Julia's Relentless Mad Trapper 30km Trail Race Report

Julia Vlaming Race Report:

Relentless Mad Trapper 30km 2026

If you know me, you know I don’t identify as a runner. I've been trying to get my running fitness back after having a baby and naturally that meant signing up for a 30km trail race. It started with 18km of rolling hills on gravel and then 12km of technical forest trail. I was feeling great at the 18km mark, oozing with confidence, hydrating well, able to stomach the nutrition, following my plan beautifully, and even passed another runner, which never happens! Then it was a straight uphill into the forest where I figured out pretty quickly that I'm not a technical runner,  opted for a power walk, kept waiting for a flatter and/or widder section to run, but it never came. At 22km I was nauseous, quads and feet were on fire, AND my podcast kept turning off, even though I downloaded it! My power hike got slower and I was seriously questioning my life choices! I somehow managed to pass 2 people that were doing the 50km, and got passed by quite a few other 50km runners. One lady looked like she was skipping through the forest! I was thoroughly impressed. I was too dehydrated to cry, so hugged a few trees, and somehow made it to the finish line. A few days later I was surprised to learn that I wasn't last in my distance, with 3 runners finishing after me. Overall, I unexpectedly enjoyed the gravel road running, and the distance doesn’t seem as scary anymore, as long as I avoid any forest trails! Thank you to Brad, the kids, and my lovely friend Julie for cheering me on! And shout out to all who have endured my complaints of sore muscles, they're all better now!