In this final check-in, Stuart Rainbow is all-in for Delirious West—even if it means being stalked by a fox mid-run, gluing his shoes to keep the sand out, and completely reworking his race strategy after a last-minute course change.
He shares the highs of a smooth 75K night training run (with donut aid stations, naturally) and the lows of a brief knee scare that had him resting just weeks before the race. Stuart talks logistics, from jetboils and battery backups to his meticulously reinforced shoes, stitched and Velcroed to fight back against the WA sand.
With a brilliant sense of humour and total commitment, Stuart also reflects on the mental reset the new course demands, why it might be tougher—but better—to tackle the infamous Mount Clare section up front, and how the Delirious community is everything.
Key Highlights:
•12-hour night run feat. fox encounters and servo donuts
•Managing a knee injury close to race day with help from a runner-friendly physio
•Gear upgrades: Velcro-sealed shoes and enough socks to start a store
•Navigating the course reversal and reassessing sleep and pacing strategy
•A heartfelt nod to the volunteers, medics, and other crews who make this race special
•Reflecting on what Delirious means after years of build-up—“Why not make it tougher?”
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