Ultra-Trail

In May each year, the upper Blue Mountains is invaded by thousands of runners and support crew for Ultra-Trail Australia, the nation’s premier trail running festival. It’s staged over 3 days and includes 5 separate races, 11km, 22km, 50km, 100 kms and 100 miles (161 kms).
The 100km and 161km events both run through our farm. I watched a few of the 100mile contestants run past with headlights on last night. If they finished, it would have been about midday today.
The blip is of a few midfield contestants crossing Mitchell’s Creek just short of halfway in the 100km event. They would probably finish during the night while the stragglers will drag themselves over the line at about 8am tomorrow.
Seated on my motorcycle, I greeted 50 or 60 of them as they emerged from the creek - some were deadly serious, some friendly but focused, some overtly jovial and some near death.
I’ll tag it for Silly Saturday!