2025 The Guzzler 100km
Back for another year, and having signed up early as opposed to my usual last minute tickets purchase, I thought I would do it the proper way, as this was my 5th year at the Guzzler 100k. Excited to be part of the 500k Club, and also conscious it would probably be my last 100k at the Guzzler. More on that later.
I won’t spend time on this talking about my training, as it would have been a really short write up. This event was all about muscle memory and mental side of it.
The lead in was not the best, with travelling for work for 5 of 6 weeks prior and also the week before, I had a trip to Shanghai - only to return on Wednesday before the event.
This gave me 2 days to get in the zone and actually check gear and buy anything I needed. Fortunately, I had all the event mandatory gear in suitable condition, and with a tried and tested nutrition guide of Miso, Snakes and Hydro-lytes . I was good to go.
With a reasonable sleep both night before, I ventured to the start line - to be greeted with the awesome community that is The Guzzler. Lots of trail friends, the Mountain Goat Trail Runners, Beacon Hill Runners, Brisbane Trail Runners and everyone in-between.
When the race was about to start, I gathered with Miriam and Renee - who we agreed to start together and hangout for the first x kms together.
Starting the event was the usual amping which is always a great way to start, and with the position we started (in the back 1/4) it was easy not to get carried away in the race and take off to quickly - because basically - you can’t due to the crowds - which is fine by me.
Sharing a the initial hills with Miriam and Renee and a few others who were open to a conversation - as I felt like we were the only ones having a good old chat for the first few kms.
Upon reaching Walk About Creek and our first Reservoir, Renee found a slightly faster group and took off with them ( and that was the last we saw of her).
Just after Enoggera checkpoint, I split from Miriam on the Mt Nebo break up and downs. Still as hilly as I remember it, thank goodness for the poles.
Taking it easy down to Hell Hole and back out again, I was looking forward to getting to the Mountain Goats check point at Gold Creek. Also along this section was a burst of the 50kms which always makes it challenging of finding a suitable pace, and not getting caught up in their speed.
The MGTR checkpoint was relatively quick, thanks to the assistance from Mitch and Shane. Next was the long section to Lake Manchester with all the bonus elevation in this section.
Running around the Gold Creek dam, spent a few kms with Milly, with some into a 30km race tips and then she was off again. The wonders of Hydrolyte on an empty stomach.
Through this section, always lovely with some hill tops and creek crossings provided some refreshing change to the feet, as it has been a warm day and I knew my body temp was higher than some of the previous runs - but still within ok levels.
Miriam caught me at the 55km Mark and we arrived at the Lake Manchester Checkpoint together, and agreed to spend 20 mins to recharge and then go collectively together through the next sections.
Lake Manchester checkpoint, I managed to have about 2 cup a noodle soups and a Tomato Soup - a change of socks, as a few hotspots on my feet - but no blisters as yet.
After 20 minutes, Miriam grabbed me and we were off again - this time for my least favourite section, Job 6, Township Break and the long trek to the final check point.
Upon leaving the checkpoint, there was quite a few kms before Job 6, always under estimate how far, but it was long enough to have a reasonable afternoon sun over the lake, then it dropped and was completely dark by the time we arrive at the start of Job 6. I noted my watch, and started counting down the kms (I give it 4km) until the top of this, I think it’s less - but it’s a continual climb for more than 3 and less than 4km, until we arrived at lightning ridge checkpoint. Enjoying some time at the campfire - topping up water and another cup of noodle soup, we headed to Township Break. Nothing different this time around - usually really steep and slidey down. Regret race decisions. Then the steep climb out. Didn’t feel as bad this year, probably because I didn’t give myself any time pressure on completion.
As expected, once at the top was the long, I think it’s the biggest time zapper section of the course, run walk to the last proper aid station at Jolly Lookout with the Brisbane Trail Runners again. Love the service these guys offer. I sit near the fire, and they run around and look after you. Not needing too much here, as I knew I was on the home straight of 20km ish kms to go and I just wanted to get it done.
By this stage I was walk running with a few others who also a similar pace and was super stoked to get to the end of South Boundary Rd and a bonus snake aid station - saved me getting them out of my pack. This gave me a nice boost up Kokoda and over taking a couple on the way up, which a perceived reasonable speed along Litchfield and then down Mahogany trail to the finish. Thanks to Milly for catching the tiny jumper - but I was cooked after 22 hours on the course.
After having some time to recover, hanging out with Miriam and family to share some stories, get changed then call an Uber home with a sense of urgency as I was conscious that I had to fly to Mumbai at 6pm that evening.
Nutrition:
On Course
6 Allens Snakes every hour
1.5 Liters between each aid station and 6 hydrolytes (with right mixture levels)
Aid Stations:
As much as I could and what I felt like.
Gear:
Trustworthy Lone Peak Altras, although a new pair of arch orthotics left a nasty toe blister at the end.
Same Shorts and MGTR Shirt the whole event.
Black Diamond poles and Salomon Backpack and Quiver.
Add finally, like The North Face 100 (now Ultra Trail) events, I think I have done this enough and will find other adventures in this distance. Although will be back for the 50km to keep in the Community Buzz!
