Buffalo Stampede Race Plan 2027

Buffalo Stampede takes place in Bright on 19–21 March 2027. Its programme includes the Twilight 10 km, 20 km SkyRun, 42 km SkyMarathon, 100 km solo and relay, and multi-day Slams, with shorter family events also listed (official festival site).

The 100 km route starts and finishes at Pioneer Park in Bright. The course description climbs Mystic and Clearspot, crosses the Buckland Valley, reaches Mount Buffalo via Keatings Ridge and the Big Walk, visits the Horn, then returns towards Bright with a final climb via Dingo Ridge (100 km course).

The organiser gives 4,800 m in headline statistics and approximately 5,000 m in its narrative, while a detailed route section is labelled 2026 despite the 2027 race date. This guide uses an approximate gain rather than claim a falsely precise 2027 figure. The page lists a 6:00 am 20 March 2027 start and a 28-hour total cut-off (100 km information).

What the course means for your plan

The Big Walk is described as roughly 10 km with over 1,000 m climbing; the late Dingo Ridge figures vary between the page's sections (100 km course). Our recommendation is to plan those sections by climbing time and fatigue, not their distance alone.

The 42 km SkyMarathon is a point-to-point route from Mount Buffalo to Bright, not a shortened version of a flat road marathon (festival programme). Rehearse descending with your loaded vest and keep food accessible without compromising footing.

The 100 km narrative identifies Clearspot, Buckland Valley, Eurobin Creek, Mount Buffalo Chalet and Cresta Valley as aid locations, with several visited more than once. It mentions cheese toasties or noodles at Cresta Valley but does not provide a complete verified 2027 menu or nutrition quantities (100 km page).

Our recommendation is to carry a familiar core plan and treat hot food as an optional supplement. Don't assume a named food will be available at every visit or that the amount you receive can be counted precisely in your hourly intake.

Bags, pacers and access

The current 100 km page lists drop bags at Eurobin and Cresta Valley on outbound and inbound visits. It also permits a pacer from the second Mount Buffalo Chalet passing, described as 65 km, with only one pacer on course at a time (100 km logistics).

Because parts of the course text are labelled 2026, confirm those arrangements, mandatory gear and crew access in the final 2027 guide. A pacer allowance is not permission for unrestricted outside assistance (100 km logistics).

For a crew sheet, specify the visit as well as the checkpoint name: outbound Eurobin and inbound Eurobin are different resupply moments. Label bags accordingly, and keep the final climb's fuel easy to find.

Buffalo-specific rehearsal

Our recommendation is to practise fuelling on a sustained steep hike and to avoid saving all your food for the plateau. Prepare the next small portion before a climb, then use safe easier sections to eat. For a Slam, plan recovery meals, sleep, equipment drying and the next morning's breakfast separately from on-course supplies.

Set an intake you can sustain

The Australian Institute of Sport gives 30–60 g carbohydrate/hour for endurance exercise lasting 1–2.5 hours and up to 90 g/hour for events longer than 2.5–3 hours. These are duration-based guidelines, not a requirement for every trail runner.

The 2019 ultra-specific ISSN position stand takes a more conservative approach to very long races, recommending 30–50 g/hour within a broader energy plan and emphasising individual tolerance. Treat the two sources as context, not competing prescriptions: race intensity, time on feet and your rehearsed gut tolerance matter. Higher targets need progressive practice; don't jump to 90 g/hour on race day.

Count everything, not just gels

Add the carbohydrate in gels, drink mix, chews and food. As an illustrative calculation, a practised 60 g/hour plan for a two-hour leg needs 120 g carbohydrate. If a gel's label says 30 g, four gels supply that amount before counting anything in your bottles or food. This is arithmetic, not a product prescription or a universal target.

Split supplies into checkpoint-to-checkpoint portions. Add a modest contingency for slower travel, but separate emergency food from the food you expect to eat. Do not count an uncertain aid-station menu as guaranteed fuel.

Match fluid to conditions

The ISSN position stand suggests 450–750 mL/hour during ultra racing, adjusted for the environment, work rate, body size and tolerance. It is a starting reference, not a volume to force down. Rehearse in similar conditions and combine thirst, your experience and the available refill points when planning.

Carry capacity for the longest expected time between refills, not merely the longest distance. Avoid over-drinking: sodium does not make excessive fluid intake safe, and it does not eliminate exercise-associated hyponatraemia risk (ISSN).

Sodium, caffeine and variety

Individualise sodium using the conditions, your sweat losses and the sodium already supplied by drinks and foods. The ISSN review discusses 500–700 mg sodium per litre of fluid, but that is a drink concentration, not an automatic hourly dose.

Caffeine is optional. The ISSN review advises rehearsing your strategy, counting all doses and avoiding repeated large doses over a long ultra. A caffeinated gel plus coffee plus cola all contribute to the same total; caffeine is not a replacement for safe rest or withdrawal when needed.

Use familiar sweet and savoury options to build a plan you can repeat. Our guides to testing nutrition before a race and avoiding flavour fatigue are useful preparation.