In this Delirious 2026 wrap-up episode, I catch up with Gabe Alves after his huge 200-mile finish – and what a journey this has been.
After two previous attempts at Delirious, Gabe came back for round three with one mission: get to that finish line. And in true Gabe style, he didn’t just train for it – he absolutely scienced the heck out of it.
We talk about the chaos before the race even started, including a campervan “upgrade” held together with duct tape, gaffer tape and hope. We also dive into Gabe’s race from the early kilometres, where a sock-related leg swelling issue threatened to derail everything far too early, through to the drowsy overnight sections, dirt naps, magical beach moments, snake sightings, the infamous sleepy shake/wakey shake mix-up, and that final emotional run into Albany.
A huge part of Gabe’s story this year was his keto experiment. He tracked glucose and ketones throughout the race, stayed incredibly steady energy-wise, avoided the big highs and lows, and finished feeling physically better than he ever has after a massive event.
This isn’t presented as “everyone should do keto” – even Gabe is very clear about that – but it’s a fascinating example of someone being curious, disciplined, and willing to find what works for their own body.
We also get to hear from Belinda, Gabe’s amazing crew, about what it was like supporting him across the event, managing the logistics, and being part of a journey that so many people had become invested in.
This episode is about persistence, problem-solving, community, stubbornness, science, humour, and the beautiful madness of going back until you finally get the job done.
Gabe crossed the line in 99 hours and 57 minutes – with almost no wiggle room – after years of learning, adjusting and coming back again.
Why You’ll Love This Episode
- Gabe finally gets his Delirious 200-mile finish after two previous attempts.
- The campervan story is ridiculous – duct tape, broken fridge, dodgy doors and all.
- Gabe shares how he managed an early leg swelling issue by cutting into his very expensive socks mid-race.
- We talk dirt naps, sleep deprivation, drowsy walking, and why 10 minutes on the ground can sometimes save the day.
- Gabe explains his keto race strategy and what he learned from tracking glucose and ketones.
- Belinda shares the crew perspective – including snakes, sleep deprivation and trying to calculate arrival times while exhausted.
- There are plenty of classic Delirious moments: beaches, aid stations, Monkey Rocks, jet ski chaos, sunsets, snakes and finish-line emotions.
- It’s a great reminder that sometimes the “limit” isn’t the real limit – you just need to find another way.
Tips from Gabe’s Journey
Keep experimenting until you find what works for you.
Gabe’s strategy wasn’t random. It came from years of learning, testing, failing, adjusting and trying again.
Don’t ignore small problems early.
The sock pressure issue could have ended his race if he’d tried to push through it. Instead, he stopped, problem-solved, cut the socks and kept going.
Plans matter – but flexibility matters more.
Showers, sleep, food, aid station timing, crew logistics – so much changes during a 200-miler. The plan gives you structure, but adaptability gets you through.
Short naps can make a big difference.
Gabe didn’t always feel better after a dirt nap, but his pace improved. Sometimes the body just needs a tiny reset.
The work shows up.
Gabe doubled his training distance and vert compared with previous years, and he could feel that strength late in the race – especially over Monkey Rocks.
Find your own formula.
Keto worked beautifully for Gabe, but the bigger lesson is not “do keto.” It’s “pay attention, be curious, and figure out what works for your body.”
Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/
Interested in the 2027 DW?
Go join the event Facebook Group so you don’t miss when the race opens for entries in June for new runners – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387
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