Missed out on UTA? Try These Events!
So you missed out on an entry to Ultra-Trail Australia? The website crashed, you were too busy, the kids distracted you…whatever the reason, you now have a few options. 1) Join the waitlist. 2) Try to jag an entry that someone is selling. 3) Move on and find another event to do. To be honest, missing out might just be a blessing in disguise. Because if you go for the third alternative, you may well discover a better event to do. One where your money isn’t going to a massive overseas company. Instead, you can support a smaller race, run by a local operator. So here’s a few of our favourite UTA alternatives that are held around the same time.
- Buffalo Stampede
Held in the beautiful town of Bright, Victoria, this is a family friendly event that features some of the most challenging terrain of any race in the country. There’s a big selection of distances spread across a few days, so it’s a true festival of trail running.
1-3 April 2022
100/Relay/42/20/10/5km
https://buffalostampede.com.au/
2) Kunanyi Mountain Run
This will be the first iteration of this event and it’s set to be a big launch. Held on the spectacular Mt Wellington that looms over Hobart, it’s a weekend of fun on tough but achievable courses. A highlight for us is the Vertical Kilometer, the first of its kind to be held in Australia!
8-10 April 2022
68/Relay/28/5km (Vertical Kilometer)
https://www.kunanyimountain.run/
3) Jabulani Challenge
Held on the outskirts of northern Sydney, Jabulani is an increasingly popular event that some use as a pre-UTA hit-out. The courses feature undulations and a few steep inclines, but nothing over the top. There’s a mix of single track and open trails, with a welcoming atmosphere that’s great for first time trail runners.
2 April 2022
12/22/45km
https://jabulanichallenge.com.au/
4) Mt Solitary Ultra
A Blue Mountains icon! Traversing the imposing, steep and technical Mt Solitary, this event packs a punch. The course features the famed Furber Steps and Kedumba Pass, so gives you a taste of what UTA offers. Personally, I think this is a much better course than the UTA50.
10 April
45km
https://www.runningwildnsw.com/mt-solitary-ultra/
5) Alpine Challenge
As the name suggests, this is a challenging event, held at Falls Creek in the heart alpine Victoria. It’s an intimate affair, with relatively small numbers of entrants. This makes for a community spirited race with plenty of camaraderie. The hard part is knowing which distances to choose!
22-23 April 2022
100 mile/100/60/42/25/16/10/Teams/Relay
https://www.runningwild.net.au/alpine-runs/alpine-challenge.html
6) Margaret River Ultra
If you’ve ever wanted to visit WA, then here’s your excuse. A coastal escapade in a beautiful landscape, this event sells out, so you better enter fast! There’s a mix of single track, beach and open trails, and it’s about as flat a course as you’ll find anywhere.
7 May
80/Relay