What’s thenext.run?
Boston Marathon
It’s all gone virtual! Known for it’s race buzz and atmosphere bursting with city pride, will it be the same?
For 2020 participants in the virtual 2020 Boston Marathon will be required to complete the 26.2 mile distance within a six hour time period and provide proof of timing to the B.A.A. All athletes who complete the virtual race will receive an official Boston Marathon program, participant t-shirt, medal, and runner’s bib.
Much loved and on many bucket lists for a reason. If you’ve got a 3 hour matharon under your belt, it’s the iconic race in, the iconic city.
What you need to know for 2021
For the 2021 Boston Marathon, qualifying times must be run on or after Saturday, September 14, 2019.
The qualifying times below are based upon each athlete's age on the date of the 2021 Boston Marathon (April 19, 2021).
Qualifying times are based on official submitted net time (also known as chip time).
Due to field size limitations, achieving one's qualifying standard does not guarantee entry into the event, but simply the opportunity to submit for registration.
Bruny Island Ultra
It’s my next run holiday! Hopefully we’ll be allowed to travel to it.
Got a few marathons under your belt and wondering what else is out there? The Bruny Island Ultra offers you an opportunity to up your game whilst enjoying one of the most picturesque landscapes in the world. You can do this. Its what you’ve been training for!
Feral Ultra
A very rare opportunity to run on the Bibbulmun Track saw the Feral Pig Ultra introduced to the Perth Hills in 2017. Now it’s fourth year is this stunning location, the Feral Pig Ultra is back again.
With distances including 100 Miles, 100km, 50 Miles, 50k, 23k and the kids porkrun 5k, there is a fantastic opportunity to take in this amazing asset of ours throughout the Darling Range.
Part proceeds of all adult entry fees goes to the Bibbulmun Track Foundation to assist in the upkeep of the trail and numbers are capped at 300 and spread over the 2 days to minimise traffic over the track at any given time.
Moon Shadow
Running at night makes you feel like a bit of a proper runner. but beware getting a headlamp put’s you on a slipperly slope to a running kit addition.
Starting with a hill to get the engine revving, and wide trails to allow passing Perth Trail Series’s Moon Shadow run rewards with awesome views of landscape, towards the ocean and also the city at night.
If your not familar with a PTS “WOOHOO”, you soon will be as the focus is about enjoying the run with your fellow runners.
Everyone is encouraged to leave the headphones at home and embrace the night time sounds of nature, footsteps, puffing and panting and encouragement of those around you.
And remember the number one rule - Remeber keep looking for the reflective tape!
Sunshine Coast Trail Festival
The Sunshine Coast Trail Run Festival runs in conjunction with the Sunshine Coast MTB Festival which means that you can combine it with some accomodation and make a weekend off it. Take part in a run and then soak up the atomosphere and witness the bravery of the bike races.
You’ll be running around beautiful Beerwah State Forest on the shores of Ewen Maddock Dam with the majority on winding single track through lush green ferned rainforest. It includes grey rocky trails, creek crossings, some open trails which are great for passing.
This race has something for everyone It caters for the dire hard trail runner, road converts and the kids. A Half Marathon, 11km, 5km and a Kids Mud Rats all on the one morning.
With the madness of COVID-19 entries haven’t opened yet but Trail Run Australia have been updating their website regularly with new dates and details.
Margaret River Ultra Marathon
As locations go for a trail race - you don’t get better than the Margaret River Ultra. Rapid Ascent do fantastic events in perfect loactions. Need I say more.
I ran this event for the first time last year as a newly transplaneted East Coaster moved to Western Australia. It was a great introduction to what lies south of Perth and also to my newly adopted running group - BT Run Club.
I teamed up with 3 others to run the 5 leg 80km group event. Click below for Leg maps and descriptions.
Leg 1: 10.5km Hamelin Bay to Boranup Campsite - myself
Leg 2: 18km Boranup Campsite to Contos Campground - Trent
Leg 3: 18km Contos Campground to White Elephant Café - Barry
Leg 4: 20km White Elephant Café to Gracetown - Joel
Leg 5: 13.5km Gracetown to Cheeky Monkey Brewery and Cidery. - myself
The legs take in all the sights - brilliant white beaches, cliff top trails, karri trees, famed surf breaks and iconic headlands. Without much argument I took on the first and last leg. I got to cross the finish line at the Cheeky Monkey Brewery!
We made a weekend of it and arrived just in time for the race brief on the Friday afternoon, carbed up and went to bed with only a small sample of the breweries finest. We had to be up early for the 0700 start on Saturday.
Despite rain over night the weather cleared for start time and we had a fantastic race. We had been warned about the large stretches of sand in Leg 3 but Barry took it all in his stride. If you haven’t run on sand before definately get some training in your prepation - it will pay off in spades. All legs have at least some sand running. Good compression socks and sand gaiters are recommended also to keep the sand out of places you don’t want it.
We went with zero expectation but ended up coming in 5th in the Mens team event overall, but the best part of the weekend for me was the Sunday kids run and presentation.
My son Aston (at the time 4 years old) signed up because he wanted to run like his very proud Dad. The motivation of a man dressed as the Squirrel’s Nut Butter (it’s a thing) mascot chasing him down was all he needed to get around the 1.5km course without stopping.
COVID-19 meant this years event needed to resheduled from the normal May but Rapid Ascent have today locked in the date. Mark it in your calendars - 16/10/2020 thru 18/10/2020. This will be the third year the event has run and Aston and I will be there chasing the vibe and PBs.
Brisbane Trail Ultra
The Brisbane Trail Ultra marathon is staged in Brisbane where locals have long enjoyed the 36000 hectares of D’Aguilar National Park;s expansive eucalyptus woodlands, subtropical rainforests and gorges, all within a stone’s throw away from the vibrant Brisbane city centre.
Perth Running Festival
The revised date is confirmed 27/09/2020.
Billed as the one to lure international runners, this marathon should be on every runner’s bucket list. Whether you’re a competitive distance runner or if it’s your first marathon, this fast and flat course will not disappoint. A PB run for sure
All courses see runners finish inside the spectacular Optus Stadium, crossing the finish line is a moment you will never forget!
Birdy's Backyard Ultra
There is only 1 winner. Everyone else is guaranteed a dnf. A DID NOT FINISH. If you are not at the starting Corral at the start of each hour, every hour, you dnf. Keep going until you drop. A mentally and physically challenging concept like no other. An ultra format like no other.
And yet here we are, our own World Championship affiliated backyard ultra right here in Western Australia. A 6.71klm loop around Lake Towerinning and respectfully titled after the Mythical legend in Big Birdy.
And the theNext.Run crew will be there running, come and see us!
Isolation Running Series
Trail Running has been to myself and to thousands of people a way to deal with different struggles in life, from mental health problems like anxiety, depression , PTSD, etc, to simply a way to grow as individuals helping us reconnect with ourselves and to nature. Trail running is also a great way to keep your body in good shape.
In response to the COVID-19 lockdowns local WA convert Juan has created a virtual trail series focused around Margaret River.
This crisis will last for a while, the Open Trails Isolation Running Series is a way for locals in the Western Australia South West (particularly Margs) to go out in the bush/forest for a run/hike and get a taste of what trail running is.
Best of all it’s a free event.