Welcome to the first episode in our brand-new 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast.
This series is a little different from our usual runner interviews. I was over at Melbourne Frontyard Ultra as one of the race directors, and while I was there, I followed a handful of athletes through their event – quick check-ins before the race, during the yards, in the tired middle-of-the-night moments, and then again after their race was done.
And first up, we’re following the amazing Margie Hadley.
Margie came into Melbourne Frontyard Ultra with a huge amount of experience in the backyard ultra format. She’s part of the incredible Perth ultra-running community, had a personal best already sitting deep in the 40-hour range, and arrived with big goals, a brilliant crew, and a very calm, steady energy.
But as you’ll hear in this episode, even the most experienced runners still have to face the same question every hour:
Can I get back to the start line one more time?
This episode captures Margie’s journey from the early relaxed yards, through rain, niggles, crew chaos, toe-taping, attempts at tiny naps, second-night fatigue, and the constant sound of Daft Punk’s “One More Time” reminding everyone that yes – another yard was coming.
Margie went on to hit a new PB of 48 yards, become the last woman standing, and still had the courage to start yard 49 – even when she knew she had given almost everything to get back from yard 48.
There are funny moments, tired moments, practical crew realities – including some very honest portaloo chat – and one of my favourite moments of the whole episode: Margie lying on the grass doing “grass angels” during yard 49 before deciding whether she could keep moving.
In our wrap-up chat, Margie reflects on what worked, what didn’t, the power of crew, why sleep became such a challenge, how her nutrition was a huge win, and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply start – even when you’re not sure what will happen next.
Why You’ll Love This Episode
- You’ll get a real inside look at what a Frontyard Ultra actually feels like
- You’ll hear the difference between results on paper and the real story behind them
- Margie shares what it’s like to chase big goals in the backyard ultra format
- We talk crew, sleep, nutrition, mental toughness, and tiny decisions
- There are raw check-ins from during the event, not just polished reflections afterward
- You’ll hear why this format is brutal, fascinating, funny, and strangely beautiful
- And yes… you’ll never hear “One More Time” the same way again
A Few Favourite Themes
One yard at a time
The format is simple: 6.7km every hour until only one person is left. But simple does not mean easy.
Crew matters
Margie’s crew played a massive role – from food and foot care to tough love and getting her back out there when she didn’t want to go.
Sleep changes everything
Margie’s nutrition went brilliantly, but sleep became the one-percenter she now wants to work on.
You don’t always know what’s possible
Margie talked beautifully about how quickly things can shift in endurance events – one moment you’re done, the next moment something changes.
Just start
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the power of starting the next yard, even if you’re not sure you’ll finish it.
Listen In For
- Margie’s running background and how she grew into running as an adult
- Why she keeps coming back to backyard ultras
- Her previous PB of 47 hours and her goal to push beyond 50
- Early race check-ins and the very wobbly bridge
- Joel’s crew update after very little sleep
- Rain, slippery course conditions, and a few leg niggles
- Crew realities, including the great portaloo discussion
- Toe-taping with 11 minutes to go
- A tiny nap attempt in the middle of the night
- The 1am music chat
- Margie’s 48-yard PB
- Yard 49, grass angels, and the moment she knew she was done
- Her reflections on nutrition, sleep, crew, and what comes next
Interested in the 2027 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra? Want to see how many 6.7km yard you can tick off?
Entries are open now for the 2027 event to be held on Saturday 1 May 2027 – and if 2026 is anything to go by, it’s going to be bigger, better, and likely to sell out.
Enter here: https://www.melbournefyu.com.au/
⸻
💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?
If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset – a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.
👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset
⸻
🙏 A couple of big favours
1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast – it helps more runners discover these conversations.
2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.
Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club
⸻
🎧 Don’t miss an episode
Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.
Some of these photos are from the ridiculously talented Libby Oakley 🙂
