2025 - Noosa Ultra Trail 100km
4th Time Lucky... Almost!
This year marked the fourth edition of the Noosa Ultra Trail 100km—and my fourth finish too! Each year, this race has been a completely different experience, bringing new lessons and areas for improvement. The one constant? The passion of the race director, Nick, who continues to elevate the event for runners, support crews, and spectators alike. Every year, I manage to rope in more friends, and this time, even my wife, Lidia, joined in for the 15km event!
Training & Preparation
I felt quietly confident this year. My training since January had been consistent, with some key sessions boosting both my fitness and confidence. Leading up to the race, I completed:
This year marked the fourth edition of the Noosa Ultra Trail 100km—and my fourth finish too! Each year, this race has been a completely different experience, bringing new lessons and areas for improvement. The one constant? The passion of the race director, Nick, who continues to elevate the event for runners, support crews, and spectators alike. Every year, I manage to rope in more friends, and this time, even my wife, Lidia, joined in for the 15km event!
Training & Preparation
I felt quietly confident this year. My training since January had been consistent, with some key sessions boosting both my fitness and confidence. Leading up to the race, I completed:
- Two five-hour tempo runs
- Two weekend camps with back-to-back long runs (Friday-Saturday-Sunday)
- Two four-hour hill sessions
Bright and early, without coffee
The Nutrition Blunder
I made a rookie mistake with my race nutrition. I hadn't used my electrolyte and carb mix since my last long race—ironically, the Noosa Ultra Trail 2024. The night before the race, I discovered it had gone bad, leaving me with only water. This was a disaster for a few reasons:
I made a rookie mistake with my race nutrition. I hadn't used my electrolyte and carb mix since my last long race—ironically, the Noosa Ultra Trail 2024. The night before the race, I discovered it had gone bad, leaving me with only water. This was a disaster for a few reasons:
- Electrolyte depletion: Ultra races drain minerals, which I usually replace with electrolytes or salt tablets (which I didn’t have).
- Calorie intake: After 5-6 hours, I struggle to eat solid food and rely on carb drinks for energy.
- Heat factor: A hot, humid day only made these issues worse.
Brock, Liam, Tyce ready for the 50km
Race Day
I set off around 5:30 AM, jogging 2.5km to the start line—a perfect warm-up. At the start, I caught up with my Tewantin Runners mates, Chris and Waz, both taking on the 100km, and some old friends like Mat Grill, whom I'm proudly coaching again.
After a week of rain, the trails were a muddy mess, but race day brought clear skies—great for scenery, terrible for running. It was going to be hot and humid.
At 6 AM, the gun went off. I started easy, reaching the first big climb at 6km—one I'd rehearsed countless times in training. Yet, something felt off. Every rock seemed to jab into my feet. My new trail shoes, a model update from my trusted pair, turned out to have zero padding. This was going to be painful.
By the first checkpoint (23km), the humidity was suffocating. My shirt and shorts were soaked, and judging by the looks I got from spectators, I must’ve appeared a bit rough. I reloaded with water and forced down jam sandwiches, even though the heat made eating a struggle.
I set off around 5:30 AM, jogging 2.5km to the start line—a perfect warm-up. At the start, I caught up with my Tewantin Runners mates, Chris and Waz, both taking on the 100km, and some old friends like Mat Grill, whom I'm proudly coaching again.
After a week of rain, the trails were a muddy mess, but race day brought clear skies—great for scenery, terrible for running. It was going to be hot and humid.
At 6 AM, the gun went off. I started easy, reaching the first big climb at 6km—one I'd rehearsed countless times in training. Yet, something felt off. Every rock seemed to jab into my feet. My new trail shoes, a model update from my trusted pair, turned out to have zero padding. This was going to be painful.
By the first checkpoint (23km), the humidity was suffocating. My shirt and shorts were soaked, and judging by the looks I got from spectators, I must’ve appeared a bit rough. I reloaded with water and forced down jam sandwiches, even though the heat made eating a struggle.
