The kunanyi Trail Series consists of four events set on the epic trails of kunanyi / Mount Wellington. Each year, the courses are mixed up to keep things fresh, with the Tolosa Half remaining the only consistent fixture thanks to its popularity. This year’s series kicked off over the weekend with the Organ Pipes Classic (original direction). Long time readers may remember I ran the event last year in the clockwise direction and managed to snag second place! This year, the course was reversed, and I can confirm, it’s just as much fun in opposite direction.

I’m running the entire series this year and will be documenting the journey here on the blog. The camera is coming with me for each race, and I’ll do my best to capture the highs, lows, and chaos of racing on the edge.

Expect raw footage, honest reflections, and behind-the-scenes insights from this incredibly fun trail series.

🗺️The Course

The enduro course is a 13km loop that starts and finishes at the Springs. It begins with a little loop on the open road to allow everyone to split up before hitting the single track. Then it’s onto the Lenah Valley track for a short climb then a gloriously fast and flowy 6km of running down to the base of the Old Hobartians track.

The Old Hobartians climb is brutal. 600m of elevation gain in 3km, hence the Strava segment called 3k of hell. Many people would fear this climb but I look forward to it. I do much of my training on that hill and credit it with making me the runner I am today. As a trail runner it is a privilege to have such and epic hill on my doorstep.

The Organ Pipes track is the reward after the big climb. It is up there as one of my all time favourite trails. It is delightfully runnable with spectacular views out either side of the track.

To finish there is a final treacherous descent down the pinnacle track. It is steep and extremely rocky and rough under foot. It is a dangerous way to finish an already fast race.

🎯Race Goals

🏁Race Day

I hitched a lift up the hill in a car full of mates. I did a short warm up with Justin before assembling for the start. Looking along the start line could see many a fast runner. I had hoped to chase a podium position but with Piotr Babis, David Bailey, Alex Hunt, Luke Budd, Justin Dyer and Tom Carr standing alongside me I know it’s going to be a battle. Not to mention the unknown weapons that may have come out of the woodworks.

Caffeine was coursing through my veins, I was positively humming! I wanted laser sharp focus so I didn’t suffer from any silly blunders. Out of gate I was in the thick of it. Everyone always steams off the start at ridiculous speeds that they cannot maintain. Thankfully by the end of the small Lenah Valley track climb I had worked my way up the ranks and had more breathing room. I cruised along behind Luke Budd for a bit before making a move past. As I ran I did my best to film little updates for the video, it was challenging at race pace.

I stalked my next adversary all the way through to Junction Cabin and beyond. I later learned that I was following a bloke called Vinny. He was flying along and I was getting taken for the ride in his slip stream. Just after Junction Cabin I passed him to see Alex Hunt just ahead. I followed him at a brisk pace down to the base of the Old Hobartians track. At the Junction Sam and Jess were filming and cheering. The cheers fuelled me for the gruelling climb ahead.

One of my process goals was to run all the way to the first overhanging cliff before walking. This was going to be a tall ask because I was already feeling flogged from the incredibly fast start. But I stuck to my word and began grinding my way up the hill. I was sandwiched between Alex Hunt with Vinny. Being in a group like this is good accountability to keep me running the hill. Moving well I overtook Alex. Then promptly regretted this decision because I felt the additional pressure of a person right on my tail. I kept pushing hard to hold my position and justify my overtaking manoeuvre.

The extreme exertion was playing tricks with my mind. My thoughts were drifting to places of extreme self doubt. Being ahead of Alex Hunt gave me a strong dose of imposter syndrome. I kept thinking ‘I shouldn’t be up here’ and ‘surely he’s messing with me and will cruise past me any minute now’. Despite these thoughts I kept pushing and looked behind me to see the gap growing.

After the Lost World turn off my pursuers were out of sight. I was relieved, I hate the feeling of being chased and much prefer being the chaser. It wasn’t long till the roles reversed in my favour. I was surprised to glimpse another runner up ahead. As I gained on them I realised it was Piotr. He is a beastly runner and I never expected to get anywhere near him. The self doubt returned with me thinking, ‘he must be just taking it easy today, having a little easy jog’.

