It’s rather appropriate to call this race, the ‘Daddy’ of ultras in Australia, and the reason why is because it was the birthplace of the first competitive 100-mile race in Australia. Now under new organisation in the form of The Run Inn after Ian Javes’ retirement from organising, the race has seen some changes, but it still very much retains its old skool status.
Just a quick note on Ian, as he’s a man who flies under the radar and should be applauded for his efforts of the last 25 years. Ian is a pioneer of our sport in Australia. Not many people will even know who he is, so quiet and unassuming is his demeanour. Having raced Western States in 1995 and the infamous Sydney to Melbourne run back in 1988 (finishing 12th in a time of 186hrs), Ian set-up the Glasshosue trails in 1990, with the 100 miler coming in 1996. He’s also run his own 100 mile race twice.
Perhaps most infamously though, Ian was one of only three people to finish the Sri Chinmoy 1,300 mile race in 18 days over in the US, running through the middle of a hurricane. Ian was only the second person to reach 1,300 miles in a certified race at that time, less than an hour before the cutoff.
Everyone who has raced a 100 miler in Australia can thank Ian for pretty much starting the 100 miler scene here in Australia.
Now back to the racing. Who’s up front and likely to do some damage on the time sheets?
Let’s start with the 100 miler.
I’ll make the ladies really simple. Kerrie Bremner, that’s all you need to know.
Benjamin Gerhardy looks like a front-runner having won the inaugural Blackall 100 last year as well as consistently placing in the 12hr mark at Ultra-Trail Australia (TNF100).
Anderson Moquiuti is quick over the short stuff and last year scored a 20hr ish 100-mile time in this event. Probable top five contender.
Kieran O’Brien, a Brisbane Trail Runners local has had some good performances over the 50km distance at Glasshouse, as well as finishing fourth at Blackall last year.
The tattooed runner, Mat Grills is in with a shout of a top five potentially having gone sub 20hrs in this race before and finishing sixth last year.
Sam Weir knows a thing or two about running long. He put in a solid time at Tarawera earlier this year running just over the 10-hour mark. Expect him to go well if trained up.
My two favourites on paper however are firstly Cam Munro and Adam Stokes. Cam won this event last year in 17:17 and has plenty of solid form on the Glasshouse Trails. Then there’s Adam Stokes. A big unit of a man, but plenty of gas in the engine. He hasn’t raced for a few years, but has pedigree to boot having run a 17hr 100 miler here a few years back, ‘besting’ Cam’s time from last year. These two if in form will ding-dong all day.
Special mention also to Nic Maloney, who must have clocked up about a million kilometres on this trail now 🙂
Who’s hot in the 100kms?
Without yours truly in the field this year, the field is wide open – I’ve had my calling at GNW for a big sufferfest in the Watagans. (JOKE). I will be back though 🙂
My money is on the part man, part goat local Queensland boy, Ben Malby. Some question his validity to enter the race due to his goat status, but on his day, this guy has a sub 9hr 100km written all over his goat chin. He DNF’ed this race last year having taken a big wrong turn at 90kms, he just needs to keep his head, or rather goat chin 🙂
Suzanne Chatterton is a bit of a weapon around these parts and we hear through the grapevine she’s going well. Probably our favourite in the women to take out Glasshouse 100km title.
Toowong local, Megan Sims could give her a hard time though. She’s placed well at the Buffalo Stampede this year as well as finishing fourth at Blackall last year.
