Discovering the STHM
Over the weekend, I joined over 600 trail runners at Lake Parramatta for the Sydney Trail Half Marathon (STHM), a two-day trail running event organised by 180 Cadence.
I first came across the event a few months ago through a Facebook ad. Compared to major road races in Sydney, this looked smaller, more intimate, and refreshingly local. The promise of running through scenic waterfront trails, technical single tracks, and fire trails caught my attention. I signed up, eager to experience Sydney’s trail scene for the first time.
Pre-Race Vibes and Community Support
After weeks of preparation to get “trail half marathon ready,” I put on my hydration vest—something I had never worn in a race before—and arrived for the Sunday race on 6 July. Leading up to the event, the organisers sent out detailed updates via email about parking and course changes, although a few of them landed in my junk folder. Luckily, I found them just in time and joined the event WhatsApp group, which turned out to be a warm and supportive community. Runners from Saturday’s race shared positive feedback and spoke highly of the organisers.
Race Day at Lake Parramatta
I arrived at Lake Parramatta around 6:45 AM for the 7:15 AM start. Despite having over 300 runners on Sunday, everything felt smooth and relaxed. I found parking easily and dropped off my bag. Bib collection appeared to be hassle-free, though there was a short queue at the toilets — as expected at any race event. I decided to position myself close to the start line—an unusual opportunity compared to city races where runners are usually grouped by estimated finish time.
Thrown into the Deep End: Wave 1
Soon, I regretted starting in the starting wave.
I had assumed trail runners would take it easy. I was wrong. The first few kilometres moved at a blistering pace (around 5:40/km), and even though I tried to ease into a warm-up rhythm, the runners around me flew through the bush with the grace of low-flying birds. The single tracks, uneven terrain, tree roots, and sudden inclines made me feel like I was dancing more than running.
Eventually, I found the space to slow down and run at my own pace. I wanted to avoid injury and finish the race strong. I was amazed by how some runners navigated wet, slippery rocks and tricky surfaces with confidence. Before long, I saw others resting on the sidelines or recovering from falls. I twisted my ankle multiple times and eventually had to pause to recover. As the forest woke up, I found myself disoriented—not just by the physical exhaustion but by the constant mental effort required to stay alert on unfamiliar terrain.
The Challenges of Trail Running
More than once, I nearly turned off course because I was so focused on my footing, but the course was clearly marked throughout, with plenty of signs, including warnings for wrong turns. The organisers had done a great job.
Due to my inexperience—and perhaps the not-yet-broken-in trail shoes—I noticed blood on my shoes from blisters on my toes. With the finish line finally in sight, my calf cramped so badly I had to stop on the side of the path to recover, something that had never happened in my previous road races.
Still, I finished. Bloody toes, cramped muscles, and all. My official time: 2:16. I placed just inside the top 100 that day.
A Wild First Trail Race
180 Cadence delivered a fantastic event, coordinating volunteers and building a warm community around it. The whole atmosphere was different from any road race I’ve done. The event was well-organised, and runner results were updated live on the website, allowing supporters to track their runners in real time.
I truly appreciate the effort and passion that went into organising this race. It gave trail running newbies like myself the chance to experience the beauty of Lake Parramatta Reserve—and a taste of what trail running really is. It’s a different sport altogether. And trail runners? A different breed.
Photo credits: Captured beautifully by Vendalize Media and Ted Yu.
