blown away by the high demand on entries within just one day of opening!” said Sam Maffett, General Manager of organisers Rapid Ascent. “We knew the enthusiasm for the race was growing quite rapidly after witnessing the event sell-out over the last two years, but we didn’t expect such an initial rush!”
Rapid Ascent impose the entry limit of 1,500 participants to preserve the competitor experience on race day.
“Trail running is about getting away from the beaten track and enjoying the wilderness… so bigger is not always better,” Maffett added. “We highly recommend interested runners do enter now to avoid missing out.”
The 80km point-to-point course offers magnificent trail running for competitors as they make their way along the breathtaking Cape to Cape coastline from Hamelin Bay to Howard Park Winery in Wilyabrup.
Participants can enter the sixth edition of the race as a solo runner, or as part of a relay team of 2 to 5 members covering 10-20km each.
The unique landscape keeps runners buzzing from start to finish, as the course winds its way through tall karri tree forests, coastal trails, beaches and bluffs with sweeping views across the magical Margaret River region.
A number of the country’s finest elite ultra-trail runners are often attracted to the world-class course, such as 2022 winners Joshua Chugg and Anna McKenna. And as Anna explains, “One thing I always remind myself on course is to look up; to look at the surroundings and how beautiful it is out there!”
“Competitors embrace all aspects of the event from the course through to the finish line environment and great camaraderie no matter if they’re part of a team, an accomplished ultra runner or first timer, it really is an incredible experience for everyone involved,” said Maffett.
Competitors will finish with a celebratory beverage at the official event venue, Howard Park Wines.
Entries are open online and expected to reach capacity very soon! Further event information can be found on the Margaret River Ultra Marathon website www.MRUltramarathon.com.au or www.facebook.com/RapidAscentUltraRunningEvents
