Asked and written by Elle Finch
Today, we’re hearing from three participants at the Pilliga Ultra – Hannan, Michelle and Tia. We talk about their memorable moments, how PU compares to other running events and the influence that the unique landscapes of Pilliga had on their experience and perspectives of environmental protection and Indigenous land care.
Can you please tell us a little bit about your time at the Pilliga (e.g. runner, volunteer, camped, stayed multiple days, etc).
Hannan: For me, the Pilliga Ultra was an opportunity to catch up with my weird and wonderful running friends and family from all over the state. Across the weekend we ran the Grand Slam (10/50/20km races), camped in an incredible landscape, hung out by the fire, volunteered, listened to live music and even attended a pottery class!
Michelle: I had the pleasure of attending the Pilliga Ultra as part of the FWP volunteer crew. I arrived Thursday afternoon and jumped right into various tasks such as painting the podium backdrop, threading medals and other event preparations. Friday morning was spent out on trails doing some last minute clearing of overgrown sections on the 50km course. This was my first time experiencing the Pilliga forest and it did not disappoint!
The rest of the weekend was a fun mixture of vollie jobs, hanging out at event HQ and connecting with all the wonderful people who attended. On Sunday, I ran in the 20km event and was blown away by the camaraderie among fellow runners as well as the stunning landscape and wildlife along the trails—although I didn’t appreciate the swooping magpie near the finish!. After the event wrapped up on Sunday, the volunteer crew powered through pack-up tasks and capped off the day with a wholesome dinner, the perfect way to end such a fantastic weekend.
Tia: I came to the Pilliga Ultra as a runner, participating in the 20k event, but also supporting friends running the 50k and the Grand Slam. I road tripped out from Sydney and camped at Pilliga Pottery on the Friday and Saturday night.
What was your most memorable moment from the Pilliga Ultra event (it can be anything over the several days)?
Hannan: It’s hard to choose a single moment (the weekend was full of them), but halfway through the 50k, coming up along a ridgeline and looking west over the expanse of the Pilliga to the distant Warrumbungles as the sun came up would have to be up there. (Plus the beers at the end, obviously).
Michelle: It’s tough to choose just one, but probably the build-up to, and the moment when, the last 50 km runner crossed the finish line. The speakers were blasting her requested song, which the sweeps had radioed in just moments earlier. Her two young daughters joined her for the final 20 meters, and she was cheered on by a dedicated group of supporters and runners who had stayed all day— approx. 10 hours after the start—to cheer for every single finisher. It was a really beautiful finish to the 50 km event.
Tia: The epic community vibe. This one was less about the running for me and more about hanging out with a bunch of amazing people who care for wild places and having a good time. The highlight for me was sitting around at the finish/start line and chatting, laughing and supporting everyone doing their thing! Group dinners and the general welcoming vibe around Pilliga Pottery was a huge vibe for me. It was also a very pup friendly event which was a massive plus for me!
How did the unique environment of the Pilliga Forest influence your experience?
Hannan: I’ve run in some pretty amazing landscapes but the Pilliga was incredibly unique – remote, arid, expansive, and thanks to a deluge a few days before the event, alive with wildflowers. One of the great things about trail running is the experience of being humbled by the environments you move through and this was in no short supply.
Michelle: The single track was so fun to run on, and I loved the sections with sandstone caves, overhangs, and clifftops. Running along the clifftops really highlighted how serene and peaceful the area is. And the wildflowers in bloom added to the beauty of it all.
Tia: One of the most pristine places I’ve run. It truly was a pleasure to be welcomed onto Country and to experience a place that is so rich in biodiversity and raw nature was incredible. Sleeping under the stars with almost no artificial light pollution was unbeatable!
How did the Pilliga Ultra compare to other running-centric events you’ve been to / participated in?
Hannan: Everyone loves a running event, the race vibes, the personal challenge, the camaraderie, a bit of spice to keep it all exciting. The Pilliga Ultra had all this but it differed from other events I’ve participated in because at the forefront of it all was the stark reality that places like the Pilliga are constantly under threat from all kinds of development and extractivist processes. There was an obvious sense of shared responsibility across the weekend – we were there not just for ourselves, but to raise awareness and to protect these places.
Michelle: I think the remoteness of the Pilliga Ultra attracts people with shared values, creating a sense of community where everyone feels connected. There’s no sense of ‘eliteness’—everyone is friendly and open to conversation, which creates a unique atmosphere I haven’t experienced at many, if any, other events. It’s not just about the running; it’s also about being there, taking in the area, and appreciating how special the forest is.
Tia: I’ve done a few big mainstream ultras and this one surpassed those for sure! Smaller events like this allow you to connect more thoroughly with the other people at the event. It was also pretty epic staying, eating and hanging out on site.
What impact has participating in the Pilliga Ultra had on your perspective of environmental conservation and Indigenous land care?
Hannan: The event highlighted the responsibility that we have, as runners who rely on these amazing places, to celebrate and care for them in ways that ensure they exist into the future. Being involved in an event where conservation was such a primary focus, listening to the grass roots and Indigenous groups that have been working so hard for so long to protect the Pilliga reiterated the importance of conservation to running. The event highlighted how important wild places are for running (obviously), but also to escape the city, the chaos and disconnection of modern life. Without incredible landscapes to run through trail running is just road running.
Michelle: It’s easy to take nature for granted, which is why events like the Pilliga Ultra are so important—they remind us how fragile and at risk many of our wild places are. Individually, it can feel overwhelming to think we have any control over large-scale environmental destruction. However, when you come together with like-minded people and hear directly from passionate and knowledgeable Traditional Owners, you feel empowered and inspired to take action. This event has helped me realise that every effort, big or small, contributes to protecting and preserving places like the Pilliga Forest.
Tia: Significant impact. Meeting one of the elders of the on the first day of the event will stick with me. Having such a memorable experience in an under threat environment allows you to have a deep rooted connection with a place. The Pilliga Ultra shows the importance of giving people the opportunity to visit places like the Pilliga Forest so when we fast forward not even 3 weeks later, to hear that ~500 ha of the Pilliga Forest is set to be cleared it makes you care more deeply than if you’ve never stepped foot in the area.
Thank you to Hannan, Michelle & Tia for taking the time to share their experience at the Pilliga Ultra with you all. Next week, we’ll hear from more runners about their time in the Pilliga.
Register your interest to participate in the next Pilliga Ultra here.
