Join Red Bull Australia Athlete Courtney Atkinson and Team Salomon at the BTU Golden Trail National Series Australian Final. USE 10% Discount Code RUN2024.

We are super excited to have Courtney Atkinson (4th from Red Bull Australia, with his Salomon Aus/NZ Team, Simone Brick (3rd The Coastal Ascent), BTU20, Claire O’Brien-Smith BTU60 (2nd Kunyani Mountain Run), Tom Batrouney BTU20, and Vlad Shatrov in BTU100Mi (2022 1st BTU100Mi, 2019 1st BTU110 record holder). So come along, sign up for any one of our events and be part of something special in 2024 as we make the most of the opportunity to race and connect with the finest in Australian Trail Running.

Last weekend, The Coastal Ascent (TCA) was reignited especially for the Golden Trail Series. TCA course was designed by the legendary Vlad Shatrov; it was a challenging event with soft sand, hard-packed sand, fast fire trails, steep power line tracks, mud, coastal rock hopping, road sections to keep you honest, and a fantastic finish line experience in the very underrated seaside city of Newcastle. The surf was epic, views stunning, whales frolicking in the distance, and a pod of dolphins swam past, all while we ran and watched the sea in all its magic. The trails were fun and tough, 800+ vert crammed into 25 km, and definitely the most accomplished all-around trail runner conquered the course.

The best of Australia lined up to race, and there is going to be a showdown for the Golden Trail National Series Final in Brisbane in just over two weeks.

Here are the podiums;

25km Male

25km Female

Vilde MOSER (#319) 01:57:151
Katinka VON ELSNER-WELLSTEED (#6)01:57:15
Simone BRICK (#55)02:00:26

50km Male

50km Female

Here is the GTNS leaderboard - Stay Tuned for the update after TCA to see who is in for a chance for both the Over 23 years and Under 23 years to win a trip to Europe and represent Australia at the Golden Trail National Series Grand Final.

It will not be long until event day, and we will look through or start the list and let you know who is racing the BTU. So far, the lineup looks impressive!

With Wild Earth Australia Runners Buha Bali and Ryan Crawford and Hammer Nutrition Australia Athletes Liam Mckenzie, Pitro Babis and Dani Taylor. Shokz Ambassador Matt Grills is doing our Miler and Katie Dall in the BTU30. Lou Clifton is in our BTU110, Chantel Smith, Jess Schlutler and Jacqui Bell BTU100Mi, with local legend Noelis Rheault, Brendan Verrier and Vlad Shatrov. Then we have Sophie Broome, x tri athlete Katinka Von Elsner-Wellsteed, Channa Marsh, Ben Duffus, Billy Curtis, Max Taylor, Cecilia Mattas, Penny Mouat, Leo Peterson, Tait Hearps, and Lara Hamilton in the BTU20. Massive Names! More elites are contacting me to get on the start line: Aaron Smith, Ronnie Sparke, and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation Runner Harrold Matthews. Plus, we have runners shuffling between events as the speedsters decide between the BTU20 and BTU30. Eric Concé, David Bailey, Victoria Beck, Kaboer Deborah, and Montana McAvoy are in their 30s with past podium winner Gabriele Flor. It will be one exciting BTU 2024, and the depth of the field, now stretching across six events, is amazing to see and we hope you love being part of the most exciting event in Queensland.

Entries are still open for EVERYONE across ALL EVENTS, and we are keen to have you along. Sign Up and be part of the action.

Become a BTU Legend, Volunteer at the BTU.

We need you! To make the BTU super special in 2024, we need all the help we can muster. We still have some important roles to fill at the BTU, and we’d love your support. We need sweepers, forerunners, course marshals, medal awardees, set up and pack down and MORE!

We offer a fantastic BTU Goodie bag with a BTU Soft Flask, BTU High Vis Vest and BTU T-shirt. PLUS 2025 entries, depending on how much you’d like to help us. If you’d like to be part of the action and make the BTU Super Special, we’d love to hear from you.

Jump on our Volunteer page and fill out the form, and we will find a role for you.

Become a legend

Runner Safety

On a serious note. Sadly, there has been another attack on Mt Coot-tha. 1st attack happened on Cockatoo Trail, just next to the Kokoda Trail, about 30 days ago. The latest attack occurred on the Maculata Trail, part of the BTU30, BTU60, BTU110 and BTU100Mi Courses. Police have started patrols on Horseback and Dirt Bikes in the Brisbane Forest, including Mt Coot-tha. As the Race Director, I’ve also been in contact with the Special Police Service, which is already involved with the BTU. The Police implied that for an attack to happen during the BTU, it would be low risk as there are 800+ runners all over the mountain, plus the BTU athlete safety measures already in place with GPS Trackers, marshals, QAS 4WD Ambulance, BTU 4WD and SES services roaming the course with extra police in the area, plus our Event Signage.

As a female race director, I’ve always been acutely aware of the potential dangers our runners may face on our course. We’ve always been an athlete-focused event, and the safety of our runners always comes first. We have the following safety measures already in place;

GPS Trackers for BTU Ultra Runners
The SOS Button on GPS Trackers—if pressed, it gives GPS coordinates and alerts Track Me Live and our Operations room that there is an emergency.
Pacers for BTU entrants: check where they are allowed for your chosen event. If you are a female, reach out, and I will offer you a 100% discount code for a pacer entry.
Mandatory Gear Whistle. The Police said those concerned should carry a high-quality umpire’s whistle with finger grips. To alert and deter if attacked.

Safety tips for training on the trails.

Run in a group or with a proper dog, like a Kelpie; my Kelpie was a trusty, black and wolf-like Kelpie.
Have that last gel; stay hydrated to ensure you have energy if needed.
When alone, carry poles in your hands, be strong and look strong. Swing your arms, look like you are a fighter, and be aware of your surroundings.
Remove all music from your ears within 1km of a car park or house.
If alone, when within 1km of a car park or house, pull out your phone or use your Shokz open-ear headphones, you can still hear your surroundings and call your emergency contact, letting them know where you are. Talk to them loudly until you are safe in your car or have moved through a populated area.
Keep a loud umpire’s whistle handy; you can buy whistles with finger grips and wear them while running.

It is awful that we have to discuss what to do when running on the trails. These tips will help you feel empowered and strong and deter a potential attacker. I ran safely with my trusty Kelpie and was hired as a PT/ Running Coach to run with other females and ensure their safety on our trails and the city streets in Brisbane and Sydney. I always noted those around me, took my phone out, and took photos of cars if concerned, much like a neighbourhood watch. I was lucky enough to be safe and to keep those with me safe.

If you’d like to help increase the safety of the BTU course, reach out; we’d love to hear from you. We always need more volunteers to increase the BTU Presence and to make our event even better in 2024.

Volunteer

The Long-Range Weather Forecast looks clear, with only 20-25% of rain and a top of 20 degrees, stunning with mild overnight lows of about 12 degrees in Brisbane. That means those trails will be dry, and there is only a tiny chance of a course change. Let’s watch the weather and confirm closer to the race date. The long-range forecasts are not available for Mt Nebo or Mt Glorious, expect the overnight lows to be 5 degrees cooler than in Brisbane.

The moon will be a 1/2 moon, so there will be some extra light if there is no cloud, but if it is clear, it will be cold on the mountain. Let’s hope the weather holds for us.

Off to look after the trails.

Shona and team BTU

Late Entries Close on 15th June at 11:59 pm. The Coastal Ascent and Safety on the BTU course. Become a legend, Volunteer at the BTU. Long Range Forecast.