WOW, Best BTU Ever! Photos, Podiums, prizes, thank you’s and more!
Wow!
What a BTU 2024, powered by Salomon!
From the BTU100Mi first to place to the last runner before the cut-off! The cheers were massive, tears flowed, and the results meant just as much, no matter where you came!
All BTU finishers became champions and proved that the BTU 100Mi course could be conquered with hard work and determination. BTU 2024 was the BIGGEST celebration of trail running Queensland has seen, with activations with complimentary food and beverages at the finish lines at Mt-Coot-tha and Kangaroo Cliffs. Thanks to Joey’s Restaurant and Hard Fizz for the support to help our runners celebrate their epic BTU achievements.
The men’s BTU100Mi favourite, Team Salomon, Vlad Shatrov (Newcastle NSW), fought off injuries to back a fantastic comeback to then instil confidence in this running that took out line honours in a time of 20:46:11. If you were at the presentation, Vlad gave a heartfelt speech of resilience and determination and strategies to get you out of runners low. It’s worth a playback.
Vlad was followed closely by Scott Richmond (NSW) in his first miler, 20:53:58, and Jonothan Healey (NSW) in third place, 21:41:21. All New South Welshmen and from regional areas.
In the women’s race, the BTU course broke the women’s field, and only the toughest could survive the brutal courses. Like in past years, there were only two finishers. Both are from South East Queensland. 1st place winner was Sarah Ryan, who made it under the 30-hour cutoff for a Gold Buckle, 29:31:08. Sheila Ommeh, with the biggest smile on the course, migrated from Kenya with a time of 35:36:51 and crossed the line with 24 minutes to spare. Shelia called me in April and asked what she had to do to qualify and enter the BTU100Mi event. I said, “Come to our training camps, make it through the back-to-back days, and I will qualify you.” She stole the show and won the hearts of all around her. I told her on the start line that all she had to do was finish it, and she probably ended up on our podium. She also became the last runner to finish the BTU100Mi event. She came in just as the “official” presentations had finished, but there was still a crazy crowd of trail runners following her through the night, waiting for her arrival. We were all in tears, celebrating her fantastic achievement. She, like Sarah Ryan, both racing their 1st 100Mi event, came to the training camps and made it to the finish line under the cut-off. It proved that with the right advice and the correct nutrition plan, the BTU100Mi result is possible.
BTU110 is a brutal and beautiful event, just as tough for the distance as the BTU100Mi. Any finisher can go on and run almost any event around the world.
1st place was taken out by ACT runner Aaron Smith, 11:51:57, a solid sub-12-hour time. 2nd place was Brendan Verrier from Alice Springs, NT, and local South East Queensland Runner Kane Tarrant. In the women’s event, Brazilian SEQ favourite Buha Bali, from Team Wild Earth, who took out 1st place in 2023, won the BTU110 event in a time of 14:27:22; she was closely followed by UK running legend Lou Clifton, who now lives in the Blue Mountains NSW, 14:42:09. Third place was Shona Burton, who is also a SEQ Runner.
The BTU60 was a close event, featuring the iconic Black Cockatoo Trail with BTU100Mi's previous winner, Noelis Rheault, dropping into the gruelling 60, chasing Jordan Gradden to the finish line, with less than 10 minutes separating the podium men and the first female, Jade Bucklow, finishing in 4th place overall, close behind, with just over a 2-minute gap was Jessica Willis, finishing 2nd female and 6th place overall.
