The races — UTA100, UTA50, UTA22
UTA is a four-day event. Depending on which distance you're running, your race day and start location are different — which matters for how you plan the weekend.
Start: Scenic World, Katoomba
Finish: Scenic World, Katoomba
Elevation, technical trails, epic.
Start: Scenic World, Katoomba
Finish: Scenic World, Katoomba
Still serious. Still stunning.
Start: Queen Victoria Hospital, Wentworth Falls
Finish: Scenic World, Katoomba
Different day, different start — plan accordingly.
If you're running the UTA22, your race is Friday 15 May — a day before the UTA100 and UTA50. Your race-eve night (Thursday) is therefore as critical as Saturday is for UTA100/50 runners. Plan accommodation accordingly, and note your start is in Wentworth Falls, not Katoomba.
Start and finish locations
UTA100 and UTA50 start and finish at Scenic World, Violet Street, Katoomba. This is also the main event hub — expo, briefings, bag drop, timing mats, and finish-line celebrations all happen here. If you're in Katoomba, you can walk to Scenic World.
UTA22 starts at Queen Victoria Hospital, Wentworth Falls (about 10 km east of Katoomba) and finishes at Scenic World. If you're running the 22, you need to get yourself to Wentworth Falls for the start — whether by shuttle, car, or local arrangement. The finish is still Scenic World, where your support crew will be waiting.
Accommodation zone breakdown
Katoomba is the obvious choice for convenience, and the first place to sell out. The town centre is walkable to Scenic World, puts you in the middle of the race atmosphere from Thursday through Sunday, and gives you easy access to the cafes and restaurants you'll want for carb-loading and post-race meals. The Blue Mountains winter in May means cold mornings — Katoomba accommodation is generally well set up for this, with many guesthouses and hotels offering fireplaces and hearty breakfasts. Book as early as you can.
Leura is the runner's favourite for a reason. It's close enough to be completely practical — a 5-minute drive to Scenic World — but far enough to have its own distinct atmosphere: a beautiful village main street, exceptional cafes and restaurants, boutique B&Bs with real character, and a slightly quieter environment than Katoomba town centre. Many experienced UTA runners make Leura their default precisely because you get the best of both worlds. If you can't get Katoomba, prioritise Leura. If you can get Leura, you might prefer it anyway.
Blackheath is where runners end up when Katoomba and Leura are gone — but it's far from a consolation prize. It's a genuinely lovely Blue Mountains town: peaceful, charming, with excellent local pubs and guesthouses that have more availability and lower prices during UTA weekend than the closer zones. The drive to Scenic World is 10–15 minutes, which is entirely manageable. Good option if you have a car, want peace and quiet, and want to keep accommodation costs down. Less suitable for runners wanting to fully absorb the race atmosphere.
Quick comparison table
| Zone | Distance to Scenic World | Race Morning Transport | Availability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katoomba Most convenient | Walkable (5–15 min) | Walk | Books out first | Runners who want full immersion |
| Leura Fan favourite | 5 min drive | Car / shuttle | Books out quickly | Character accommodation + convenience |
| Blackheath | 10–15 min drive north | Car | Most available | Budget, peace, runners with cars |
Race weekend schedule and timing
UTA is a four-day event. The event hub at Scenic World is active from Thursday through Sunday, with the expo, race briefings, and course access all happening across the weekend. Plan to arrive no later than Thursday evening for UTA100/50 runners.
- Thursday 14 May: Event opens. Expo at Scenic World. Course familiarisation. A good day to check in, eat well, and rest.
- Friday 15 May: UTA22 race day. Start at Queen Victoria Hospital, Wentworth Falls. Finish at Scenic World. UTA100/50 runners: expo, briefings, and rest day.
- Saturday 16 May: UTA100 and UTA50 race day. Start and finish at Scenic World, Katoomba. Main event day. Expect an early start for the UTA100.
- Sunday 17 May: Event closes. Awards. Recovery. The Blue Mountains do exceptional brunch — plan accordingly.
May in the Blue Mountains means cold nights (often near or below 5°C), cool days, and potential for fog and mist on the trails. Choose accommodation with heating. If you're staying in a self-contained cottage or guesthouse, check it has a proper heater or fireplace — waking up cold before a 100km race is not the ideal preparation.
