Top Trail Runners to Go Head-to-Head in HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB 50km and 100km Events

A host of the top trail runners from Australia and around the world are preparing to line up for a shot at the 100km and 50km titles at this week’s HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB in the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains.

Thousands of runners will take to the trails on Saturday for UTA100 and UTA50, with the event making its debut as a UTMB World Series Major.

Professional triathlete turned elite trail runner Beth McKenzie will be out to defend her UTA100 women’s title.

“The UTA win was unexpectedly the most meaningful experience of my athletic career. I ran 'my race' and ended up first at the finish line. But, it was after the finish line that things really took on new meaning,” said McKenzie. “Over the beautiful course and many hours, I had crossed paths with so many incredible athletes both in the race, on the sidelines, and in the virtual world. Mutually cheering on each woman I saw, especially the back of the 50km race, was truly one of the most special experiences of my life. The number of messages from people who I had met on course or on the sidelines that day, and the meaning behind them truly made me realize that it was such a special day.

“This year, my motto is, we're not done yet,” she said. “To all the mums and people who have been expected to be small, take a break, give up their dreams, whatever it is, this is your day to show yourself, no matter the distance, that you are not done yet.”

For McKenzie success this weekend will present itself in a number of ways.

“For me, due to my 'unique' and 'non-traditional' buildup, success for me means finishing the race and showing up as the determined woman I am for every kilometre, no matter how fast or slow it is,” she said. “My daughters are coming with me this year and helping to crew and support, and my biggest wish and definition of success is that they leave the race knowing what it means to give something your 'all' and to never give up when things get hard. I'd love to win, and I believe I can, I'm definitely not counting myself out, but I have multiple definitions of success this year.”

There will be a host of runners out to make sure that McKenzie doesn’t have it all her own way on the trails this weekend, including previous UTA100 champions Lucy Bartholomew and Emily Gilmour-Walsh, former UTA100 podium finisher Naomi Brand, 2023 Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB 100km third place finisher Sophie Broome and Julia Grant, who was third in the 50km event at this year’s Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB in New Zealand.

In the men’s field, Mike Carroll will bring a wealth of experience on the trails of the Blue Mountains, having raced UTA100 six times, with a best finish of second in 2023.

“Training has been really fun this year and I’ve managed some pretty good consistency. Races over the past year haven't gone to plan for different reasons but I love the process and feel like I’ve continued to build well heading into this race,” said Carroll.

Carroll is looking forward to being a part of the event’s debut as a UTMB World Series Major.

“This will be my seventh start in the UTA100, it’s great to see the race become a Major. I'd be here regardless because of my own history with the race but it’s great that it will be showcased to the rest of the world to see what they've been missing out on,” he said. “Australia has a strong connection with trail running across the country and deserves to host a major event for this region of the world.”

Away from the trails Carroll has had a busy buildup, with him and his wife welcoming a second child recently.

“A successful race I think is just enjoying the day and being grateful I have the opportunity to do big things like this,” he said. “Our second child was born only a couple of weeks ago, so I feel very lucky to get to start this year. Big thanks to my family and friends who will help out on the day.”

China’s Jiasheng Shen is the top seeded male in the UTA100 field and is set to make his racing debut in Australia. Shen has an impressive racing resume, with wins around the world across a range of distances. Also out to challenge for the title is 2023 UTA100 champion George Murray of New Zealand, former UTA50 winner Rhett Gibson, and Matthew Crehan who has had race victories across Australia.

New Zealand’s Caitlin Fielder will be the runner to beat in the UTA50 women’s race as a three-time Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB 50km champion, but the preparation for Saturday’s race hasn’t all been smooth sailing.

“I’ve had some issues with my foot that I’ve been trying to get on top of, so I wouldn’t say my training has been normal but I’m hoping I’ll be able to surprise myself. I’ve had to adapt my training a bit, but I think it’s always good to switch things up,” she said.

Fielder will be lining up in the Blue Mountains for the first time and is looking forward to taking on new trails.

“I think not knowing the course can be a challenge, but at the same time sometimes it’s better to go in a bit green and just take in the course as you see it,” she said. “I’ve studied the profile pretty well, so in that sense I know what’s coming, and I’ve heard the stairs can be the real silent assassin so I’m hoping I’m ready for that. In terms of my race plan, I’ll be aiming to finish up the final climb strong, so, as long as I keep enough in the tank and don’t go all out on the long descent I’m hoping I can finish well and feel good.

“I don’t have too many expectations for this race, as I haven’t raced since Tarawera and since I’ve had this injury,” said Fielder. “I’m just wanting to go out there with a clear head and enjoy my time on the course with other people. If I finish feeling like I’ve given it my all then that’s really all I can do and that will be a success for me.”

While Fielder has the biggest profile of those lining up in the UTA50 that does make her a target, with the likes of Great Britain’s Alison Wilson, 2024 Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB 50km champion Katie Morgan and last year’s Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB 27km winner Jessica Jason out to challenge for the victory.

The UTA50 men’s race is headlined by Kiwi Daniel Jones who heads to the Blue Mountains full of confidence after winning his third 102km title at Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB in February this year as he continues his preparation for the upcoming Western States 100-mile race in America.

“The training has been solid, I’ve recently kicked off my Western States training block so the timing of UTA50 fits in really nicely as a chance to test the legs and race hard. Over the last few weeks, I’ve put a big emphasis on strength and vert, so I’m looking forward to seeing how that translates on this course,” he said.

Jones is looking forward to a new challenge when it comes to the technical nature of the trails in the Blue Mountains.

“It’s definitely different to the fast, flowy nature of Tarawera, but that’s cool,” he said. “UTA50 throws a lot at you with stair sections, steep climbs, and punchy descents, so my plan is to stay composed early, keep effort and fueling steady, and then push once things open up. It’s a course where strength and patience will matter just as much as speed, so I’m hoping my recent work will pay off.

“For me, it’s about putting together a well-executed effort. If I can stay in control, race with intent, and come away knowing I gave it a solid effort in the middle of a big training block, that’s a win,” said Jones. “Of course, I’m competitive and I know I'll want to be in the mix up front. So let's put in a big race effort and know that I gave it everything out there.”

Lining up alongside Jones is the likes of Piotr Babis, a podium finisher at UTA in the past, 2024 UTA50 second place getter David Haunschmidt and Japan’s Hiroki Kai.

HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.