“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, a.o-button”} }”>
New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up!
>”,”name”:”in-content-cta”,”type”:”link”}}”>Subscribe today.
The UTMB World Series is headed down under. From May 15-18, over 8,000 runners will test themselves at Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB in the stunning Blue Mountains, New South Wales, for a chance to earn spots into the UTMB World Series Finals and to collect “running stones” for the lottery.
Over 17 years, Ultra-Trail Australia has grown from 157 runners to the largest trail running race in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s stepping up this year with a new 100-mile race. And for the first time, Ultra-Trail Australia will serve as Oceania’s World Series Major. That means there are 210 automatic qualification spots into the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, France, up for grabs that will be awarded to top age-groupers and the top 10 men and women in the 100-mile, 100K, and 50K race categories. In addition, finishers will earn double the running stones for the UTMB World Series Finals lottery.
And like the best trail running races, the reward is also in the journey. Located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside of Sydney, the Blue Mountains provide a trail running paradise complete with lush forests, cliffs, and breath-taking views.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB, which you can watch live for free on Outside TV. (Full race coverage will also be available on demand after the finish to all Outside+ members.)
What You Should Know About Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB
The new 100-mile race showcases the best of Blue Mountains National Park, from trails that run along cliff tops, through lush valleys, and across scenic ridges. It then ends with a kick in the teeth up the famous 951 Furber Steps.
There are no sanctioned races in America’s Grand Canyon. But runners get to run right through Australia’s in this race, along with iconic landmarks like Narrow Neck, Ironpot Ridge, Leura Forest, Wentworth Falls, and Kedumba Pass before returning whence they came to Blackheath—22,000 feet of climbing and descent later.
The 100K (with roughly 15,000 feet of vert) hits the 100-mile highlights, while the 50K (with over 8,000 feet of vert) follows the route of the second half of the 100K. There’s also a 22K and 11K that end with the same right of passage as all the others: those 951 Furber Steps.
While Ultra-Trail Australia is essentially a national trail party—almost 85 percent of the field lives in the country—it’s also blazing the way for putting women at the forefront. Women, who represent over 45 percent of the field, will have access to women-only toilets on course, designated space at the start line, and feminine hygiene products at all aid stations, according to race officials.
Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB Schedule
Thursday, May 15 at 11 a.m.
11K start
Friday, May 16 at 5 a.m.
100-mile start
Friday, May 16 at 6:40 a.m.
22K start
Saturday, May 17 at 6:20 a.m.
100K start
Saturday, May 17 at 6:25 a.m.
50K start
How to Watch the Ultra-Trail Australia Livestream
The Ultra-Trail Australia broadcast starts on May 17 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time—that’s 2 p.m. on May 16 to 1 a.m. on May 17 Mountain Time. The Ultra-Trail Australia livestream will be free to watch live on Outside TV. Busy running (or more realistically, sleeping) during the race? Outside+ members can view the race on demand after the finish anytime, on any device.