Entry transfers — deadlines and fees
If injury or life prevents you from running, UTA allows official person-to-person transfers through the UTMB portal.
- Transfer deadline: 9:00am AEDT on 13 May 2026 (Wednesday — the day before the event opens)
- Transfer fee: $55 AUD (incl. GST and processing)
- No unofficial bib sales — all transfers must go through the official UTMB portal
- The transfer deadline is earlier than many runners expect — don't leave it to the last minute
BibBuddy connects UTA runners who can't start with verified runners who want in. UTA entries are hard to get — someone out there needs yours. Post your listing free, find a buyer, and complete the official transfer through UTMB together. Safe, simple, no Facebook drama.
Booking strategy for trail runners
The UTA accommodation situation is genuinely competitive. The Blue Mountains aren't Sydney — there are a finite number of rooms across Katoomba, Leura, and Blackheath, and thousands of runners, crew, supporters, and spectators all competing for them. The window between entries opening and accommodation selling out is shorter than most first-timers expect.
UTA is a four-day event. Booking Thursday arrival through Sunday checkout lets you settle in properly, attend the expo, crew for friends on different distances, and recover without rushing. Accommodation for a partial block (e.g., Friday night only) often has worse availability anyway because hosts prefer multi-night bookings.
Work through the zones in order of preference. If Katoomba is gone, Leura is often the better second choice over Blackheath — closer, more convenient, and the B&B quality in Leura is exceptional. Don't jump straight to booking in Wentworth Falls or further afield unless you have a specific reason.
UTA has a strong community culture. A holiday house in Katoomba or Leura shared between four to six runners is often cheaper per head than individual hotel rooms, and comes with the bonus of a proper kitchen (critical for pre-race meals), space for kit, and the kind of race-morning energy that only comes from being surrounded by people who are also awake at 4am and know exactly why.
Local runners in Katoomba and the Blue Mountains who know the trails, the weather, the course, and the cafes are the best possible hosts for UTA weekend. BibBuddy's Race Stays connects you with exactly this kind of person — someone who won't bat an eye at compression gear on the clothes horse or a 5am pre-race breakfast request.
Find UTA accommodation through BibBuddy
BibBuddy's Race Stays feature lists runner-hosted accommodation near UTA in the Blue Mountains. Whether that's a spare room in Katoomba, a shared house in Leura, or a quiet bolthole in Blackheath, BibBuddy hosts understand what UTA runners need — and they've usually done the race themselves.
Find your UTA accommodation
Browse runner-hosted stays near Scenic World in Katoomba, Leura, and the Blue Mountains — verified hosts, trail-runner friendly, no hotel markups.
Browse Race StaysFrequently asked questions
Where does UTA start and finish?
UTA100 and UTA50 start and finish at Scenic World, Violet Street, Katoomba. UTA22 starts at Queen Victoria Hospital, Wentworth Falls and finishes at Scenic World.
When is UTA 2026?
The event runs Thursday 14 May – Sunday 17 May 2026. UTA22 is on Friday 15 May. UTA100 and UTA50 are on Saturday 16 May.
How far is Katoomba from Sydney?
Around 100 km west of Sydney CBD — approximately 1.5 to 2 hours by car, or about 2 hours by train from Central Station. Most runners travel up on Thursday to allow a full day of expo and acclimatisation before race day.
What is the UTA entry transfer deadline?
The official transfer deadline is 9:00am AEDT on 13 May 2026. The transfer fee is $55 AUD (incl. GST). All transfers must go through the official UTMB portal — no unofficial transfers.
What's the weather like in the Blue Mountains in May?
Cold. May is autumn/early winter in the Blue Mountains, with temperatures that can drop to near or below 5°C at night and on the trails. Expect mist, potential frost, and the possibility of rain. Pack accordingly and ensure your accommodation has proper heating.
Can I share accommodation with other runners I don't know?
Yes — and UTA's community culture makes this very common. Runner share houses in Katoomba and Leura are popular because they cut costs, create pre-race atmosphere, and put you around people who understand the weekend. BibBuddy connects runners looking for share accommodation with verified local hosts and other runners heading to the same event.