21–22 March 2026 · Washpool World Heritage Trails, NSW · By Annie
Hey everyone! I wanted to shine a spotlight on the amazing runners I coach and their performances at Washpool World Heritage Trails 2026. It’s an event Keelan and I have helped organise and direct for the past six years, so seeing everyone out there enjoying the trails means a lot. I’m so proud of the training, commitment and effort everyone brought to the weekend. ☺️
There were personal bests, first trail races, big comebacks and some really smart racing. Every runner had their own goal and their own story. Here are the moments I wanted to celebrate.
25 km — finding strength on the trails
Kimberley Biddle — 2:53. Kimberley delivered her most consistent training block yet, staying injury-free while building strong volume with uphill treadmill work and varied intensities. She took a huge step forward from her 2023 time of 3:29 to an impressive 2:53. A superb result!
Janie Mahoney — 3:17. Janie set out to enjoy the day, soak up the atmosphere and appreciate the beautiful surroundings. Away from a busy life, the race became a physical and mental reset. She surprised herself with a six-minute improvement on her 2024 time and finished strongly, including a confident downhill push along Piddocks Trail.
Pim Heaney — 3:20. Pim came into Washpool after extensive hiking and biking adventures in New Zealand, with a substantial endurance base from triathlon. She was thrilled to tick this bucket-list event off and finished comfortably inside her 3:30 target. The course was challenging, but she showed wonderful grit and determination.
Kate Marsden — 2:52. Kate secured a late spot from the waitlist and put her heart rate-based training into practice, using her “hippie, scientist, beast” framework throughout the race. When her heart rate and breathing rose early, she had the discipline to back off and run her own race. Feeling strong at the 13 km aid station, she gradually lifted the effort and regained positions. A decisive surge up the granite climb on Fern Tree Loop brought her back to her friends in the closing stages. Such a well-managed finish!
Alice Granleese — 3:45. Alice made her trail-racing debut after preparing with sessions on Grafton Junction hill and social long runs. Running alongside her friend Maggie, she embraced the experience and completed her longest run yet. A significant milestone, showing growing strength and setting a great example for her family.
Keelan Birch — under two hours. Keelan finally got the chance to run the 25 km himself, thanks to the support of volunteers and organisers. He’d mainly been training for a flat road marathon, but ran strongly and tackled the granite climb on Fern Tree Loop with determination. A meaningful day for him after so many years helping deliver the event.
My own 25 km — a valuable race-day return. I treated Washpool as a B race on the way to the Canberra Marathon. Peroneal and Achilles tendon issues had interrupted my preparation, so getting back to racing was valuable in itself. That first event after a long, hot summer always takes some adjusting to. I was a little slower than in previous years, but happy to finish without aggravating anything and to take some confidence into the next training block.
50 km — patience, resilience and big milestones
Andrew — 5:00:35. Andrew came back for redemption after a DNF last year, aiming to break five hours after a strong block of long runs and hilly tempo sessions. He felt the pace early and managed the rising afternoon heat well, using T8 ice bandanas to stay cool through the exposed back half. Just 35 seconds over the target — we’re calling that a well-earned five-hour finish! Outstanding execution and resilience.
Brendon — 5:04:42. This was Brendon’s Washpool debut and his first time on these trails. He’d put together consistent training while balancing shift work as a paramedic. By sticking closely to his “no faster than” pace targets through CP1 and CP2, he set himself up beautifully for the second half. He exceeded expectations and finished just behind Andrew, his regular training partner. Such disciplined racing.
Jo Bruce — 8:00:53. Jo returned with a simple goal: enjoy the day, take in the surroundings and have fun on the trails. She looked composed and strong through CP1 and carried that approach all the way to the finish. She landed almost exactly on her time target — even with a completely flat watch! — and improved on her 2024 result by around 30 minutes. A wonderful reflection of her consistency and determination.
Kate Bevitt — 6:48:23. Kate completed her debut 50 km with a Rumble 100 km qualifier in mind. Her preparation focused on long, hilly hikes and a gradual increase in running volume to stay injury-free. She ran a patient first half, hiking strategically and keeping spirits high alongside Alex. After moving ahead at CP2, she worked through the field with intent and finished in an excellent 6:48:23. What a debut!
More than a finish time
What I love about coaching is that everyone brings something different to the start line. For some, it’s a time goal; for others, it’s a first race, a return from a setback or simply a day enjoying the forest. Seeing the training come together in all those different ways is incredibly rewarding.
A huge thank you to the volunteers and everyone who helped make the weekend possible. And to every runner I coached: I’m so proud of you. Congratulations on everything you achieved out there!
Annie