It’s a Wrap! Thank You for an Incredible BTU 2025! 🎉
BTU 2025 – You Made it Unforgettable!
What. A. Weekend. The dust has settled, the medals are hanging proudly, the legs are sore—and the smiles are still going strong!
From the first runner over the start line to the last runner crossing the finish line, BTU 2025 Golden Trail Series Powered By Salomon was one for the history books. Records were smashed, new course records created, whether you tackled the BTU10 or BTU20—every single one of you inspired us with your grit, determination, and trail spirit.
This year, BTU ran as a reduced event with just the BTU10 and BTU20, as our Race Director, Shona Stephenson, took a "rest year" in an effort to return to former health. True to BTU tradition, Shona still battled through (yes, another chest infection—the usual challenge for an asthmatic, coeliac, with carb intollerance!) to make sure the course was marked, safe, and ready for your adventure. When out marking the course for you she knew the records were going to be SMASHED! The course was in fantastic condition, super “smooth surface ;D” for a BTU, thanks to Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service!
What kept Shona going? Your smiles, your finish line moments, your achievements.
The BTU has never been about simply running laps. It’s always been designed as a stepping stone—a confidence-building, resilience-testing event to help prepare you for greatness on the global stage. The vert is the BIGGEST it can possibly be for the distance travel in the area. If you can conquer a BTU, with its "Shona-style" creative course distances, technical sections (always a little longer than advertised!), you can race anywhere in the world and be pre-pared for the unexpected, creeks, rocks, boulders, massive descents, killer climbs, and of course massive Hi-Fives and Hugs at the finish line.
Despite being a reduced year, the BTU field shone brightly with international flavour—runners from New Caledonia, Indonesia, Japan, Germany, Belgium, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Singapore, and across Australia, including those making the epic journey from WA, joined the start line. Each of you earned the honour of placing that Australian Made, handcrafted BTU medal thanks to Awarding Aussies, around your neck and proudly wearing your BTU Finisher’s T-shirt, proudly printed in Australia.
A Huge Thank You to Our Runners, Crew & Volunteers
BTU has always been built on community—and what a community you are! You showed up, pushed your limits, lifted each other higher, and made this year unforgettable.
A massive thank you to our incredible volunteers, including TRAQ, with special mention to Geoff Russell, who powered through with a broken arm to support the event. To Linda White and Brisbane Trail Runners, our core BTU Crew, and our stellar Ops Room team—John Grieves and Susannah Harvey-Jameson—your dedication behind the scenes kept everything running smoothly.
To our Sweepers—thank you for keeping everyone safe out there!
To Mr Paramedic and the medical team—thank you for patching up injuries and supporting runners along the course.
To our Aid Station crews, Lisa Stevenson, Tyler Stewart, Adam Kingston and their volunteers and Marshals—you kept spirits high and runners fuelled.
A huge shoutout to our sponsors: Salomon Australia/New Zealand, Hammer Nutrition Australia, Red Bull Energy Drink, and Run Vault—your support makes this all possible. And to the families, friends, and support crews—your encouragement means the world to every runner out there.
You are the heartbeat of BTU. THANK YOU!
Congratulations to our BTU Podiums!
BTU20
Mens BTU20
Leo Peterson (NSW) 1:48:22 - Course Record
Ben Duffus (QLD) 1:55:14
Nathan Pearce (VIC) 1:59:48
Womens BTU20
Joanna Hepton 2:11:16 Course Record
Zoe Manning 2:23:08
Simone Brick 2:27:45
BTU10 - Shortened Course due to track closure.
Mens BTU10
Luke Davidson 47:26 (Changed course record)
Nigel Smith 52:48
Alistair Masteron 56:34
Womens BTU10
Linda Hauns 1:08:56 (Changed course record)
Deanna Antoniolli 1:09:36
Alexandria Tobin 1:10:11
Special Shoutout – Golden Trail National Series Final
Golden Trail National Series Final – A Fitting BTU Showdown
What a way to wrap up the Golden Trail National Series (GTNS) Australian Final, powered by Salomon Australia & New Zealand! The energy, the pace, the performances—it was nothing short of world-class. Congratulations to every runner who toed the start line, stood on the podium, and to those who secured their place to represent Australia on the global stage.
We’re thrilled to announce that Leo Peterson will once again be heading to Europe to take on the world’s best in the Golden Trail World Series. Joining him will be Salomon AUS/NZ athlete Simone Brick, who showed pure grit by battling through illness to claim her spot. Simone was joined on the podium by WA standout Annika Keall, delivering a huge performance in a fiercely competitive field. She had a MASSIVE suppoet crew cheering her along the way!
On the men's side, the top four featured some incredible depth:
Leo Peterson (NSW) – your GTNS Australian Champion
Thomas Banks (ACT) – bringing strength and consistency and smiles.
Toby Lang (VIC) – overall rising star, just sneaking in under 23 years and overall under 23 year champ!
Zach Newsham (QLD) – local rising star and crowd favourite
A special mention to Zach Newsham, who not only secured a place on the overall GTNS series podium but celebrated his 21st birthday at BTU! Zach has been part of the BTU family since its very first edition in 2019, and it's been an absolute privilege watching him climb the ranks year after year.
From the front of the pack to the final finishers, BTU has always been about pushing boundaries—and this year’s GTNS Final was no exception.
A BTU Without a Little Controversy? Never!
Let’s be honest—it wouldn’t feel like BTU without a little bit of controversy along the way. We take the integrity of our event extremely seriously, and every podium result is carefully verified using Strava data, Smart Watch GPS files, or by analysing split times compared to nearby runners.
We can confidently say that this year’s podium finishers are 100% deserving—they completed the full course as marked.
Unfortunately, we had to issue 2-Hour time penalties to three athletes in the BTU10 for missing sections of the course. This might explain the mixed emotions on Luke Davidson’s face as he crossed the line—even after smashing his own record on the BTU Red Bull Climb.
Why a 2-hour penalty?
It’s simple: cutting the course, intentional or not, isn’t fair to your fellow competitors. Trail running isn’t just about speed—it’s about completing the entire, marked route. One runner suggested we apply an "average" time for missed sections, but the reality is, no average can account for the terrain difficulty or the fatigue that builds up along those missing kilometres. That’s why a strict time penalty applies. It also encourages runners to complete the entire course.
And here’s the bigger picture: if you’re racing internationally, particularly in Europe, missing part of the course often means immediate disqualification—no second chances. BTU holds its athletes to these global standards to ensure you’re race-ready for the world stage.
Unfortunately, one newer trail runner didn’t agree with our decision, but fairness and course accuracy will always come first.
BTU is tough—but it’s designed to make you tougher, and more prepared for global trail events.
Your Race Photos
📸 Want to relive your epic BTU moments? Your official race photos are ready!
👉 [Click here to view and download your photos]
Results & Leaderboards
Curious about your final time or how you stacked up?
👉 [See Full Race Results Here]
Lost Property
Lost something out there? We've gathered a collection of lost items.
We have a Car Key and an Ear Bud.
👉 [Click here to check lost property]
Share Your Story
We love hearing your BTU experience! Tag us on social @brisbanetrailultra and use #BTU2025 to be featured.
See You in 2026!
The BTU family keeps growing, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year. Stay tuned for early bird entries opening soon.
Until then, keep chasing those trails! 🏃♂️🌿
The BTU Team
[brisbanetrailultra.com] | @brisbanetrailultra