Table of contents for Autumn 2026 in Trail Run

“STRUGGLING AND SUFFERING ARE THE ESSENCE OF A LIFE WORTH LIVING. IF YOU’RE NOT PUSHING YOURSELF BEYOND YOUR COMFORT ZONE, YOU’RE CHOOSING A NUMB EXISTENCE.” Against All Odds Hello TRM, This story starts in 2018 when I had a total left knee replacement because of several reasons. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to start rehab as eight weeks after the knee replacement I was diagnosed with Stage 4 head and neck cancer. The cancer took my tongue and my ability to talk and eat. I spent eight weeks in hospital recovering and then another six weeks doing chemoradiation. I was busy recovering and setting some goals, especially with nothing else to do during 2019. One of those goals was to get as fit as I possibly could, so that if my…

There’s a distinct energy that runs through Yeah Buddy’s products. A kind of bold, joyful momentum that feels as alive as the athletes wearing them. The brand has become known for turning practical gear into wearable stories, where every print and every colour palette feels intentional. Behind that visual identity is the mind of designer Eugene D’Hagé-Craig, a creator whose work is shaped by equal parts artistry, chaos, and deep appreciation for the everyday runner. For Eugene, good design isn’t decoration. It’s connection. It’s meaning. It’s a way to translate movement, emotion, history, and place into something that sits lightly on someone’s head while carrying something much heavier underneath: purpose. Yeah Buddy’s rise has been fuelled by its heart – celebrating the everyday athlete, the weekend runner, the person chasing…

For the trail runner who seeks genuine mastery, South Australia offers the ultimate prize: the brand new Vines, Brews & Views Thrillogy. Uniting three of the state’s most iconic and demanding ultras – the Ultra Adelaide 100 Miler, The Barodorf 120K, and the Heysen Trail Ultra 115K. This series is a comprehensive test of endurance, mindset, and strategy across a remarkable diversity of terrain – South Australia’s very own long-distance challenge, culminating in bragging rights that span vineyards, historic towns, and rugged coastline. The Thrillogy is designed to solidify the achievements of dedicated ultra runners, weaving together the distinct geographical and cultural threads of South Australia into one singular narrative. Completing all three events is a definitive statement of trail mastery and earns athletes a permanent place in the South…

In a world-first twist on a classic ultra format, Adelaide is now home to a spectacular and strategically mad challenge: conquer the 8,848m of Mt Everest’s height by running the same punishing loop, on the hour, every hour, for up to 24 hours. The event is designed for all ambitions, offering flexible 3-hour, 6-hour, and 12-hour ascents alongside the full 24-hour mission. Built by Ultra Series, Backyard Everest flips the script on the established backyard ultra format. The challenge focuses on maximum vertical gain and how long you can maintain the relentless, hour-by-hour elevation schedule. The location for this vertical testing ground is the unforgiving terrain of Black Hill Conservation Park in Athelstone, a location that perfectly captures the brutal beauty of the South Australian landscape. The mechanics are deceptively…

Due to popular demand, we’re extending the Trail Run × Yeah Buddy hat promotion — because you asked, and because this collab deserves more time on the trails. Bold, lightweight, and built for movement, the limited-edition Yeah Buddy cap captures the spirit of every runner who chases horizons from first light to the final summit. As we roll out Trail Run Magazine Issue #58, there’s never been a better time to jump in. For just $55, you’ll receive: • 4 issues of Trail Run (worth $59.80) • A Yeah Buddy × Trail Run Hat (worth $69) That’s over $120 in value — saving you more than $70 while fuelling your next season of adventure. Refer to website T&Cs. SUBSCRIBE.TRAILRUNMAG.COM SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS: • Never miss an issue • Great gift idea…

I’ve been part of the Kunanyi Mountain Run photography team since the festival’s inception in 2022. When Race Director Lincoln announced the new Alpine Marathon event for the 2025 festival I was immediately keen to cover this. However, I had one wish. Hiking up over Kunanyi/Mount Wellington towards Thark Ridge in the pre-dawn light is a pretty special experience. The day started nice, but as forecasted, the clouds came in which followed a deterioration in the weather as I approached my shoot location. This was my wish. Every year the weather has been beautiful for Kunanyi Mountain Run, a falsehood of the typical weather on the mountain. I wanted conditions to reflect the often harsh climate of Kunanyi/Mount Wellington. And in 2025 the mountain delivered. Sitting high up in an…

