Ultra-Trail Australia 2019
An out-of-town running festival in the Blue Mountains — which includes a 951-stair climb.
Overview
Running fanatics, assemble — Ultra-Trail Australia is here. The out-of-town trail running event takes place over four days in May in the stunning world heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. The main event is a 100-kilometre run (yes, you read that correctly) with an elevation gain of 4,400 metres and a lot of stairs, this one certainly isn't for the faint-hearted.
Those not quite up to the 100 can take part in the 50-kilometre race, which follows the second half of the 100-kilometre route through the Kedumba Valley; the 22-kilometre event, which starts at the Queen Victoria Hospital and ends at Scenic World; or the new 11-kilometre run, starting at Leura's Fairmont Resort.
If you're into something short but sweet, try your hand at the Scenic World UTA951, where you'll only have to run for 1.2 kilometres, but up the (in)famous Furber Steps. If the name wasn't a dead giveaway, the climb is a 951 winding stairs. It's all good if your legs feel like jelly at the end — your entry fee includes a ride down the Scenic Railway, the steepest incline railway in the world.
Tickets for the UTA100, 50, 22 and 951 stair climb are currently on sale. Tickets for the UTA11 go on sale at 11am on Tuesday, February 26.
