Ultra-Trail Australia is the country's premier trail race and the UTMB World Series Major for Oceania, run each May out of Scenic World in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. The 2027 edition spans four days, 13 to 17 May, and draws more than 8,000 runners.
Six distances climb the escarpment, from a 1km kids' run through the 11km, UTA22, UTA50 and UTA100 to the 100-mile UTAMiler. The long courses drop into the valleys on staircases cut into the cliffs and haul back out again, with the Furber Steps near the finish a notorious sting in the tail of the 100.
As a UTMB Major, the longer races need Running Stones to enter: 2 for the UTA22, 4 for the 50, 6 for the 100 and 8 for the Miler, earned by finishing UTMB Index races elsewhere. Plan a season or two ahead. Places sell out quickly when entries open and a waitlist runs once the field is full.
Katoomba is about 90 minutes from Sydney on the Blue Mountains train line, a short walk from the station to Scenic World. Beds in Katoomba and Leura book out for race weekend, so lock yours in the moment your entry is confirmed.