Regardless of how hard he was racing I now had a big carrot dangled in front I me and I decided I wanted to catch him. So I continued to push for the rest of the climb, gradually closing the gap. At Pinnacle road he and I were on the road together, he probably had 100m lead on me. With the big climb behind us it felt like we were on the home straight so I threw caution to the wind and somehow picked up the intensity another notch.

The combination of a chase, a looming finish line and the epic views got me fired up beyond belief. I was hooning along, gasping for breath and absolutely loving it. These short fast races are a great opportunity to test my limits and benchmark fitness. I would never have the motivation to push this hard on a training run.

Most of the way along the Organ Pipes I was on my own. Pushing hard to prevent being caught and hoping that I may catch Piotr. I anticipated a fast finish down the Pinnacle track and was slightly concerned about how treacherous it would be. I had a fairly bad fall a few days earlier. If I were to fall on the Pinnacle track at the pace I was moving broken bones would be guaranteed.

I passed Lincoln at the Sawmill track turnoff and asked how far Piotr was. He mumbled something that I presumed meant he was close. Despite not understanding what he said the exchange threw fuel on the fire and the chase was on. I started passing ‘Sport’ course runners and hikers. As I approached the bottom of the Pinnacle track I started to glimpse Piotr again.

When I reached the bottom of the Pinnacle track I was ready to send it through to the end. Piotr and I were both on the stairs down towards the old Springs Hotel together. I am not sure if he realised how close we were. When I got to the final stretch of road he was just ahead and I started running for my life. He finally looked back just before the tiny little hill up to the old Hotel site. He realised what was happening and ramped up the pace. Despite my final push I couldn’t quite catch him and we finished within millimeters of each other.

🥉Results

David Bailey claimed the win, Piotr was 2nd and I was very close behind in 3rd. I was so stoked with the finish. It was a super fun racing experience and that’s what I want out of these events. And I achieved every one of my outcome and process goals! Standing on the podium alongside Piotr and Dave is a privilege that is hard fought and I am grateful for the opportunity.

Results
Position	3rd
Time	1:07:25

Going into this event I didn’t really know where I was at fitness wise. I hadn’t done much speed work or specific training after a summer of haphazard running. I still maintained a hefty volume of running but it was fairly unstructured. With that in mind I was extremely happy with the result and time. It bodes well as a good jumping off point for the big training block ahead. I have a 100 miler to prepare for 😉.

One of the greatest achievements of all was being within a stones throw of David Bailey on the ‘3km of hell’ Strava segment. Juzzy also slapped down a super impressive time. It put’s in perspective how fast Leo Peterson’s time is and how hard it will be to beat. Something for Juzzy and I to aspire to.

⚙️Gear

I kept it super simple on this one, no pack just a running belt with the bare minimum. I learned from last year that I struggle to drink much at high intensity. And it’s short enough to get away without drinking much. So this was my gear list in the end:

• Naked running band (to carry my things)
• 200ml flask with water
• 1 x energy gel (didn’t use but had in case)
• 👟 Salomon Genesis
• 👕 2xu shorts and shirt, Fractel cap, Injinji socks, kmart undies 😉
• 📹 Insta360 Go3s, action pod only
• ⌚ Garmin Forerunner 955
• HR Strap: Coros HRM Strap

Wrapping Up

With the Organ Pipes Classic now done and dusted, the kunanyi Trail Series is only just getting started. Next up is the Tolosa Half, followed by the new event on Mt Nelson called Rialannah, and we wrap things up with the Knockers. Each of these races promises unique trails, gritty climbs, and the same electric race-day atmosphere.

I’ll be running every event, camera in tow, and sharing the journey here on the blog. If you’re keen to join the adventure, whether by racing or spectating, check out the kunanyi Trail Series event page for details and entry links. Let’s keep the stoke high and the legs moving, see you at the next start line!