Every year, something happens in the Blue Mountains that's hard to put into words. Thousands of runners converge on one of Australia's most spectacular natural landscapes to race across its cliff tops, ancient sandstone and deep rainforest gullies. For this weekend, it feels like the whole trail running world is in one place. That's Ultra-Trail Australia. That's why people keep coming back.
Now a UTMB World Series Major, it's officially one of the biggest trail races on earth. It draws together over 8,000 runners across six distances from the UTA 1km 4-Kids to the iconic UTA Miler.
Fractel was stoked to be on the ground for all the action. Here's what our athletes had to say.
Holly Ranson
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I actually didn't feel great at the start. The fast girls ran off and I thought I'm just going to have to hold out, I'll probably feel better later on. Sure enough, once we got to the single track I started to feel better. It was pretty tricky the first little bit being in the pitch black dark and quite slippery, but then I had a lot of fun between the aid stations.
The last 10Ks is pretty steep climbing and it's tough work, but it was motivating to pass a couple of people. I had no idea I was in third until we got to the stairs. I'm so happy. Good result.
Zaccy Harris
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Where do I begin. First Miler, DNF at 107km.
A tibial tendon inflammation crept in coming down Perry's Lookdown at 20km and just got worse and worse, to the point where I was reduced to a walk by 80km where every step was excruciating. I wasn't ready to give up just yet. I rallied and gave myself one last chance, took on the 14km loop back to the checkpoint. This was the slowest, most painful walk I have ever experienced. It took me over 3.5 hours. I was done.
I lined up in the Govett's Leap shirt and hat. Take out the ankle and the DNF, I absolutely loved it. It's an incredibly special place. Those mountains just have a particular aura about them that I cannot resist.
This year was made even better by the people around me, being there for friends having their first UTA, in some cases their first ultra, and seeing them push through their own battles makes this sport so special to me. Watching my son run the kids race and have the best time ever, his smile and joy makes it all worth it.
You're out there on your own for so long, buried in your thoughts or the sights and sounds around you, and yet you're not alone at all. So much to love, so much to take away, so much to learn from. This isn't the end.
Harry Hickey
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A good day, not a great day, but I posted a PB so I'm happy. Some nutrition issues created hectic cramping in the final section, and an early ankle roll forced more caution through the technical parts than I would've liked.
Running along Narrowneck right at the start in a sea of headtorches was incredible. A few genuine conversations with other athletes during the race mellowed out the vibe and gave a real feeling of camaraderie amongst the high octane moments. I had a moment where I could tell that my goal time and positioning had slipped away from me, and that was a bit tough.
I raced in the Govett's Leap singlet and M series cap, plus the performance crew socks. Zero blisters, no hot spots. I'd always thought singlets had a road look, but the cut and pattern of the Blue Mountains series squashed that. The ventilation is a lot better for heat control in racing. Seeing Fractel crew support at QVH got me psyched, and put air in my tyres at exactly the right time.
Every time I turn up to a major event like UTA I walk away feeling more fulfilled than when I arrived. It just makes me so happy and proud to be part of such a strong, supportive community.
Running is cool.
Sara Levett
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Pretty cool getting to line up in my backyard. I even got to heckle Ruth Croft before the start, asking why her bib was already so crushed when she hadn't run yet.
Starting in the dark was something I hadn't thought about. Running Narrowneck with a trail of headlights showing the way back was so cool. I loved the socks, not one blister. The shirt and hat were great too, no chafing even though it was quite humid.
I loved the final 22km. I knew that part well and knew I could bring it home, but I'd already lost some time because I couldn't see the single trail well in the dark and had to slow down. In the end I didn't achieve my goal time, but I wasn't too far off. I kept my spirits up and the smile at the end was genuine. I was proud I stuck it out and did my best to enjoy the whole experience and try to glimpse a view when I could.
Ryan Tomkins
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Far from my greatest performance. I imploded at 157km. So close, but I'd still be walking if I hadn't dropped. The wheels had been wobbling from early on; peeing blood during the day and vomiting blood by the night wasn't part of the plan.
Still, I surprisingly had a lot of fun through the middle sections, running with my pacers, having a laugh at my expense, pretending it was going to be okay at checkpoints. Being part of the Fractel team for the first time was genuinely special, and I've made some seriously great friends through this community.
