Well folks it is that time of the year again when runners descend upon the Victorian Alps to grab the Buffalo by the horns and having taken part in the event several times myself I can definitely say it is a real barn burner. This is especially true if you get to experience the arctic conditions we had last year, but all jokes aside please stay safe everyone and do not skimp on gear.

The main events over the weekend and the focus of this preview is the 75k and 42k, however the event also includes a 20k, 10k and kids’ 4k event. There is also the beast that is the grand slam where a few (or many actually with more than 30) have decided they needed some extra time in these beautiful mountains by taking on the 20k, 75k and 42k over the three days.

The race is shaping up to be a great showdown between some of our best local talent but you never know who might make a surprise last minute appearance these days. It is a fantastic weekend in the town of Bright and I am sure many people will be using it for some well deserved family time with a few races, pizza and beer thrown in.

Ultra SkyMarathon 75k Contenders:

Female

• Rochelle Tregear – 5th Mount Solitary Ultra 2016, 9th Mount Solitary Ultra 2017, 4th Great North Walk 100 Mile 2018
• Emma Macintosh – 8th Gold Coast 50k 2015, 6th Run Larapinta – Malbunka Stage Race 2017, 1st Hubert 100k 2018
• Rosie Catton – 8th Surf Coast 100k 2016, 7th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2017, 4th Bright Ultra 50k 2018
• Danielle Kopriva – 3rd Hounslow Classic 68k 2017
• Claire Healy – 1st Razorback 64k 2018, 5th Bogong to Hotham 2019
• Penny Deacon – 2nd Hounslow Classic 68k 2018

Male

• Dan Oehm – 8th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2016, 6th Hounslow Classic 68k 2018, 6th Bogong to Hotham 2019
• Blake Turner – 1st Ultra East 100k 2018, 1st Hounslow Classic 68k 2018, 3rd 9 Dragons 50k 2019
• Scott Baker – 11th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2016, 4th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2017, 10th Mount Solitary Ultra 2017
• Grant Brisbin – 3rd Great North Walk 100 Mile 2017, 3rd Hounslow Classic 68k 2018
• Andrew Lennon – 10th Jabulani Challenge 45k 2017, 4th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2018,
• Thierry Lamarque – 3rd Bogong to Hotham 2018, 6th Ultra Easy 100k 2018
• Christian Warren – 9th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2017, 9th Hounslow Classic 68k 2017
• Andrew Lee – 7th Hounslow Classic 68k 2015, 13th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2016, 6th Hounslow Classic 68k 2017
• Ross Hopkins – 6th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2016, 6th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2017, 3rd Buffalo Stampede 75k 2018
• Ryan Lowe – 1st Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut 2018, 2nd Buffalo Stampede 75k 2018

SkyMarathon 42k Contenders

Female:

• Lucy Clark – 5th Snowies Trail Run 50k 2018, 6th Two Bays 56k 2019
• Simone Hayes – 2nd Jabulani Challenge 45k 2016, 9th Mount Solitary Ultra 2018, 1st Elephant Trail Race 100k 2018
• Aimee Davenport – 11th Six Foot Track Marathon 2018
• Sarah Ludowici – 2nd Mount Solitary Ultra 2015, 3rd Great Ocean Walk 100k 2018, 6th Tarawera 100k 2019

Male:

• Mike Carroll – 14th Ultra Trail Australia 100 2018, 5th Six Foot Track Marathon 2019
• John Winsbury – 5th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2015, 4th Hounslow Classic 68k 2018
• Joel Fitzgerald – 5th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2016, 4th Bogong to Hotham 2017
• Mick Donges – 6th Bright Ultra 50k 2018, 7th Six Foot Track Marathon 2019
• Joseph Dorph – 3rd Hounslow Classic 68k 2016, 3rd Misty Mountain Trail Run 50k 2016
• Mark Lee – 9th Buffalo Stampede 75k 2014, 10th Six Foot Track Marathon 2015, 16th Six Foot Track Marathon 2019

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David Longo

David is a Canberra-based ultra runner who has also lived in Hong Kong. He races regularly both on the HK and Australian ultra scene.