By Abbey Cannan
The rain and mud couldn’t dampen the spirits of 1500 athletes taking on massive distances of up to 100km in the Noosa Ultra-Trail last weekend.
Andrew Dey and Zoe Manning were the champions of the 2024 event, finishing in first place for the 100km distance.
Andrew completed the race in just over nine and a half hours while Zoe hit the finish line in 10 hours and 41 minutes.
Event director Nick Stewart was busy changing course routes and setting plans to keep runners safe during an ambassadors luncheon at Park and Cove on Friday 22 March.
“We might be swimming,” joked race ambassador Kellie Angel (nee Emmerson), four x Australian representative at the World Trail Running Championships.
Nick said he was extraordinarily pleased with how the event came together given the incredible challenges that they were confronted with.
“These challenges included flooded creeks 24 hours prior to the event, requiring minor course alterations with the cooperation of SEQ Water, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Queensland Police Service and Noosa Council,” he said.
“Athletes were greeted with a cool, pleasant day which allowed for good course times in genuine trail running and adventure racing style conditions.”
Due to the unseasonal and torrential rain, the team rerouted part of the course away from Six Mile Creek which was flooded and unsafe for crossing.
Kellie Angel took out first place in the 50km for the women in just under four and a half hours, while John Dutton came out on top for the men with three hours and 53 minutes.
“It’s been great to see the progression of the race over the past three years alongside the growth of my own family – from running the 15km pregnant in the first year, to my first ultra postpartum in the second year, to a win in the third year,” Kellie said.
“Trail running is all about managing variables – we’ve had different conditions each year and given the endless rain pre-race, this one in particular would have been quite testing for some.
“Congratulations to the team at Noosa Ultra-Trail for making it happen, thanks to all the ‘vollies’ and massive congrats to everyone who tested themselves out there in the mud. Anything from here will seem easy.”
Blaine Bourke and Salome Duff crossed the finish lines first in the Hinterland Traverse 80km, while Dean Edmonds and Angela Ballerini took out the Pomona Sundowner 30km race.
David Scott and Ciara Baker topped the 25km Cross Country, with Kris Mccartney and Emily Burns finishing the Forest 15km in just over an hour.
The youngest person in history to run an Ultra Marathon on all seven continents, Jacqui Bell, finished 4th place overall and 3rd place in the 18-39 age group in Ultra-Trail 100km.
Jacqui said, “100k on Saturday in Noosa was a lot of mud, there’s no denying that, but also beautiful mountains and heaps of memories made.”
“It was a real challenge, almost an untrainable one because the conditions were so unique.
“It was incredible to see the race director do everything absolutely possible to make it happen. He had as many hurdles to get us to the start line as we all encountered out on course both physically and mentally. But no one signs up to do an ultra for an easy experience!
“I loved the course, especially the lush rainforest sections. Everyone who made it across the finish line showed some real unique spirit and the Noosa Ultra community became even stronger. Rain, hail or shine; I’ll be back for a 4th year for sure.”
Trail ambassador Craig Alexander OAM, who is a three x IRONMAN World Champion and two x IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, finished in 5th place overall and 2nd place in 50-59 age group in the Cross Country 25km.
“Noosa never disappoints,” Craig said.
“Even with the challenging weather, the Noosa Ultra-Trail event was amazing and a lot of fun. I am usually a road runner but being on the trails in the hinterland was a real treat.”
Nick said the venue at Noosa District Sports Complex had a village green atmosphere with international food vendors and locally brewed beverages from Noosa Hinterland Brewing Co.
“Like many large-scale events, we rely on the support of the community and many not-for-profit groups and volunteers for their assistance,” he said.
“Support from Tourism and Events Queensland and Tourism Noosa has helped position this event as one of Australia’s premium trail running events, recognised globally as a UTMB INDEX event.”
For more results visit multisportaustralia.com.au/races/noosa-ultra-trail-2024
