Race: Ultra-Trail Koscuiszko 100 Mile
Runner: Coach Tom Scott
Race Date: 12/16/2022
Location: Thredbo Ski Resort, Australia
Results: 8th overall
Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8255184946
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- The location! The Australian snowy mountains are so beautiful in the summer (even when it snows)
- The community – this was a small race by UTMB standards (the race is part of the UTMB world series) and everyone was so nice and supportive
- The organisation – despite last minute course changes due to snow, everything was super organised and the race was very well run. The aid stations were frequent and very well stocked.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Due to the last-minute course changes, there were some extra road kilometers which weren’t as much fun.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Due to some recent flooding there were two kayak crossings! We had to paddle approx. 70m to get across a small waterbody, twice!
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
The highlight was definitely running in the snow, and it was up to 1 foot deep at the high point of the course (about 15km in).
Despite it being my first miler, I executed and paced the race really well. This allowed me to work my way into the top 10 and finish several hours ahead of where I was expecting.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Due to the high elevation at the start, the second half of the course profile looks really flat – but its not! There are plenty of undulating single tracks around Lake Jindabyne, and the Thredbo Valley Trail between the Trout Hatchery and Bullocks Flat aid stations is very tough!
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Be prepared for some slow miles along the TVT (Thredbo Valley Trail) towards the end of the race.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
The course is absolutely stunning – especially the first half of the course where you are running through the Snowy Mountains alpine area.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
The original course appears pretty tough with lots of big climbs in the early part of the race. This years course was a little easier with less elevation.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Despite the small field there were some elite international level runners, which is to be expected for a UTMB World Series race.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
The race starts in the Thredbo ski resort, so its best to book accomodation early before it gets busy and expensive. You can stay elsewhere but there will just be a longer drive to get to the start.
Weather and typical race conditions
Weather can be highly variable! This year it was snowing and freezing cold at the start, but being in the middle of summer it could also be +35 degrees.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Most of the course is pretty remote and not accessible, but the aid stations are large with plenty of parking. The race also runs through Jindabyne where there is plenty of space for spectators to follow the race for about 10km
How’s the Swag?
Excellent – t-shirt, towel, medal and special finishers gift which was a really cool compass!
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
5 out of 5
Tom Scott is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with him, check out his coach profile.