The Grind
The two big climbs of the race passed without drama, and I reached Checkpoint 3 (57km) in 6h 7m—just seven minutes over target and feeling way better than last year. But my race position was pretty much locked in at this point. My feet were shot, my stride was tiny, and I couldn’t run the flats or downhills properly. I kept overtaking two runners on the uphills, only to get overtaken again on the descents. Unfortunately, the remaining 43km were mostly downhill or flat—bad news for me.
At the next aid station, I inhaled four cups of Coke and a couple of bananas—a brief energy boost. But as we hit the hottest part of the day, my body fought back.
The two big climbs of the race passed without drama, and I reached Checkpoint 3 (57km) in 6h 7m—just seven minutes over target and feeling way better than last year. But my race position was pretty much locked in at this point. My feet were shot, my stride was tiny, and I couldn’t run the flats or downhills properly. I kept overtaking two runners on the uphills, only to get overtaken again on the descents. Unfortunately, the remaining 43km were mostly downhill or flat—bad news for me.
At the next aid station, I inhaled four cups of Coke and a couple of bananas—a brief energy boost. But as we hit the hottest part of the day, my body fought back.
Lorenzo and I before the sprint finish!
The Mental Battle
Leaving the 70km checkpoint, I had an unexpected challenge: I was now just minutes ahead of the 30km race start. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I was overheated, dehydrated, and exhausted, but I was also determined not to let the fresh-legged 30km runners see me walking. So for the next 15km, despite my struggles, I kept running—albeit very, very slowly.
The final 10-15km brought some relief as the temperature dropped, but I never got my expected second wind. My tank was empty. Running on plain water, a couple of jam sandwiches, and a few energy blocks had finally caught up to me.
As I passed my house, my son Lorenzo was waiting to run the final stretch with me. This year, I had to ask him to slow down—my legs were toast.
Back at the finish, with 200m left, my daughter Allegra and a gang of Tewantin Runners kids jumped in for a mad sprint to the line. I had no choice but to dig deep and give it one last push.
Leaving the 70km checkpoint, I had an unexpected challenge: I was now just minutes ahead of the 30km race start. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I was overheated, dehydrated, and exhausted, but I was also determined not to let the fresh-legged 30km runners see me walking. So for the next 15km, despite my struggles, I kept running—albeit very, very slowly.
The final 10-15km brought some relief as the temperature dropped, but I never got my expected second wind. My tank was empty. Running on plain water, a couple of jam sandwiches, and a few energy blocks had finally caught up to me.
As I passed my house, my son Lorenzo was waiting to run the final stretch with me. This year, I had to ask him to slow down—my legs were toast.
Back at the finish, with 200m left, my daughter Allegra and a gang of Tewantin Runners kids jumped in for a mad sprint to the line. I had no choice but to dig deep and give it one last push.
Chris came 4th in 11:11 - tough day at the office!
I finished in 11 hours 35 minutes, securing 10th place. Better than last year’s mudfest, but far from what I could have achieved with proper nutrition.
Still, I’m happy. It was a tough day, but I kept a good attitude, and the post-race beers and pizza with family and friends made it all worthwhile.
More importantly, I’m so proud of the Tewantin Runners crew. Everyone finished their race despite brutal conditions:
Still, I’m happy. It was a tough day, but I kept a good attitude, and the post-race beers and pizza with family and friends made it all worthwhile.
More importantly, I’m so proud of the Tewantin Runners crew. Everyone finished their race despite brutal conditions:
- 100km: Chris & Waz
- 50km: Tyce & Liam
- 30km: Jay & Vaughn
- 25km: Paul & Cody
- 15km & 25km: Brooke, Maddie, Lidia, and Sarah
Looking Ahead
Next year, I’m going for 100km again—that’ll put me in the 500km Noosa Ultra Trail Club. From there, it’s a march towards the 1,000km Club, where I dream of running alongside Lorenzo when he turns 16. A scary thought—but an exciting one!
Until next year..
Next year, I’m going for 100km again—that’ll put me in the 500km Noosa Ultra Trail Club. From there, it’s a march towards the 1,000km Club, where I dream of running alongside Lorenzo when he turns 16. A scary thought—but an exciting one!
Until next year..
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