BTR Bali Trail Run 30K

Before the Race

I registered for the BTR 15km distance. Somewhere between registration and race week, I upgraded to 30km. No target time. The goal was to finish a mountain trail race and learn what trail running actually demands.

My road running base was solid — 1,757 km in 2025 — but trail running uses different muscles, different pacing, and a completely different mental model. You cannot hold road pace on volcanic rock and single-track switchbacks.

Race Day

Mt. Batur at dawn. The first 5 km climbed steadily through loose volcanic gravel. I went out too fast (road habit) and paid for it on the first real ascent around km 8. Heart rate spiked, quads burned, and I watched trail-experienced runners power-hike past me on the steep sections while I tried to run everything.

By km 15 I had adjusted. Walk the steep climbs, run the flats and descents, eat before hunger hits. The scenery helped — lake views, grassland ridges, volcanic terrain that made the suffering feel earned.

The final 10 km was a test of fueling and foot placement. My ankles were tired from the uneven ground, and every downhill section required focus I did not have at km 25 on a road race. I finished in 5:50:49 with 1,292 meters of elevation gain.

What I Took Away

Trail running rewards patience more than fitness. The strongest runners on the course were not the fastest — they were the ones who managed their effort across terrain changes instead of fighting the mountain. Road running teaches you to hold pace. Trail running teaches you to let pace go and manage effort instead.

I will do this again. Longer next time.