February always feels like the real beginning of the running year. January is busy and strange – too hot, too smoky, too full of holiday noise and half-started routines. But once February arrives, the rhythm returns, and the trails settle. The mornings feel clearer, and us trail runners start to find a footing again. This edition lands right in that sweet spot – the moment when many of us realise that chasing perfection isn’t actually the point. Big resolutions fade, race calendars fill, and life shifts back into its usual pace. What matters now isn’t how flawless your training looks on paper, but how consistently you show up for yourself in small, meaningful ways. In trail running, momentum is everything. It’s built through the quiet kilometres between bigger efforts, the…

ROLLING OUT OF RAPIDS Leaving Bells Rapids behind in the Swan Valley, north-eastern region of Perth, Western Australia, and approaching the 10.5km mark, or Aid Station 1, at the 2025 Transcend Ultra. REELING IN SECOND PLACE Rhys Whiting charges through the final kilometres to secure second in the new Sunday addition to the Heysen Trail Ultra weekend, taking on the Wild South Coast, one of South Australia’s most spectacular trails. EDGE OF THE ALPS High above the snow-dusted valleys of Switzerland, a trail runner takes a break along a ridge, where every step is a balance between mountain majesty and alpine adrenaline.. A SNAP DECISION Trail runners take time out of their race to grab a selfie and capture the moment at the Run Bibbulmun Track Stage Race in the…

Across the antipodean landscape, a quiet but powerful movement is reshaping the trail running world. Women, long under-represented in the sport, are stepping onto start lines in greater numbers, building communities, and challenging assumptions about what a trail runner should look like. They are carving out a place for themselves that surpasses medals, times, and field positions. Yet while progress is unmistakable, the data reminds us just how far we still have to go. In Aussie ultras, women currently make up an average of 27% of participants. It’s an improvement on years past, but still a clear indicator that operational, logistical, and cultural barriers continue to hold many women back from fully participating in endurance trail events. The pipeline starts young: while 47% of boys aged 0–14 participate in organised…

This year, resolve to be part of something bigger than yourself. Ultra Series is a collective of Australia’s most challenging and scenic trail races, founded on an ethos of support, self-discovery, and community: a commitment that goes miles beyond the finish line. THE NEW YEAR’S COMMITMENT Every January, millions resolve to get fitter, be braver, and try something new. But by February, those resolutions often fade in the face of routine. The truth is, a resolution needs teeth; it needs a date, a distance, and a finish line you have to bleed for. That’s where Ultra Series comes in. Offering a diverse range of incredible Australian trail events across WA, SA, and Victoria, their courses cater to every level of runner. From accessible 5km adventures to extreme multi-day expeditions, they…

The Backyard Ultra format, a deceptively simple, brutal endurance test, has taken the world by storm. But in Australia, Ultra Series is not just hosting races; it is pioneering the concept, setting world-class standards, and creating events that regularly feature among the biggest and most electric on the planet. From city hearts to isolated lakeside camps, Ultra Series events are where endurance legends are forged. At its core, the Backyard Ultra demands that runners complete a 6.71km loop (or ‘yard’) on the hour, every hour, until only one person remains. It’s a race against the clock and, more importantly, a contest against the limitations of the self. Ultra Series recognised the magnetic pull of this format and immediately sought to elevate it. Not content with outback settings alone, they pioneered…

Ranked as one of the top 10 hardest 200 milers globally, the Delirious WEST 100 and 200 Miler has earned the title of a ‘must-do’ ultra in the Southern Hemisphere. Running 340km across Western Australia’s untouched coastline and colossal forests, this is a brutal, multi-day expedition that promises to break you, rebuild you, and ultimately grow your soul. This is a life-changing, soul-defining adventure along the world-famous Bibbulmun Track. Starting in the remote timber town of Northcliffe and culminating in the historic city of Albany, Delirious West 200 Miler is a point-to-point journey traversing trails that see virtually no human life. For runners tackling the 100 Miler, the journey begins with a spectacular start at the world-famous Treetop Walk in Walpole, guiding them through majestic karri and tingle forests. The…

