This year has been a pretty special year for us at Ultra168. Not only have we all witnessed some truly legendary ultra running performances both here and around the globe from the likes of Kilian Jornet, Anna Frost, Ryan Sandes et al, but we have also been blown away by the support and feedback we have received from all our readers for our efforts in bringing ultra running to a wider audience.
It was back in August of this year that we sat down as a team and scoped out some milestones for the first 6 months. Our aim was to live up to the name and bring you trail and ultra information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Well in a year of PB’s this is one to say we are proud of smashing out of the park !
To date we have had over 110,000 people interact with our website, FaceBook, Twitter and YouTube channels in a little over 7 months. They come from all corners of the globe, male, female, young, old, elite, beginner, spectator and commentator. To date we have created with your help over 250 unique posts attracting comments from a whose who of running, over 20 hours of interesting, entertaining and sometimes quirky video footage and over 2000 FB comments and tweets.
We have been at the forefront of global news when it comes to new products, race results and star interviews. Our coverage of Australia’s biggest ultra races has been at times almost as exciting as being their ourselves. And we would like to congratulate the winners of the four big Aussie ultras where records tumbled and the racing was as close as it comes.
And with the power of new media we have brought some of the global races we all love to be part of into our living rooms and onto our iPads, computer screens and smartphones in real time.
As 2011 comes to a close and we start to look towards new adventures in 2012 we are please to say that with your support Ultra168 will raise the bar still further in terms of bringing you the insights on our great sport in our usual no nonsense way. Our aim is to always put the runner at the heart of the story and we are please to say that this approach has made us the number 1 ultra running resource in Australia and New Zealand. For that we only have you, our readers to thank, for not only contributing but also along the way, becoming friends.
As with ultra running itself, we are always keen and eager to improve and so as always if you have any suggestions you feel would add to the experience, then please sing out! We will be on the road a lot more next year bringing more in-depth coverage from here and overseas so if you are racing anywhere on the planet in the next 12 months let us know and look out for some coverage.
And at the end of the day we will always be 4 mates who just love to run with like minded friends.
Have a wonderful last few days of 2011 and we look forward to much more trail running excitement in 2012
Happy New Year and a big thank you from
Andrew, Dan, Darrel and Marcus
Ultra168
Guys the pleasure is all ours. You guys have worked hard to make this website the best portal to all things ultra. Long may it continue. Here’s to a bumper ultra new year.
Thanks Spud, it has been great having you regularly contribute and congrats on your great 2011 full of PB’s
Really enjoyed the Ultra168 site this year, the volume of stories is in itself impressive. Well done guys, look forward to more of the same next year.
Thanks Knoddie, we have some great ideas for 2012 so keep checking in.
Gents,
2011 is my first year at the ultra game and your website has helped tremendously. Thumbs up and a big thank you from me. May ultra168 continue for years to come.
Thanks Steve, if you are racing any of the big ultras in 2012 look out for our training sessions and advice coming soon.
When will you guys do an in depth review on the benefit of hokas and fruit cake…..and make Andrew the test mule?
He would run faster if he wore the fruitcake on his feet and ate the Hokas for nutrition 😉
Hi Rob, I’ve done the fruitcake and Hokas in the past. Still even pack fruitcake for emergency situations, good stuff.
Well done guys. I had been watching overseas online sources for a while thinking how much we needed one locally. But I also had an inkling as to how much work it would take. You have pulled that off and if you keep hanging with Pops he will make you even more famous! Love your work.
Cheers Whippet. Like race directing I imagine, you don’t realise how much work is involved until you give it a crack. Thankfully we all have a blast putting this site together.
well done, always an enjoyable read, and some great tips and reviews, who knows maybe 2012 is the year I go beyond the marathon 🙂
You know you want to 😉
This is a fantastic website and resource for ultrarunners. Interesting, informative content and consistent delivery- keep up the great work!
Thank you Martin for adding to the success with your generosity when it comes to offering up advice to those starting out or experimenting with new things. The world of ultra running is very exciting right now. Good luck in smashing your goals in 2012
Yeah thanks guys for a great year , it was awesome to train and become mates with you on the lead-up to GNW,pity my owner blew out but i had a ball ! i espically enjoyed chasing goannas and wallabies !! stoked you made me a famous dog,my original owners in coober pedy couldnt belive i was all over the world wide web !! all due to you guys ! thanks heaps . woof woof
Don’t worry Cooba, your 15 minutes of fame will come to an end soon, when my two Vizsla puppies get up to speed and hit the ultra scene. Double trouble coming your way on the long stuff ! 😉
vizsla smizla …..youve gotta beat 75km in one hit,with 1min20sec km hill repeats up north scenic then chase the stick or ball all arvo. I await your challenge foreigner dogs !
So Marcus , will i have the pleasure of running with your Vizsla’s for next years GNW training ?;that will make 3 dogs and at least a dozen humans trying to keep up!
Don’t forget Breezy, Jonos kelpie.
Cooba, looking forward to seeing you get a race entry next year and having a go!
Stick with Darrel cooba, he will make you even more famous! 🙂
Congratulations guys on the great site and resource you have put together. Having started out with my first ultra this time last year, it has been great to have access to the thoughts and ideas of others with experience. Can’t wait to see how it grows in the next 12mths!