Last weekend, as I ran the Yandina 50—an event beautifully hosted by Run Queensland—I found myself reflecting on the incredible growth of trail running in Queensland and across Australia.
There are now more events than ever before.
Races of every distance.
Events in spectacular locations.
Challenges that push us physically and mentally.
And that got me thinking.
In a landscape filled with choices, what makes an event the one people choose to enter? More importantly, what makes an event the one they return to year after year?
Of course, practical things matter.
Location matters.
Ease of access matters.
Cost matters.
The quality of organisation matters.
But I have come to believe that what people remember most is not the course itself.
It is how the event made them feel.
Earlier this year, at Easter 2026, Bob and I had the privilege of delivering the Unbroken Team Trail Marathon alongside our great friend, Steve Jackson.
Unbroken began with a simple idea: create an event that brings people together.
Steve is a visionary. He has an incredible ability to see possibilities where others see obstacles, and perhaps more importantly, he possesses a generosity and kindness that makes people want to be part of the journey.
When Steve shared his vision for Unbroken, he could see how naturally it aligned with the values of Trail Trekkers.
Explore.
Connect.
Breathe.
Because Unbroken was never just about running.
It was about connection.
At its heart, Unbroken is different because it asks people to do something we often forget in modern life—it asks us to rely on each other.
To work as a team.
To encourage one another through the night.
To celebrate the highs and carry each other through the lows.
There is something special about watching teammates wait at transition zones, cheering louder for others than for themselves.
There is something magical about sharing meals together between laps.
About sitting under the stars.
About sleeping in tents beside friends.
About stripping life back to its simplest form.
In many ways, Unbroken reminds us that we do not need much to be happy.
Good people.
A trail to follow.
Food shared around a table.
Stories told late into the night.
These are the moments people carry home with them.
The event itself had everything a runner or hiker could want—beautiful trails, a welcoming event precinct, hot showers, food, coffee, camping, entertainment, and community—all right here in our own backyard.
But perhaps its greatest strength was something less tangible.
Belonging.
At Unbroken, whether you are a seasoned ultra-runner, a first-time team participant, or simply someone looking for adventure, you become part of something bigger than yourself.
You become part of a team.
You become part of a community.
And perhaps that is why, in a world where there are more events than ever before, people continue to seek experiences that feel genuine.
Experiences where connection matters more than competition.
Where community matters more than results.
Where memories are created in the quiet moments between the running.
As Bob and I continue this journey with Steve, we remain grateful for the opportunity to create experiences that bring people together.
Because in the end, the trails are only part of the story.
It is the people we share them with that make them unforgettable.
Explore. Connect. Breathe.
— Tracy Baker
Trail Trekkers
