The Blue Mountains will play host to some of Australia’s fittest people later this year at the annual North Face 100 marathon.
Held on 15-17 May this year, The North Face 100 is an annual 100 kilometre ultra-marathon trail running event located in the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park of Australia organized by AROC Sport.
It has been held since 2008 and has grown to become one of the most talked about endurance events of its kind.
Image: Lyndon Marceau/The North Face
It is one of the twelve prestigious races of the Ultra-Trail World Tour – long distance trail races of at least 100km taking place in emblematic venues and drawing international crowds and competitors.
The North Face 100 also offers a 50 kilometre race option for those working their way to the 100km distance.
What makes the marathon so valuable?
Organisers say it is an enriching experience of amateur and elite runners coming together to push themselves mentally and physically and compete in an event that will leave a lasting impression on themselves and the spectators around them.
Image: Dane Geercke/The North Face
The ultra-running community is a tight-knit one, and relationships made on the trails throughout the race are unique – runners bonded by the struggle of this great endurance pursuit.
The event is evolving into a week-long adventure holiday with additions like the National Trail Running Conference, and the Banff Mountain Film Festival taking place in the lead up to the event.
The National Trail Running Conference (ANTRC) offers a Race Directors Day and a Runners Day filled with workshops from Australian and International experts in training, racing, nutrition and techniques.
To top it off, all of this takes place in the magnificent setting of the Blue Mountains.
Entries for this year’s marathon opened late last year and are still open.
Click here for more information.