Let's Chat GPT100
AI could never generate a course like this
There were a few different ways I could have chosen to finish off the year. After an early drop at Worlds, I could shut things down, have a longer off season, and reset for next year. I could hop in the most competitive race I could find after waiting for my knee to heal, which probably would have been UTCT 100k. The other option was to look ahead to next year and think about what would set me up best for my longer term goals. I believe the Grampians Peaks Trail 100 miler (GPT100) does that.
The ability to travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world and run through unique foreign landscapes is one of the things I love most about the fortunate career path I’m now finding myself on. I want to explore as many places as possible, and I want to bring my family (and friends) along whenever possible. Australia is a completely new place for me. The Grampians range has a recently completed trail through its entirety that happens to be exactly 100 miles from start to finish, through rugged, technical terrain. It’ll be a long, slow, tough adventure. For context, the current course record is just over 24 hours. I plan to have minimal crew and no pacers, with the intention of treating this as a learning experience for my primary goal of 2026: the full loop around Mont Blanc.
Doing new things can be scary. I’ve never raced longer than 14 hours and 40 minutes. I’ve done 100 miles, but 100 Western States miles does not equal 100 Grampians or Alps miles. I want the experience of racing through a night, of encountering weather and having to adapt to changing conditions, of experimenting with different types of nutrition strategies that might work better for longer periods of time. If I can push myself to move efficiently through demanding terrain for 20+ hours, my theory is that I’ll have worked out some of the kinks and be more prepared for UTMB next summer. This is less about physical preparation, more about psychological, logistical, and emotional preparation.
But wait, there’s more. The GPT100 also happens to be a Hardrock qualifier, so assuming I finish I can start collecting lottery tickets for that. It is the second-to-last event in the World Trail Major series, which I’m a big fan of and have already completed another event in the series by racing Transgrancanaria earlier this year, so this race will give me a shot at winning the series title if things go well. And last but not least, we’re taking advantage of this trip out to Australia to stick around the area for a bit after the race to do a scenic road trip along the famous Great Ocean Road.
That’s what I had written before actually coming out to Australia and seeing the Grampians for myself. I was sitting on this article because it didn’t really feel right, didn’t feel complete or something. Semi-emotionless words about logically why I was doing GPT100. Now I’ve gotten a little taste of what I’m in for.
The feelings while seeing this course are kind of similar to how I felt seeing the World Champs course. Which was basically like, “oh wow this is going to be really hard.” But this time I’m in for 100 miles of it, and much of it will be in the dark, likely alone. That might sound like I’m complaining, but I’m stoked. I think this will be possibly one of the crazier adventures I’ve been on. I’m weirdly having a hard time getting my head into a race mindset, it really feels more just like an epic journey taking on a challenging but aesthetically pleasing line straight down the middle of the Grampians.
If I can survive this route and come out in one piece, I’ll probably have a good day. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. That sort of thing. I really don’t want to smash a knee again or anything like that, which is super possible on a course like this. The plan is to be cautious and just enjoy the ride, keeping an eye out for snakes and for learnings that can help me in future hard things.
This mountain range makes me wish I knew more about geology. It’s a tectonic work of art. A standalone range of 400 million year old sandstone, forced skyward out of an ancient riverbed, and gradually carved by wind and rain into mind-boggling formations. Organic, fungal rock, like someone dug up a 30 ton truffle and petrified it. Hot, exposed stone is contrasted against spongy, oozing, vibrant green moss. Burnt trees from last year’s bushfire give way to new life as saplings and ferns emerge from the charcoal. Off either side of the ridge you’ve got these endless expanses of flat Australian bush, teeming with kangaroos, wallabies, emus, cockatoos, kookaburras, and all sorts of other funny-sounding critters. Suffice it to say, there are endless natural wonders to take your mind off the daunting distance.
I also underestimated how cool the Australian trail community would be. The race organization has done an impressive job of setting me up for success here, giving me every opportunity to see isolated sections of the course and chat with local legends who know the area extensively and are happy to share their knowledge. At the risk of stereotyping Aussies, they seem to have more of a connection to nature than we do in the US. Little things, like stopping to identify the birds, or point out unique rock formations, or putting their hands out to feel the wet bush as we run through. I’m glad I arrived with enough time before the race to scope out the course and start forming a connection with it. Having memories from social runs on segments of race courses always helps when I hit that part during the actual race.
Obviously I haven’t run the race yet, and who knows how that will turn out, but I’m already glad we came. Morgan and Marshall have been through a lot of travel and interruptions to normal life this year to support my running, and I love having them along with me. It’s hard to know for sure, but Marshall seems to really be enjoying the kangaroos. And I know for a fact that Morgan is.
Welcome to Australia Caleb. All the best with GPT100
Wow. This course and this area looks sick. I had no idea the GPT100 was so incredible.