The BTU60 Male
6:38:36 JORDAN GRADDEN(M) (QLD)
6:43:34 Noelis Rheault(M) (QLD)
6:46:02 John McMahon (QLD)
BTU60 Female
6:52:58 Jade Bucklow(F) (VIC)
6:54:45 Jessica Willis(F) (QLD)
7:29:40 Ina Schapiro (F) (SA)
BTU30 attracted the top names who may have missed out on the points in the Golden Trail Series to swap between events or to nab some prize money in the Spartan Trail Event, with speedsters like Gabriele Flor, Pitro Babis, and Liam Mckenzie switching it up strategically and making it onto the podium with impressive times of;
2:44:01. Gabriele Fior(M) (QLD) ITALY
2:47:16. PIOTR BABIS(M) (TAS) POLAND
2:47:48. Liam Mckenzie (NSW) AUSTRALIA
In the women’s race, the unexpected success of New Caledonian Runner and multiple BTU podium winner Deborah was a delightful surprise. She didn’t know if she’d make it to the start line, let alone onto the podium. So, when she placed 2nd, it was a moment of pure joy, seeing her efforts to make it to Brisbane were rewarded. BTU legendary runner Cecilia Mattas stole the show, securing the podium for the BTU30 twice and following up on her BTU100Mi win in 2023. Like Pitro Babis, she has shown how adaptable to any distance they are. To round out the podium and to win the last prize money was Kristy Pritchard.
3:18:31 Cecilia Mattas(F) (QLD) SWITZERLAND
3:23:29 Deborah Kaboer(F) (NCL) NEW CALEDONIA
3:51:39 Kristy Pritchard (F) (QLD) AUSTRALIA
The BTU20 GTS field was the most potent lineup in Queensland trail running, with over 10 GTS leaderboard runners travelling across Australia and even New Zealand to race for the prize money and points in the exciting inaugural GTS Australia. Not only were there runners on the list in the GTS Aus leaderboard, but elite runners who weren’t in the running for the points also wanted to test themselves against Australia’s best on the BTU20, GTS AUS Final Course. To be eligible for the prizes on offer the runners had to compete in at least two of the following events:
Warburton Trail Festival (Victoria) Donna Double 22km – 10th March 2024
Kunanyi Mountain Run (Hobart) Mountain Run 25km – 23rd March 2024
Coastal ASSENT Trail Run - (Newcastle) 25km - 06th June 2024
And they have to race the BTU as their mandatory final for the GTS Australia.
Some runners didn’t make it though two of the other events. Bit that didn’t stop them from competing, including Team Salomon and Shokz Open Ear Headphones Runner Simone Brick, aka THE FLYING BRICK. Simone smashed through the BTU20 course and declared at the finish line. “I’m back!” as she took out the win of the new BTU20 course, specially designed for the Golden Trail Series to select the strongest and fastest runner to represent Australia at the Golden Trail Series Grand Final. Simone also won the Wild Earth Kokoda Climb. Tassie, the super mum, came in second and secured her position on the top of the GTS leaderboard, followed by Bridget Lunn, who beat Katinka von Elsner-Wellsteed and, on count-back, shuffled Katinka off the top of the GTS leaderboard and Maggie into the top spot and securing her place on the GTS Aus Team.
2:13:03 Simone Brick(F) (VIC)
2:17:26 Maggie Lennox(F) (TAS)
2:21:57 Bridget Lunn(F) (ACT)
2:27:18 Katinka von Elsner-Wellsteed(F) (QLD)
2:30:10 Sophie Broome(F) (VIC)
2:32:10 Vilde Moser(F) (QLD)
2:34:06 Channa Marsh(F) (QLD)
2:35:12 Lauren Rooke(F) (SA)
2:36:07 Penny Mouat(F) (NZL)
2:44:27 Jill Lyall (F) (TAS)
2:52:57 Indianna Zammit(F) Under 23yrs (Time adjusted 4:53:57) (SA)
2:58:04 Kelly Egan (VIC)
The men’s event was full of what-ifs. Lead runner and Wild Earth Kokoda Climb Winner Tait Hearps took a wrong turn after completing the Wild Earth Kokoda Climb; he took out the Time Trail Win but unfortunately took a worn turn and lost first place. Leo Peterson sailed through to the finish line, unaware of Tait’s mishap, and took out the win with a bittersweet feeling. It took him almost an hour to celebrate and to come to terms with the win. This is trail running; It’s part of trail running to ensure you’ve always got something left in the tank to think out of every crisis or turn. On the run, decision-making is essential to becoming the best and is required when racing at the highest level. Planning, researching, and utilising the technology available with GPS watches can be the difference between a win. Leo approached the event like a professional athlete, as he’s proven to be. He had the course on his watch and made the most of the available tech, and this plan won him the trip to Europe. He was closely followed by local runner Billy Curtis, then Ronnie Sparke into third.
