Wild Earth presents February training camp & meet BTU 2022 best photo winner interview

Wild Earth presents the BTU February training camp- fast approaching! 4th February 2023

Join us for the first training camp for 2023. presented by Wild Earth Australia, and instantly qualify for the BTU10, BTU20 and BTU30. Join us to meet like-minded trail lovers and share your training and experiences with each other. You’ll be able to rub shoulders with some special guests and also get a sneak peak at the new start of the BTU30.

There will be a cruisy paced runner start time of 5am (led by Cora) and for the runners that want to go that little bit faster, a 6am start (with RD Shona Stephenson). I here that Hayley Teale might be joining us??

This is your opportunity to pick the brains of experienced runners and get some tips on what trail gear, hydration, fuelling and energy to you. And who better than to have Wild Earth providing not only gear advice, but also a voucher for you to get started!

Hammer Nutrition Australia is back and we’ll have both electrolytes and fuel to trial and some tips on what we recommend for the time you expect to be out there. Don’t forget our special 12% discount code (BTU).

And did I mention that the new BTU30 course goes up the Kokoda Climb? well, we definitely need some extra wings for that and again, Red Bull Energy will be looking after us.

If you’ve already entered, please watch out for an email in the coming days to arrange which start time you’d like to join. Don’t worry! there’s always an opportunity to swap groups when we meet if you’d like to stretch your legs, or if you’d like to change to a more leisurely pace. If you have any questions about the training camps, please contact us.

Meet Tracy Hess-2022 Best photo winner

Tracy enjoying her loop BTU 2022 experience with her partner Craig (in the background!). Congratulations to Tracy for winning the best photo 2022 prize and gaining a free entry into BTU 2023! Looking forward to seeing you back in Brisbane. Photo credit: Element Photography & Videography

Both Shona and I were in agreeance with the best photo (as taken by Element Photography & Videography) for 2022. Tracy’s face says it all. She’s having fun and really soaking in every kilometer of the run. Little did we know that both Tracy and Craig (behind the tree in the photo) were running the BTU60 together.

We were really excited to get to know Tracy a little bit better and find out her thoughts on the day.

Here’s our BTU Q & A with Tracy:

BTU: Your race photos show so much. Your expressions say it all. Determination, accomplishment and pure joy. What is the driving force behind your love of running?

I started as a means to get fit about 3 years ago (was walking a little with my dogs, but due to a toxic home situation, I felt I needed to get out and meet new people. So I joined a local run club (On the Run Mackay), and let's just say that really kick-started my love of running. I was only looking to run a comfortable 8km but after a while, I found I enjoyed running more than that, I felt comfortable pushing myself to run further. I ran my first 21km in 2020, virtually as the real event was canceled with COVID, but I was so pleased to have completed it. I signed up for BTU30 in 2021 because it fell on my birthday, who doesn't want to run on their birthday and my family live in Brisbane, so I could catch up with them too? In March that year, my run coach sent me off to a 15km trail run knowing that I would love it, he wanted me to experience the trail running community. I loved it, from there everything for me became all about trail running and hills - I love hills! I absolutely loved the BTU30, came in at 3.50hrs, so was super happy with my time and like I said, it was my birthday, so what a great way to celebrate (I made it into the promo video 3 times for 2021, including the finish line where my run buddy was waiting for me with video chat to all my run family in Mackay).

Craig and Tracy after finishing the BTU60. Photograph provided by Tracy

BTU: What a step up from running her first trail to coming in in such a great BTU30 time in 2021, and then backing up for 2022 for BTU60. And to be able to have her at BTU for her birthday is special for us too. Apart from running, do you have any other hobbies Tracy?

For downtime, I love to read and go camping. I scrapbook when I can and cross-stitch, but this hasn't happened for a while. Walking the beach with my partner and our dog is also a great hobby.

BTU: We’ve hear you’re a very busy person, juggling kids, work and other family commitments. How do you fit running in and around family and work Tracy?

My routine is an early run starting with the run club at 5.15am, three times a week, plus pilates 2 afternoons a week. I will fit in a long run early on the weekend or parkrun if I'm not in full training for an event. I'm lucky because I work part-time, so have an extra long weekend to fit time in with my two kids. My partner works away every second week and so we spend quality time when he's home - he loves to run too and will join me in running when he can while home.

BTU: You’ve been an amazing supporter of the BTU in previous years. What has been your motivation in travelling to Brisbane for the Brisbane Trail Ultra?

I will try to get to Brisbane for BTU because it falls on my birthday weekend and my family lives in Brisbane, so its a great chance to catch up with them.

BTU: Now that’s what we call multi-purpose trips! Birthday catch ups with family and running a mountain ultramarathon! Do you have any big races coming up for 2023?

I am going back to Yandina Five-O in 2023 (this was my first ultra run event and it's actually where I met my partner). Mid-way through the run he was behind me and happened to see my 'On the Run' shirt, ironically he is from Mackay too, so knew the run club, but we'd never met till then. Timing is everything and needless to say with a little encouragement from my run coach, we got to know each other and are very happy together. He actually (3 days out) signed up for and ran the BTU60 with me, he was a big reason why I finished so strong in this event! I will also complete the BTU30 next year (thanks for the entry) and plan on bringing a few Mackay peeps with me. We are also planning a trip to WA to compete in Adventurethon Kalbarri, me with the run and he with the full multisport. My absolute joy is out on the trails, this is my happy place, I love hills and with good strong training I seem to recover well after an epic hill run. Bring on 2023.

BTU: Trail running is where we all meet some amazing people and we are so happy that you have met someone so special in your travels that you can share adventures with. Thank you so much for your time and support of the Brisbane Trail Ultra Tracy. We are so glad we can have you back down from FNQ and can wish you another happy birthday on the BTU trails.

Tracy’s proud moment in finishing the BTU60 is now a permanent memory for her. What a great tattoo of the elevation profile! Thanks for the photo and tat Tracy and you’ll have to show us in person this year!

If you have a beautiful BTU story like Tracy’s you’d like to share with us, please contact us and we will get in touch.

Happy Trails and until next time

Your team at the Brisbane Trail Ultra

Shona and Cora