Zoe McRae blazes a trail in Beerwah at Daybreak trail marathon

By Kimberly Grabham.

Congratulations to Zoe McRae, who placed third in the Beerwah at Daybreak run Queensland Trail Marathon. The marathon took place at Mt Beerwah, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, in the Glasshouse Mountains.

Zoe placed third overall in the female category, and first in ages 19 to 29 category, with a time of 04:57:03.

Zoe runs for the love of it. She entered the Beerwah at Daybreak run Queensland Trail Marathon because she wanted a challenge.

What is the difference between trail running and regular running you may be wondering?

Trail running is considered running that is anywhere off the beaten track, or regular running on roads and in urban areas.

Keeping a steady pace while running trails can be tough, as there are varied obstacles. Technical terrain such as rocky paths and muddy trails require focus and concentration on where your feet will land next.

In addition to running regularly, Zoe has strength trained with Coach Jessie Carter, especially in the lead up to the event. Strength training is an essential part of trail running, as you need both the strength to run and to also navigate the different conditions and climb obstacles.

“I did practise what I would eat during the run, which was largely drinks and gels that are comprised of pure carbohydrate,” Zoey said. “The trail was very rocky, with a lot of area having 1.4 kilometres elevation. Some of the track, I had to slide down on my rear. We had to go through the ‘dungeon’ twice, which is a particularly steep stretch of red dirt, hilly path that is renowned and gets slippery in the rain.

“There were many points where you would have to step up on rocks that were as tall as your hip, and then pull yourself up and over. There was a lot of running and climbing, it slows you down a lot, a lot of rugged terrain. It was single trails that you would run through, paths where sometimes people had not been there before, and the width of which a bike or motorbike would not fit through.”

In preparation, Zoe ventured to Griffith to run through some of the trails over there, but nothing could have really prepared her for the trail marathon.

She said that her coach Jessie Carter accounted for all the different terrains and needs that she would have physically, and tailored her training to suit.

 Zoe said that family friend Charlie Wythes provided much valuable advice, having previously run many long marathons before.

“I am really happy with my result, I was definitely not expecting to get a place,” Zoey said.

“I would like to do more marathons, and to do a bigger one, but I haven’t decided when or where yet. I would love to do an ultra (any running event that goes beyond the marathon distance of 42km).

“Jessie was such an effective coach, she did a really good job, and went above and beyond. “She spent thousands of dollars getting up to the marathon to help and support me, and her program and training was wonderful.”

For more information on the different marathons held by Run Queensland, visit  : https://www.runningcalendar.com.au/event/mt-beerwah-daybreak-run/

Zoe is pictured running on one of the rare stretches of straight path on the Beerwah at Daybreak Trail Marathon. Tellingly, one of the hashtags for the race on Instagram is #thehungergames.

Image credit: SOK Images.