Cooma’s Mick Sullivan has enhanced his standing as one of the nation’s best ultra trail runners after finishing first in his age group at the word’s second largest running festival.

Sullivan tackled the gruelling Chiang Mai Ultra Trail World Series event in November, completing the 168km race in 40.5 hours and in top spot in the 65-70 category.

The Thailand event attracted 9500 runners and is one of the four world majors. Sullivan had I secured entry into the world finals in Fernace later this year, but decided to compete for experience and to experiment with his race nutrition.

Sullivan said he was well supported by his wife, Jenny, and was proud of his efforts in what proved to be a physically and mentally exhausting race.

“At 3.30am I arrived at Chiang Mai PAO park, 168 km after starting. Very few people were around in those early hours, but those hardy souls that were there, clapped and cheered me in,” Sullivan said.

“I had won my age class, in a run time of 40.5 hours, involving two nights of running through the toughest event I have done to date, with 9650 mt of vertical gain, that’s more climbing than ascending Mt Everest.”

Sullivan battled hip pain, diarrhoea and blisters throughout the 168km race which saw runners endure some of the steepest climbs in any of the ultra trail events.

“I paced conservatively, there was no hurry with wide pathways for most of the first 11km, before we started the serious climbing. My left hip was partially locked up and that made running uncomfortable for the first 15 km,” Sullivan said.

He made up ground on his competitors with a fast transition at the first aid stations.

“I minimised the down time, only filling one drink flask. I went past a lot of runners by doing this as they got delayed in the scrum around the food tables,” Sullivan said.

“I learnt this tactic of carrying your needs for the first two aid stations, from past events, and it works well.”

Sullivan negotiated water, boulders, ropes and dozens of rickety wooden bridges, a challenge made harder running in the dark.

52 kilometres into the event, Sullivan arrived at his first drop bag. He received updates from Jenny on how close his rivals were.

“I had been having chats with Jenny on the phone, who would prepare split updates so I could see where the Chinese runner (closest runner in Mick’s age group) was. This would give me some indication if he was gaining,” he said.

“I don’t like to receive that information about competition, until I am well into the event, usually about two thirds the way.”

At the 101km mark, an important stop saw Sullivan access his second drop bag, filled with drinks and food.

“Where the next drop bags was waiting. I took quite a bit of time here to sort gear, hydrate and had a much needed 20 minute nap,” he said.

Mick has his sights set on winning his age group at the world series final in June.