1:50:02 Leo Peterson(M) (NSW)
1:52:39 Billy Curtis(M) (QLD)
1:53:13 Ronnie Sparke(M) (NSW)
1:55:39 Blake Turner(M) (NSW)
2:00:26 Max Taylor(M) (ACT)
2:00:43 Ben Duffus(M) (QLD)
2:08:58 Zack Newsham(M) under 23yrs (QLD)
2:09:25 Fraser Darcy(M) (SA)
2:09:51 Jorge Hernaez Navarro(M) (QLD)
2:16:53 Toby Lang(M) under 23 yrs ( ACT)
2:30:05 Tom Steel(M) (QLD)
2:31:12 Mitch Hawkins(M) ( VIC)
2:38:37 Tait Hearps (NSW)
So, who’s heading to Europe? Who’s in the top 5 and won the GTS prize money?
MEN
LEO PETERSON, 338pts, OPEN - Selected
BILLY CURTIS, 278pts OPEN
BLAKE TURNER, 268pts, OPEN
MAX TAYLOR, 261pts, OPEN
TAIT HEARPS, 188pts, OPEN
TOBY LANG, 190pts, U23, - Selected
WOMEN
MAGGIE LENNOX, 304pts OPEN, Selected
KATINKA VON ELSNER-WELLSTEED, 296pts, OPEN
SOPHIE BROOME, 245pts, OPEN
BRIDGET LUNN, 238pts, OPEN
CHANNA MARSH, 190pts, OPEN
INDIANNA ZAMMIT, 85pts, U23, Selected
The first five men and women in the overall ranking of GTNS AUS will be awarded cash prizes in the amount of
1st $1,500
2nd $950
3rd $750
4th $500
5th $250
Congratulations, Maggie Lennox, Leo Peterson, Toby Lang and Indannia Zammit, for winning the Golden Tickets.
BTU10 was an exciting event, purposely timed so the runners could watch how the BTU20 GTS Aus Final unfolded. The race was then held for 15 minutes while the podium runners crossed the line, and then the runners were released.
The BTU10 was won by regular podium winner Luke Davidson, who also won the BTU Red Bull Climb. Samuel Boyd and Conor Lambert—all Queenslanders joined him on the podium.
48:37 Luke Davison(M) (QLD)
52:04 Samuel Boyd(M) (QLD)
55:37 Conor Lambert (QLD)
Mum Monika Ludriks won the women’s race, making the trip north to BNE from the central coast in NSW. She also was the fastest female to complete the BTU-Red Bull Climb. Followed by local runners Michelle Barnes and taking out the last podium of the event, Tania Gorbachnski.
56:24 Monika Ludriks(F) (NSW)
1:00:18 Michelle Barnes(F) (QLD)
1:03:54 Tania Gorbachinski (QLD)
New Caledonian (NCL) runners stole the show when it came to the Shokz Stair Climb! Nathan Pawlicki smashed the stairs in a blistering, quick 0:25 to complete them. He was joined by 2nd place BTU30 NCL runner Deborah Kaboer in 0:48 seconds.
We sincerely apologise to the Ultra runners who did not receive a time. We understand the disappointment this may have caused. Unfortunately, the timing mat power pack was stolen during the night, and therefore, no more results were recorded after 17 hours and 36 minutes into the event.
THANK YOU!
BTU 2024 was our best event yet! Salomon proudly powered it. It was only possible due to the support from our sponsors, who helped us attract the best athletes in the region to complete six events. We offer the EXTRA three Time Trail Events and the prizes to match.