Somehow I came away blister free in the Fractel socks, which over that kind of distance feels like a small miracle. The adventure shirt got its first run too. Party at the front, performance at the back.
As gutted as I am not to come home with the medal and clapping sticks, there's still so much to take away. Just being part of the atmosphere, the community, and watching everyone push themselves in their own way was incredibly inspiring. I'll be back in 2027.
Scotty Hawker
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Day went south pretty early after missing my support crew at 19km. The event buses were late. I felt strong in the first couple of hours, but the lack of nutrition slowly but surely started to catch up on me. Fractel cap was comfy all day.
Highlights of the week was community. Seeing everyone up in the Blueys is always such a special occasion.
Annie Hand
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I'm happy I gave it a shot and proud I listened to my body and stopped when I did. Everything around my knee went into complete shock at Tarros Ladder: glute, back, hamstring. Every step was becoming more and more painful.
I loved seeing the Fractel teammates during their runs. What an awesome team we have around us, it feels like a real family. The drive out of Six Foot Track was hard, seeing all the other runners going on without me.
I loved the Fractel shirt and Govett's hat. That shape fits my head best and I'll definitely run in it again. Lesson for next time: take the quiver. Carrying my poles in my belt for 42km put unwanted pressure around my waist.
Doesn't matter what the result was. This community of trail runners will always lift you and support you when you need it most. I've never received so many messages after an event, people checking in, letting me know it's okay, that this one race doesn't define me. I will grow stronger from this event and can't wait to see the next finish line, in full Fractel kit.
Lindsey Lawry
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My legs never fully felt great. The elevation, endless stairs and steep descents really beat them up. But I kept moving at a reasonable pace across all 100km. Nellys Glen was probably one of the toughest parts mentally and physically, but seeing people at the aid station lifts you more than you realise when you're deep in the pain cave.
Before the event, you think you understand what the race will feel like. But UTA humbles you in a way that's hard to explain unless you've experienced it yourself. The psychological side changes completely once you're under that kind of pressure for so many hours. When you're not feeling great, part of you wants to get frustrated. But then you look around at the Blue Mountains and realise how lucky you are to even be there.
Crossing the line without needing the hi vis was a huge highlight. I absolutely loved the Fractel Blue Mountains hat and socks combo, perfectly suited to the Blueys. The biggest takeaway is always the trail community. You could genuinely rock up alone and leave feeling like part of a family. We'll be back next year.
Tyla Windham
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It's always an awesome event. The day went okay until Kedumba, where I had a rough patch struggling to keep anything down and had to crawl my way out. Until that point I was having a great time enjoying the trails, and I was still glad to finish it.
The stairs at night added a whole new complexity. I really struggled with depth perception in the dark with the water reflections and shadows. I ran in the Fractel white cap and Blue Mountains series shirt and socks.
The highlight was seeing everyone cross the finish line knowing they had completed their goal and journey to race day. While it might not have been the perfect day dreamt of in training, it all helps build towards the next one.
Elijah Gosby
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My day went pretty well and it was great to race against such a high level of competition. One of the best parts of UTA is always the trail running community vibe, everyone getting around each other and supporting one another. I found the hills hard.
The Govett's Leap shirt fit really well under my pack and stayed light even after getting completely soaked by the rain and mist. Outside my own race, I was inspired by how well my dad completed the Miler on such little training, and I enjoyed crewing both him and Benny St Lawrence through the 50km.
Fergus Jackson
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After two months off with injury, it felt like a huge privilege to be back on the start line. I didn't go in with any expectations of pressure. I found the idea of simply letting go and running hard really exciting. I did feel I had lost some fitness, but for me, racing again represented freedom to be back out on the trail.
Super grateful to be in the Fractel Blueys capsule singlet on a surprisingly warm day.
Until Next Year
The Blue Mountains don't care how well you trained. They'll test you, humble you, and somehow make you want to come back and do it all over again. From the Miler to the 11km, our crew experienced every version of that this year.
We're already looking forward to 2027, and everything we learned out on those trails goes straight into how we make our gear better; how it performs across ten or more hours, in the humidity, on technical descents, through the long nights. That's what trail tested actually means.
See you in the Blueys.
1 comment
Hello,
Just wondering how one would become part of the Fractel team. I’ve been wearing your gear for years and have been on a decent journey recently.
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