Tracy Baker
One of the best things about trail running is how easily a mate can talk you into something ridiculous — and wonderful. Thanks to Leo and Dan, Bob and I signed up for a multi‑stage race in 2025. Fast forward to now, and I’m sitting down to write a blogagain for Trail Trekkers, reflecting on what these events teach you about running, resilience and community.
Why do people do multi‑stage races? You can’t just decide one morning, “I’ll run 100K,” and expect it to happen. Sure, you need a determined mind, but beyond that the biggest skill is problem‑solving on the move. Distances like these throw up surprises: weather, niggles, gear failures, sleep and nutrition issues. The fastest competitors might finish in 12 hours, while the rest of us — are out there 16–18 hours or more. Things rarely go to plan, and your ability to adapt is everything.
Preparation matters. I’ve done a 100K and loved every minute, but the work beforehand was enormous. You need training, yes, but also a support network — family, friends and running buddies who back you through the buildup. Multi‑stage races add another dimension: you must think about nightly recovery, fuel, shoes, socks, and how you’ll attack the next day. Those small choices add up.
We recently took part in a three‑day multi‑stage in Denmark, WA in 2025. I did the short course (17 km, 24 km, 21 km) and Bob tackled the long course (around 30–35 km then 42 km). Breaking a big distance into stages makes the challenge feel more manageable, though it requires a different kind of mindset: getting yourself out of bed and moving again after a day of racing is its own mental test. Choosing the right event matters — the Bibbulmun in Denmark is a brilliant starter multi‑stage: scenic, achievable and perfectly set up for newcomers.
Our first multi‑stage was the Southern Lakes Ultra in New Zealand — a six‑day, remote, camping event. That one taught us so much about planning, logistics and community. Multi‑stage running is a brilliant way to connect with like‑minded people. You live and breathe running together for days: you support each other, share stories, swap tips and form friendships that last.
The landscape is another irresistible draw. Multi‑stage races take you through places you can only reach on foot — wild, beautiful country that you wouldn’t experience by running suburbia. Being immersed in that environment is great for the mind; it reconnects you with yourself and others.
Training tip: do back‑to‑back sessions. For our six‑day event we did four consecutive days of training; for the recent three‑day race we did three days of running as part of our preparation. Six weeks out, try to simulate race conditions as much as possible — terrain, nutrition, gear and daily recovery.
Multi‑stage running is accessible: many events offer short and long courses, so you don’t have to be fast to participate. One of our Trail Trekkers hiked the entire short course at Denmark and had an incredible experience — not last, not racing, but moving across the ground and enjoying it all. That’s what Trail Trekkers is about: exploring, connecting and being present.
We’re already planning more trips — another crew to Bibbulmun in November 2026 and possibly a new Rapid Ascent multi‑stage race will be announced shortly. If you’ve ever wondered about trying a multi‑stage, start small, train smart, find good company and give it a go. You might be surprised at how much you love it!
Written by Tracy Baker
