Everything You Need To Know About The Pilliga Ultra

This September, runners from across the country will come together in Gomeroi Country for the Pilliga Ultra, a three-day celebration of running, community, and nature.

The Pilliga Ultra is much more than a race. Over the event weekend, runners will participate in workshops, attend local tours, learn about Gomeroi cutulture and enjoy a range of entertainment. The goal of the Pilliga Ultra is to bring people to this often overlooked part of New South Wales, and appreciate this unique and vulnerable landscape.

The event kicks off on Friday, September 13th, with a twilight 10k, followed by the 50k ultramarathon on Saturday and the 20k on Sunday. You can tackle one, two, or even all three of the events. The field is capped at 200 runners across the three events, creating a relaxed, supportive, and fun atmosphere for all. Registrations are now open.

The event takes place at Pilliga Pottery, which is a unique, off-grid oasis nestled in the Pilliga Forest. This family-run farm has been lovingly created by the Rickert family over several decades, and has all of the essential ingredients for a wholesome weekend; delicious home cooked meals, excellent coffee, creekside camping, bespoke accommodation and most importantly, a vast network of trails to explore.

PU10

On Friday night, runners and hikers will set off at 4pm for a fun yet challenging route that takes in some of the best views of the forest. Starting with a flat, easy section to the Panorama Loop, which offers wonderful views south towards the Warrumbungles. The PU10 event can be hiked or run - please note cutoff times will be in place at the Aid Station.

Thick with Flannel Flowers in spring, this technical section is what single-track dreams are made of. After traversing east on undulating single-track, you merge onto a rough fire road, gradually ascending, before swinging south down a playful, gradual descent that connects to farm roads, leading you back to the Pottery.

• Elevation Gain: Approx. 241 meters
  
• Start time: 4:00pm Friday
• Finish time: 6:30pm
• Total Time for PU10: 2.5 HRS
• Aid Station 1 - 6.5km

PU50 Ultramarathon

Starting at 6am on Saturday morning, the ultramarathon explores the many different rugged landscapes of the Pilliga forest. Get ready to experience exposed escarpments, native pine groves, grassy gullies, amazing rock formations, hidden caves, and vast vistas across the neverending Pilliga forest. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and circling wedge-tailed eagles overhead.

The trail is a combination of technical single track, with short and steep hills, rocky outcrops, and relaxing farm roads. From the farmland, the trail takes you into the scrub winding up and down rocky ridgelines, in and out of water-cut valleys and through ironbark forests. There are excellent viewpoints along the higher sections, some of which require a brief out and back. Highlights include Maria’s Lookout and Kerry’s Lookout.

• Start 6:00am Saturday
• Finish: 6:00pm
• Total time for PU50: 12 HRS
• Aid Station 1 - 12.4km
• Aid Station 2 - 20.5km
• Aid Station 3 - 30km
• Aid Station 4 - 44.5km

PU20

The Pilliga Ultra 20km event includes an incredibly varied landscape and all the most technical elements of the 50km course. The trail is a combination of technical single track, that follows handcrafted singletrack and rambling fire trails. The 20k event can be hiked or run - please note cutoff times will be in place at the Aid Station.

The entire loop contains hidden and impressive rock formations, with plenty of caves, canyons and chasms along the route. From the farmland, the trail takes you into the scrub winding up and down rocky ridgelines, in and out of water cut valleys and through ironbark forests, which are home to wallabies, emus, wombats and unfortunately, plent of wild goats.

Be prepared to run through overgrown sections, jump the occasional fallen tree and get wet feet if the creeks are running! There are excellent view points along the way, with sweeping views to the Warrumbungles to the south.

• Start time: 7:00am Sunday
• Finish: 12:30am
• Total time for PU20: 5.5 HRS
• Aid Station 1 - 8.5km = 9:30am

If you’d like to join us in the Pilliga Ultra, then you can sign up today. If running or hiking doesn’t take your fancy, you can volunteer either on course, or at the event headquarters. AUTRA members are eligible for a 10% discount off event entry, which can be redeemed via this unique registration link.

For more information, head to www.pilligaultra.com or reach out to event organisers at pilliga@forwildplaces.com