Beer-fuelled strategy the key to success in 100-mile race

[ad_1] Greater than 700 athletes from 27 nations descended on the Grampians/Gariwerd Nationwide Park in western Victoria this week, chasing glory in Australia's first internationally recognised ultra-distance path occasion.

Among the many runners within the 100-mile race was Nepal's Sangé Sherpa, whose beer-fuelled technique and mountain-hardened endurance made him a crowd favorite, even when he didn't take the win when he crossed the road on Saturday.

"Generally if there is a beer [offered en route], I simply drink it," he mentioned.

"Often after the race we take pleasure in [a beer] so much, so why not throughout the race?

"It will possibly change your thoughts and assist you overcome the ache and wrestle."

Sangé Sherpa has competed in ultramarathon races throughout the globe. ( ABC Information: Peter Quattrocelli )

The 44-year-old works as a porter on Kangchenjunga in Nepal's jap area, and he mentioned his transition into path operating was a pure development from his life at dwelling.

"I used to be born in a really distant village," he mentioned.

"No vehicles, no transportation — the whole lot you do is in your toes. Since childhood I have been in nature." The 100-mile occasion took most opponents greater than 24 hours to finish. ( Provided: GPT 100 )

In 2025, Sherpa has already accomplished ultra-distance races in Hong Kong, France, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand and Indonesia.

After taking line honours in final 12 months's Grampians race, he confronted stiff competitors from a subject of worldwide runners this 12 months, drawn by the occasion's official recognition as a part of the World Path Majors circuit.

Sherpa completed the 100-mile course in simply over 26 hours, ending sixth within the males's class.

American athlete Caleb Olsen, at the moment ranked because the second-best 100-miler on the planet, claimed victory in a course file time of simply over 21 hours.

Hong Kong competitor Man Yee Cheung gained the ladies's 100-mile race in slightly below 28 hours.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">Grampians joins world path operating elite The Grampians race is the one leg of the tour in Oceania, becoming a member of occasions held in iconic areas like Mt Fuji in Japan and the Pyrenees in France.

"What a privilege it's for the Grampians to play host to the Australian leg, representing this area on a worldwide stage," occasion director Colin Taylor mentioned.

Greater than 700 runners from 27 nations competed this 12 months throughout two occasions — a 50-kilometre race and a 100-mile race.

"For a lot of of them, it was their very first time in Australia and their first time within the Grampians," Mr Taylor mentioned.

Sangé Sherpa racing on the Grampians Peak Path in 2024. ( Provided: GPT 100 )

He mentioned the race adopted the whole Grampians Peak Path throughout the mountain vary, from Mount Zero within the north to Dunkeld within the south.

"There are many 100-mile races all through the world, however what's distinctive about this one is that it is single-track," he mentioned.

"What meaning is extremely technical terrain underfoot — your physique and thoughts are consistently having to work."

Greater than 700 athletes took half on this 12 months's occasions. ( Provided: Kate Proctor )

The Victorian and federal governments invested a mixed $34 million into the nationwide park, with the Grampians Peak Path opening in 2021.

Whereas path operating may nonetheless be thought-about area of interest in some circles, the game has a devoted following, and the Grampians occasion has grown sevenfold since its inception in 2023.

The state authorities believes the occasion might develop into a significant tourism drawcard for western Victoria.

Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos in contrast it to the Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Highway Race, citing the optimistic affect it might have on native lodging and hospitality companies.

"It's going to begin gaining gravitas, and we will help it develop into much more outstanding — this sort of sport lends itself so properly to tourism," Mr Dimopoulos mentioned.