We thank Australian Expatriate Finance and THE EXPATRIATE for the BTU100Mi, BTU110 and BTU30 prize money. Salomon and GTS for the overall points prize money for the GTS. Salomon for podium vouchers. Shokz Open Ear Headphones for the fantastic prizes worth over $12,000+. Wild Earth Australia for the vouchers for the BTU60, Wild Earth Kokoda Climb and registration support. PLUS Vouchers for the BTU Training Camps. Smartwool Socks for the podium prizes PLUS Wild Earth Training Camp Socks. Red Bull Energy Drink for the WINGS for the BTU and our training camp. Hammer Nutrition Australia for the sports nutrition that helped so many runners achieve their goals for the BTU and our training camps.
We also have our professional industry partners, Capra App, Track Me Live, Onetime Timing, Queensland Ambulance Service, Mr Paramedic, QFES, Queensland Special Police Services, and Element Photography, for those stunning shots! A very special thank you to Adam, my long-suffering partner from Australian Expatriate Finance, for your help over the past six years. Thanks to Tyler and Daniel for the logistical support on the day that helped those Checkpoints run smoothly. These guys supported me on the ground so I could focus on you.
A huge thank you to our commentators and MCs, Ben Dennien, Steve Jackson, Katie Dall, Ursula Adam, and the wonderful Jodie Oborne! Thank you for having the courage to be a leader and bring Brisbane Trail Ultra to TV!
Thank you to Steven Coghill, our Welcome to Country Elder and Yuggera man, for welcoming the BTU to Turrbal and sharing his experiences and wisdom with our community.
We’d also like to thank Member for Cooper, Jonti Bush, again for taking the time to chat with our community about women’s safety on the trails and for letting us know that they are listening and motivated to improve the safety of women on the trails in Brisbane with extra police horse and dirt bike patrols. Plus she is organising a “Reclaim the Trails” event on the 3rd of August.
We had a fantastic team in our operations room! Leading the team were Susannah Harvey-Jamieson, Alun Davies, and John Grieves. This year, they were joined by Natasha Jones and Lisa Stevenson, who are new to the room. They were supported on the ground by our BTU 4WD Crew: Luke, Ben, Tim, Nate, Peter, and even my best mate, Mel! A very special thank you to Adam, my long-suffering partner from Australian Expatriate Finance and Tyler and Daniel for the logistical support on the day that helped those Checkpoints run smoothly.
We had a fantastic sweeper team with Kym, Vanessa, Kristy, Deb, Kelly, Jodie, Will, Kelly, Jamiee, Mark, Tamkya, Seab, Sandy and her sister. The marshals were excellent!! They helped with lost runners and made our course safer for all, standing out on the course on their own with Suzan, Julie, Greg, Marco, Ross, Carly, Claire, Kay, David, Chris, Kristine, Jodie, plus Geoff Russell, at Jolly’s Lookout. If I’ve missed you, I do apologise. Many runners offered to help in the final week but didn’t make it onto my official list!
A HUGE THANK YOU To our selfless running clubs! They are the backbone of the BTU, and we are nothing without their support. If you want to connect with a friendly trail running community near you, we have the BEST Running Groups in BNE helping out at the BTU 2024. Without the help of these super special and dedicated running groups, the BTU wouldn’t have been possible.
Rego and Finish Line - Club KT and manager Katie Dall
Start Line - TRAQ, manager Geoff and Leanne
CP1 - Silver Fox Initiative, Neil Collie,
CP2 - Spring Field Runners Group, Rebecca
CP3 - Sweeny Runners, Rachael
CP4 - Ursula and Shona’s Kids, plus NATE! Ursula also helped on the Finish Line with the Club KT Crew!
CP6 - Brisbane Trail Runners, Jodie and Linda.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our BTU Crew and Volunteers and say a massive thank you. We want to invite you to the BTU After Party!
Save the date!
Sunday 16th of July, 3 pm,
Watch out for a TEXT or an email
We will be in contact with you!
With another BTU finished, we will look ahead to BTU 2025. I will be sending out a survey in the following newsletter. Keep an eye out for it. We are keen to know what you think, and we can make the BTU even better!
Okay, one last prize!
