Noosa Trail Results 2023
Three Byron Bay Runners raced the Noosa Ultra Trail on March 25, Andy Olsen, Craig and Marissa Worling. In hot and humid conditions the runners competed in two separate races with their results listed below:
Andy Olsen = 50km, 6:41:03
Craig Worling = 25km, 3:10:57
Marissa Worling = 25km, 3:28:55
Race day recaps are provided below from the athletes.
Craig Worling
With the temperature reaching 30 degrees by 9am on Saturday, it was a good day for the beach but Marissa and I jumped on the bus to head out the back of Noosa town, Tewantin for the cross country 25km. The race started at 9:45am and athletes were dropped off on a farmers property where we trudged through a cow pat covered bush track for 2km arriving hot with sweat dripping off our bodies, just in time for the race start. I had great expectations for the race as my training leading into the race was good. I was ready to go but by 5km being totally soaking wet from the heat i knew it was going to be tough.
I stumbled over the finish line being on the track for a lot longer than i wanted to be. This race has now been ticked off the race list.
Andy Olsen
The Noosa Ultra Trail was held on the 25.3.23 in the beautiful Noosa hinterland. Events ranged from 15-100km and I decided to slide right in the middle with my first attempt at a 50km race.
My preparation was going well until a calf strain 4weeks before the race meant that I effectively had a four week enforced taper. This made my legs a little stiff coming into race week but I was still confident that by taking it slow and steady I would be a good chance of making it around the course in one piece.
Race day came with clear skies, 30deg temperatures and 90% humidity. At 7am the gun fired and runners slowly started meandering their way through the beautiful fire trails and single tracks of the Noosa Trail network which snake their way in and out of three National Parks and State forests.
The 50km race was an out and back style with the turn around point at the stunning and quad burning Twin Hills View Lookout. As you stagger your way to the top and turn around you are greeted by an amazing view of the whole coast line. You also realise just how far you have to run to get back into town! Fortunately the way home was mostly in the shade of the forest canopy and also predominantly downhill. Both of these factors were very welcome as the midday heat was now at its fiery best.
I’m not sure if it was from dehydration or the lack of pre race training but after feeling great for the first 25km by the 30km point almost every muscle in my legs were starting to cramp up. It’s a strange feeling when you try and stretch your quads and your hamstrings cramp and then quickly try and stretch you hamstrings and your quads start cramping! So for the last 20km I would walk the ups and stumble my way along the flats and downs the best I could using Jedi mind strength and very focused breathing to keep the cramping at bay. I just had enough strength left to run the last few km’s to cross the finish line 6 hours and 41min after I started to the cheers and high fives of an amazing support crew who had followed me around all day long.
I would highly recommend the Noosa Ultra Trail as an event. The trails are fantastic and Noosa is of course Noosa. My only piece of advice would be to do plenty of midday training as even though it’s now officially autumn you still have to be ready for the Queensland heat!