Some trail shoes take a while to get used to. The North Face Altamesa 500 is not one of them. IFrom the first run, it’s clear what this shoe is designed to do: deliver comfort, support, and a bit of speed for long days on the trail, and for the most part, it lands that brief cleanly. The upper is soft and seamless, with a relaxed toe box that gives your toes room once your feet start to swell on long runs. The upper mesh is made from 62% recycled materials, and the padded tongue with internal wings helps lock the midfoot down without cranking the laces. Heel lockdown feels secure too, with no slipping or hotspots. One note to add though, is that this colourway gets dirty quickly. If…

From the steep terrain of the Balkan peaks, to a frigid glacial loop at the edge of the earth and every terrain in between, Far Corners Tours has the ultimate challenge for trail runners – and these are just three of them. Have you got what it takes to complete the continental dream run? First up, The Peaks. Albania. With more than 3000m of elevation gain between Valbonë and Vusanje, the Accursed Mountains provide the background for this oneday masterpiece. Alpine ridges and pristine lakes will keep your jaw on the floor amidst the constantly changing terrain. Aid stations manned by local villagers provide brief moments of reprieve among the endless hours spent scaling the granite spires that dot the course - previously off limits to the public for decades.…

TRM: How did you first discover trail and ultra running? GK: My first exposure to trail running was as a kid camping at The Basin as the Great North Walk 100 miler from Teralba to Patonga went through. It felt a bit of a fever dream, all these marquees and people showed up in the dark then were gone by morning. That is how trail running remained for some while, a vague notion that people may or may not do these long courses. Growing up, I was fortunate to spend a fair amount of time outdoors. After getting my driver’s license, I was able to spend more time out in Yengo National Park, the Blue Mountains, Namadgi National Park and Kosciouszko. It was here where I experienced my first trail…

There is a reason flights are cheaper to Japan in July. The cherry blossoms have disappeared, the snow is still months away and the summer heat is seriously stifling. But there is one place perfect for visiting at that time of year: Mt Fuji, or Fujisan. When I was planning our family trip to Tokyo, I made a deal with my 15-year-old daughter: ‘I’ll take you to Disneyland if you climb Mt Fuji with me.’ She didn’t love hiking, and I despised princesses, but the deal was done. I began researching the climb and discovered there were four trails to choose from, all with their own characteristics: Yoshida Trail (Yamanashi Prefecture): The easiest and most popular. Subashiri Trail (Shizuoka Prefecture): Less crowded but with fewer facilities than Yoshida. Gotemba Trail…

If you’ve ever wanted to tackle real trail without the sugar-coating, this is it. Heralded as one of Australia’s most brutal and unique trail events, the Feral Pig Ultra is a point-to-point that challenges the body and tests the spirit. Running exclusively on the rugged tracks of Western Australia’s Darling Scarp, the Feral Pig Ultra stakes its claim on extreme isolation, finisher prestige, and the instantly legendary tradition of the midnight start. It’s not for the faint hearted though … it requires smarts, discipline, and absolute respect. This ultra marathon is isolated, brutal, and will absolutely catch you out if you let down your guard. THE FIVE DISTANCES The Feral Pig Ultra features a full weekend of challenging trail running, offering five distinct distances that cater to every level of…

Dover didn’t roll out on the trail whispering sweet nothings. It stomped in wearing clinical-grade arch support and a ‘let’s get real’ attitude. Slip them on, and the difference is immediate. This isn’t your average runner – it’s a shoe engineered to keep you upright, aligned, and ready for big terrain days. Powered by Tread Labs’ podiatrist-recommended Pace Insole, Dover offers strong arch support and noticeable stability underfoot. Unlike other shoe boxes, the Dovers come with an extended box opening that house the shoes’ insoles, so they arrive without them inserted – a surprisingly nice touch. You get to inspect the insole first, get a feel for its firmness and contour, and then insert it yourself, making the whole setup feel a bit more custom right out of the box.…

16 MAY 2025 – BELANTING, SEMBALUN-LOMBOK, INDONESIA: I didn’t realise the tagline for this 100mi race, ‘Sea To Summit’, would mean we’d actually start the race with salty feet. Myself and 34 other trail runners arrived in Belanting, on the north coast of Lombok Island, Indonesia to drummers, flautists and dancers welcoming us to the beach. The tide had come in a bit and the water lapped up and over my feet as I took the first of many steps on the trail. We ran over pebbles, then big boulders, with the spectacle of Mount Rinjani looming 3,726m over us. The trail leads along a riverbed and through rice paddies before turning steeply up through a jungle providing shade, and as we climbed, brought a welcome cooler climate. At the…