Pre Race Info
Runner Guide
The runner guide contains everything you need to know for the event. It is a very important document which all runners must read.
You can view the 2023 Runner Guide below. The 2024 Runner Guide will be released closer to the event date.
Runner Lists
Race week runner lists can be found on the event app from 4 weeks out from race day.
Start/Finish Village
We're headed back to Scenic World for our start lines and finish line for 2024. Scenic World has been home to so many iconic UTA memories, and we can't wait to create many more at this years UTA.
Here's what you can expect:
Start Lines
For the UTA100 and UTA50, your start line will return to being under the big finish arch. We will flow you into chute as you line up pre-start, before then heading out through recovery, turning right and then left onto Cliff Drive.
For the UTA22 and UTA11 - runners are so speedy that there will be finishers in these distances before all runners have even started, which means we will have a separate start line set up for you, as shown on the map. You'll roll straight out and left onto Cliff Drive.
Finish Line
The finish line will be in a slightly different location to previous Scenic World finish lines, however runners will still make their way right to the top of Furber Steps, along the boardwalk, past the entrance to Scenic World, through the hoards of cheering spectators, and underneath the finish arch. There's more opportunity for high-fives and pictures, for you to soak up the emotion of your amazing achievement. Remember, you can have friends and family join you in the finish chute - they'll be able to do so just next to the Scenic World entrance. Please be courteous to other finishers - this is their moment too!
After you cross the finish line and have your medal placed around your neck, you'll flow through recovery - with food and beverage options for you to peruse, as well as medical on hand. When you're ready, you can exit recovery and join your friends and family, kick back and cheer on other runners.
Drop Bags
Finish line drop bags will be located in the newly re-furbished CMS, to the south of the venue. Massage can also be found here.
Food & Drink
A range of Food Vendors will be operating within the venue, in case you're feeling peckish. All of these are local vendors from the Blue Mountains region.
A bar will be operating, on the north side of the finish chute. You can crack a cold one and cheer on runners, but please only do so within the licensed area.
Merchandise
Pick yourself up some sweet merch to commemorate your finish, and even get your medal engraved at the merch tent.
Scenic World Event Lounge
If you've got crew hanging around waiting for you to finish (especially during the early hours when it gets nippy) send them into the Scenic World Event Lounge, where there will be a live feed of the finish line, and food and drink available.
Race Check-In
Race check in for UTA is done at KCC Auditorium, located on the corner of Cliff Drive and Violet St, opposite Scenic World in Katoomba. Please refer to the event schedule for the exact times of UTA race check-in.
At race check-in you will collect your race pack which includes your race number and other items of mandatory equipment such as maps, course descriptions and emergency instructions. Also included in your race pack is also a bag timing tag. This is a separate timing tag to be attached to your backpack.
Only the person registered can pick up their race pack, and can only be collected during check-in opening hours. They will not be posted out prior to the event.
What to bring to check-in:
- Photo ID (driver’s licence or passport):
- Mandatory gear check certificate (UTA100 Only): Gear check will be available during the same time as check-in at KCC, or you can also perform an early gear check in the months prior to the event.
Race Director Welcome
When: TBC
Where: TBC
We're excited to announce that we're bringing back the in-person runner welcome and race director briefing in 2023!
This will be held from 5:30pm-6:15pm on Friday 12 May at the KCC Auditorium. Runners will be welcomed by David King, before hearing from Race Director Nick Christopher, Course Director and Founder Tom Landon-Smith, and Safety Director Lucas Trihey.
This is not a mandatory race briefing, but a get together, welcome to country and welcome to the event, the evening before our UTA50 and UTA100 kick off!
If you can't make it but wish to tune in, the full recording will be available to view on our Facebook page afterwards.
We hope you come along, reconnect with the community, hear from our team and get yourselves excited and ready for race day. We look forward to seeing you there!
Download the App
To help ensure you have the best possible UTA experience, please download the latest version of Ultra-Trail Australia app. It has the full event schedule, course maps and other key event information you need ahead of arriving in Katoomba.
Your family & friends will also be able to follow you on race day so make sure they download it too!
Mapping App
We highly recommend installing the Capra Maps App for free and loading the course map into your smart phone for finding your way around the course in training. It will also be useful during the event in case you need first aid assistance on the course and need to describe your exact location.
Race Day Course Markings
All UTA course will be marked with red directional arrows on a white background '→', red crosses on white background 'X' and pink flagging tape. There will also be reflective tape on night-time sections.
There will be course markings at least every 500m and at every track junction. At all track junctions there will be an arrow indicating the direction of the route as well as confirmation pink flagging tape along the correct route. There will also be a cross on the tracks that you should not take. There will be a distance sign every 5km.
You do not need to navigate your way along the course with a map and compass, however, for safety reasons you are required to carry a compass, the course map and course descriptions. A double sided, A3 colour map of the course and course descriptions will be provided to you at Race Check-In.
