This unique event almost defies description...but here goes.

Superb organization, stunning scenery, a course that has everything, fantastic atmosphere and great camaraderie. If you do no other trail or ultra race - do this one.

The race starts near Katoomba, about 2 hours west of Sydney, close to the stunning Megalong Valley and winds its way 99.99% offroad to Jenolan Caves. The course is EXTREMELY tough - the organizers insist on a previous sub-4 hour marathon to qualify. I am a 3:15 road marathoner and this trail event took me six hours to complete - I didn't know my stopwatch could go that long.

A lot of fit folks fail to make the seven-hour cut off... and after seven hours of this they're probably glad to get a free ride to the end.

Despite its small size, c. 700 runners, the race organization is extremely professional. Refreshments and toilets at the start, kit drop off, very well stocked water stations all the way to the end of the race, clear signage and good medical facilities (which appeared to be doing brisk business at the end of the race). It must be said that there were some impressive looking cuts and bruises to be seen at the end - the course is 'tricky' in places.

The weather can add to the fun - early parts of the the course have little shade and it gets very hot.

One also gets a good, if somewhat disturbing, insight into the Aussie running psyche - they'll run up a cliff face in scorching heat and keep talking while they do it. Completely bonkers.

If you want to walk like John Wayne for a week - this is the race for you.

For those of you used to turning up at ultra trail runs with only a handful of competitors and having to look after yourself with water and suplies, the Sixfoot Track Marathon will change your view of trail runs. When I turned up at the start of the race I was amazed to see about 500 competitors. This made the run so much more enjoyable as there was always someone to run and talk with no matter what speed you where running at. The route that the race takes changes all the time. You start out with a steep descent which is down a long flight of stairs cut into the cliff face, this will certainly get the quads warmed up. The next part is gradually downhill and lets you get into a bit of a rhythm. At the 16km mark you hit the low part of the course at Coxs River. After that it's UPHILL! for the next 10km. It's so steep most people will find it faster to walk. Just when you think the hard bit is over you have about 8km of very gradual uphill, the sort that just slowly wears you out. Just when you think it's over you have the finish down the steepest hill you've seen in your life.
The support along the way is provided by the Bush Fire Brigade and is the best out of any run I have done. There are so many stops that it is not necessary to carry anything. They are only about 2 to 3 kms apart and have water, fruit, lollies and sports drinks. This is a tough race but a great one. I'll be back next time.

The bush race that all bush races in Australia seem to be compared to may appear a modest event with only 500 participants, but you will be glad there aren't more joining you after a few minutes of this race. At 8 AM, 75 minutes after sunrise, the 6-Ft begins with a steep descent, which includes stairs, into the aptly-named Megalong Valley, then follows singletrack and fireroad net downhill to Cox's River. There are two wave starts 15 minutes apart, a year 2000 addition that greatly alleviated the crush of people in the first few kilometers. Once descended to the valley, runners need to climb several fences via innovative stepladders, and also make river crossings that could get the shoes wet... all typical of the Aussie bush race experience. A loooonnng uphill to The Pluviometer had most runners walking, but then the course levels off so you can get a rhythm going. Water stations were numerous and negated any need to bring a water bottle, even in the warm late-summer conditions of early March when the race is run. Volunteers from the bush fire brigade are good support, but you'll find most spectators nearest the road, with 10K more to run. The last 2K is a nearly-indescribeably steep descent along a scree slope and final stairway to the Jenolan Caves, where the finish line is tucked away on the road beneath your descending trail. Having lived in the USA for 40 years, I found this race to be the polar opposite of the big-production NYC Marathon experience geographically as well as logistically, but no less satisfying. Explore one of the dozen guided cave tours if you have any energy left afterwards. I didn't, with a 4:16 finishing time and 11th place, but will be back in 2001. Training? Plenty of long bush runs and big hills!