the bvrt100s, 2025
- Alun Davies
- Jun 30, 2025
- 6 min read
The Miler
Eight years in and the BVRT100s never fails to satisfy. Following Carl Read's win in the miler back in 2021 (it's been a minute) the penny seems to have dropped with the realisation that this is a fast course!
In the four years since we've seen a fastest trail miler by an Australian on home soil, set by Brad Glover in 2022 (14:44:03), quickly followed by Nickolas Bamford and Paul Jackson getting close in '22 and '23 (14:56:56 and 14:56:40 respectively).
You could argue that these guys did it the hard(er) way - running solo for the most part and backing themselves to get it done. However, it was fantastic to see two athletes put it out there this year and race for the most part of the event. It was nip and tuck for some time but by the ¾ mark at Coominya Kurtis Stirling had opened a 12½ minute lead over Kieran O'Brien and reset the record in a phenomenal 13:58:30. Kieran made it home in 14:29:45, taking over fourteen minutes of Brad's old record. Oliver Clark was third male (fourth overall) in 19:55:07
How fitting to have inaugural winner male winner, Cam Munro (the 'up' course record holder) run Kurtis through the finish, and Brad escort Kieran through.
Meanwhile, the ladies weren't to be outdone!
We didn't get the tight racing at the front that we witnessed in the men's event, with Kelly Romano taking the win and with it taking 49 seconds off the course record set by Kath Judge in 2020, crossing the line in 19:03:34. The win adds Kelly to quite an exclusive list on at the BVRT100s, being only one of four females to crack the 20-hour barrier, the remainder being Kath Judge (twice), Deb Nicholl and Kathryn Austin.
AAARC athlete, Robyn Robertson, crossed in second place in a typically gritty 20:12:29, with Sandy Welsh getting third in 24:32:13.
Maybe it's time to race uphill again?!
There's a great wrap here from Kurtis from Tom and the team at their SEQ Trail and Road Running podcast:
The 200 Mile
Given the nature of ultra-runners, it's puzzling that there aren't too many who've ventured to the start line of this event. It's tough and given it's 'runnable' terrain, it's relentless. Maybe it's just a bit scary? Who knows.
Either way, this year saw just two runners at the start on the Thursday evening. Last year's winner and only finisher, Rhys Williams, and first timer Gareth McGuigan.
This was completely new Territory for Gareth and, while he had a strategy he stuck to stoically for the most part, particularly through the night into Friday morning when conditions were unusually benign and relatively mild. It was evident though, as we got late into Friday that it wasn't one that was going to get him out and back in time. However, he dug in on and got to the turn a shade under 27 hours and wisely made the decision to pull up. The experience will be invaluable in future and no damage done.
Along with Gareth, we had one Rhys Williams! Larger than life and ready to put it on the line.
Rhys found himself the only one still running last year by the time he hit the ¾ mark at Toogoolawah and it seemed to give him something of a spur. From there he dug in and managed to rediscover his running legs.
From there he dug in and managed not only to finish (only the second solo finisher in the event along with Stefanie Awiszus' nail-biting down to the wire finish in 2022), but also set the second fastest time on the course, an hour and sixteen minutes behind Ryan Crawford's course record of 42:37:20.
This year, he was aiming for the record and put it out there. From the start he backed himself and having got to the Brisbane Valley Highway crossing at roughly 5 min/km pace, he set the tone.
In the end, it was too big an ask. Possibly the milder conditions during the first night gave a false sense of security but it wasn't something that could be sustained. He made the turn in 19:38:00, but it was a struggle from there and he had to pull out at Benarkin.
Four our part, while we want to see the 200-mile event keep its place, it's difficult to justify with so few numbers. There have only been twelve finishers with two of those managing to finish twice. With runners spread out there are some safety concerns, primarily the isolation it causes. We'll have a lot to think about in the coming twelve months.
RESULTS
Full results can be found here: The 2025 BVRT 100s. However, a few shout outs are in order to some through the rest of the field:
Carol Wingreen - incredibly, with such an extensive running resumé I was astonished to find that this was Carol's first miler. So please she decided to join the gang at the BVRT and great to see here across the line in 25:17:00 for fourth female.
Muddy Hudson - great to get the job done. After a heart attack and a stint last year, he was given an all clear and gave it everything to finish his miler. He wasn't in the best shape at the finish and spent the night under observation but was out the following day.
Paul Jackson - set the second fastest time on the course for 100 miles last year. He was gunning for it again this year, hitting halfway in 6:50 and sustained an Achilles injury. He's a multiple winner at the BVRT100s and holds the course records for both the 50 mile and 100km, no doubt he'll be back.
Michael Bray - a great run to take out the 100km and come in a full two hours ahead of the next runner ...
The next runner, Shelly Hughes! - first female and second overall behind Michael Bray in the 100km. Shelly just keeps coming up with the goods, no matter what the event. No signs of slowing.
Kath Judge - twice winner of the miler and never there to make up the numbers. Another solid run in the 100km to take second female. And finally, but by no means least, these guys:
Harley and Jessie Quinlan -
Harley took on the 50-mile event a few years ago with Jessie pacing and, unfortunately, got caught up in the quagmire that was the last quarter of the course. A combination of newly graded trail and a deluge of rain leading in and during meant he simply couldn't get it done and was literally stuck.
Fast forward to 2024 and he was back. Again, with Jessie pacing but with an improved chair (still not much more than stock) and a lot more experience of what to expect. When they crossed the line to finish, it was honestly one of the two most emotional moments I've experience in the eight years of the BVRT100s (you'll have to guess the other!)
From the moment they finished last year, the plan was to start and finish the 'Miler. They started early as planned, 6:00 pm on Friday night from Yarraman. No fanfare, barely a soul around and headed off from the Heritage Centre down the hill to the trail head into what was to become the coldest night of the weekend.
They got through Toogoolawah ahead of schedule and were ahead of the checkpoints (as per schedule) until Coominya and the 119km mark. Unfortunately, that was the end of the trip on this occasion. Simply exhausted, but another 45km added to the overall plan.
That plan is set to continue into next year. We can't wait to see it unfold and though the start (pictured below) didn't eventuate to the finish, they've taken a huge march toward ensuring they get there at the next attempt. I'm sure everyone will be behind them once more.
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