If you were to design the perfect trail running event from scratch — stunning location, technical but runnable terrain, global prestige, an incredible community, and distances for everyone from first-timers to elite ultra runners — you'd probably end up with something a lot like Ultra-Trail Australia. Held annually in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, UTA is the flagship UTMB-series event in the Asia-Pacific, and it's become one of the bucket-list races for trail runners across the region.
The Blue Mountains is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Australia. UNESCO World Heritage-listed, it's a vast sandstone plateau carved by millions of years of erosion into a dramatic wilderness of deep gorges, thundering waterfalls, ancient forests, and sheer cliff faces. Running through it — on trails that wind along the escarpment edge, descend into valleys, and climb back out via steps carved into the rock — is a genuinely otherworldly experience. Scenic World in Katoomba serves as the event hub, athlete check-in, and expo centre.
The 2026 HOKA UTA by UTMB runs from Thursday 14 May to Sunday 17 May. Distances on offer include the UTA100 (100km, one of the classic UTMB-series races), UTA50 (50km), UTA22 (22km, perfect for trail newcomers), and UTA11 (11km). Each distance offers a different experience of the Blue Mountains, with the longer races descending deep into the valleys and the shorter distances showcasing the escarpment views.
UTA uses the UTMB Running Stones system for entry qualification. The UTA100 requires 6 Running Stones, the UTA50 requires 4, the UTA22 requires 2, and the UTA11 is open entry. Running Stones are accumulated by completing UTMB-index races around the world, so if you're building your trail racing CV with an eye on UTA100, plan ahead. The UTA races sell out extremely quickly upon entries opening, and a waitlist system operates when the field limit is reached.
Katoomba is roughly 90 minutes from Sydney CBD by train — the Blue Mountains Line from Central runs directly to Katoomba Station, which is a short walk from Scenic World. If you're driving, the M4 motorway will get you most of the way. Accommodation in Katoomba and Leura fills up fast around UTA weekend, so book the moment your entry is confirmed.
