Everything You Need To Know About The Pilliga Ultra

July 30, 2024

race preview

by hilary mcallister

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

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AUTRA Race Report 23-3-2026

By Kate Dzienis • March 23, 2026

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By Dave Martin • March 14, 2026

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AUTRA statement regarding Snowies Trail Run Festival

March 12, 2026

AUTRA has been in direct contact with the organisers of the Snowies Trail Run Festival, In2Adventure, regarding a recent situation involving an athlete and the event’s in‑person safety briefing requirements. In2Adventure has confirmed that the situation was discussed directly with the athlete at the time. From In2Adventure’s account, and for the purpose of clarifying the public record, AUTRA notes the following points: At no stage was the athlete prevented from breastfeeding at the event. The organiser states that the following options were offered to enable the athlete to participate while still meeting safety requirements: a quiet and private space where she could breastfeed while still being present at the briefing; the option to receive the required briefing at the 30 km start line after the start; and the option to change her registration to the 21 km event, where the briefing is conducted on the start line. At no stage prior to event registration on Saturday night did the athlete contact the organiser to advise of her situation or request alternative arrangements, which limited what could be put in place at the time. Face‑to‑face safety briefings have always been a requirement for In2Adventure events due to the remote and higher‑risk nature of the trails. AUTRA was aware that in‑person briefings were used and had not raised concerns about that general approach. The organiser has indicated that this requirement is driven by safety, duty‑of‑care and insurance obligations, and follows previous experience where remote or online briefings resulted in athletes starting events without critical safety information. The organiser maintains that the event was not conducted in a manner that was intended to be non‑inclusive, inflexible or discriminatory, and that decisions made on the day were based solely on safety requirements that apply equally to all participants. AUTRA’s aim in issuing this statement is solely to clarify the context and ensure that the public record reflects the information provided to us by the organiser.