Ultra Challenge
Take the definition of “extreme measures, extremist, fanatic, radical, revolutionary”, add 3,000 kilometers of glorious eastern Australian coastline, throw in 15 elite athletes who can and will run it, and give them only 44 days to complete it.
What?
The ULTRA is an extreme international ultra-marathon race in which 15 athletes will run approximately 70 kilometers per day, for 44 consecutive days, covering nearly 3,000 kilometers in aid of charity. It is equivalent to the Tour de France but on foot, and similar to the old Westfield runs with Yannis Kouros and Cliff Young but a staged race.
When?
The ULTRA will take place between October – November 2009, during the fourth term of the schooling year.
Where?
The ULTRA will start in Melbourne, pass through Sydney, and finish in Brisbane. In all it will travel through approximately 146 towns along the eastern Australian coastline, passing hundreds of schools.
The Ultra management seeks expressions of interest from elite runners read more…
on April 30th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
This is something I have been hoping for for many years. I would love the opportunity to be one of those chosen to participate. As it is being limited to 15 runners, only half of them from Australia, I am looking forward to the announcement how the runners will be selected.
Good luck with the organisation and thanks to the organisers!
(When deciding on which charity will benefit from this run, may I propose Camp Quality to be considered. www.campquality.org.au)
Thank you!
on June 10th, 2007 at 1:45 am
WOW! this sounds like a magnificant event, although only new to Ultra Running this is the type of event I would like to work toward. I wish all the organisors and participants all the very best for this event, I will certainly keep an eye on how things are progressing and if my schedule permits and there is anything I may be able to assist with I would be happy to discuss this with the event organisors.
on January 27th, 2008 at 10:34 am
What is the latest on qualifying criteria to run in this event? How will the competitors be selected?
on January 28th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Hello Magnus, thank you for your interest. We will be making an official announcement regarding the qualifying and selection criteria for The Ultra within the next month.
on February 1st, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Will be interested to see the qualifying criteria, having run Trans Gaule (1,154 K’s 18 Days in France) in 2006 and Deutschlandlauf (1,205 K’s 17 Days in Germany) in 2007, my goal this year is to run both of them this year, doubt i’d be trying to qualify in the 9 months between then and the race though. Also with the clash with Trans Europa May/June 2009 not sure that many of the high profile overseas stage racers will be able to compete ??
on February 2nd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Hello Kelvin,
After many discussions late last year with large media organisations in Australia, The Ultra management team have just confirmed a new start date for The Ultra as 14 October 2009. The race will finish in Brisbane on November 26.
The Ultra management team are very confident the race will attract 15 of the world’s most elite ultra marathon runners.
on February 4th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Hey,
I won the Transeuropa-Footrace 2003 over 5000 KM’s from Lisboa to Moscow.
I start in Deutschlandlauf 2008. My goal: win!
I start in Transeuropa-Footrace 2009, 4500 KM’s. My goal: win!
I would like to one of the charity-runners in your race.
Bye, greets from Germany
Robert Wimmer
on February 5th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Hi All
Sounds like a great event, some worthy Aussie’s runners for consideration would be Grahak Cunningham, Mick Francis, Kelvin Marshal, Vlastislav Skvaril . These guys are proven runners who can go a long way day after day.
Mag, as great a runner as you are, this is a different kettle of fish. Mate, 44 days of 70k plus. Big ask, without (in my opinion) years of ultra running.
Good luck to the event, I’ll be a happy spectator.
David Eadie
on February 7th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Why will be there so many Trans continental races in 2009?
1. Trans Europe Race http://www.transeuropalauf.de/tel_09/index.php?lan=en&page=Startseite&content=Anfang
2. Trans Australia Perth – Melbourne
http://www.sergegirard.com/trans-australia_foot_race/index.en.html
3. Trans Australia Melbourne – Brisbane
http://www.theultra.com.au/blog2/
That does not make much sense to me.
Anyway who is organizing this Event?
Markus Mueller
Trans Australia Footrace 2001 finisher
on March 28th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I think the Trans-Australia is a great race and Serge is a legend! But to the public at large it goes relatively unnoticed. From what I hear The Ultra is going to have huge media coverage with a million dollar purse and run through heavily populated areas up the east coast of Oz. It can only be a great boost for long distance running. I say bring it on!
on April 26th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Great Idea for a race, but Pat Farmer ran app 80ks per day for 191 days so the 70ks per day seems a bit short unless there is some form of time limit to make the 70k.
Magnus, I have know you and you achievements over the years and you would be one of my first choices for this. John Jacoby and Dave Criniti would be others. A few blokes that not only have endurance, but also leg speed would have a good chance to nail it.
By the way where is the million dollars coming from?
on April 27th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I am interested in being considered for a start in the event.
I’m watching the development of the event with anticipation.
Paul Every
Trans Australia Footrace 2001 - 9th place, 2nd Australian