Ben Leeson

Margaret River Ultra nutrition and race report. Powered by @bix_aus and @tarkineathletics Breakfast (1:45 pre-race) Big bowl of Cereal, this time it was Crispix. Electrolyte drink with extra salts ~1000mg sodium Black coffee ☕️ 💩 Leg 1 - 11.5km With a pre dawn start at 6:15am it was head torches on for a quick start off the beach and up the road before heading in to a mix of fire trails and single track. A few spider webs to the face but had a solid run through here trying to calm the nervous excitement and settle in to a big day ahead. 500mL Maurten 320 drink mix Caf + 500mL Water + Bix 40 gel Leg 2 - 14.5km I knew this leg I needed to bank some time through the quick flowy trails of the forest, although a little overgrown in parts. I was feeling really good through having a fun time, managing to put a gap in to second place. I stopped 3 times to pee on this leg and new I needed to dial back the water intake a little. 750mL water + 2 x BIX 40 gels + 2x salt tabs Leg 3 - 20km Leaving the aid station at Conto there was an out and back stretch and a small group were not far behind i knew this was the crux leg with big stretches of beach and soft sandy single tracks. The goal was to race smart, push where i can and take it easy on the soft stuff to not burn out the legs. Running in to a strong northerly wind wasn't much fun but the scenery was 10/10 which made up for it. Getting cheers from friends and the public gave a good lift through here and still felt strong coming in to aid 3. 500mL Maurten 320 drink mix Caf + 750mL water + 2x BIX 40 gels, + 1 x BIX 40 Caf gel + 1x BIX 30 salty gel + 2 salt tabs Leg 4 - 18km At this point I firmly had the win in my sights and was eyeing off the course record. It was a matter of keeping up the momentum and staying on top of my nutrition. With some more beautiful scenery and windy single track i knew I had to push where I could. With it starting to heat up I put on the ice bandana to keep cool. 1.5L water + 1 BIX 40 gel + 1x BIX 40 Caf gel + 1x BIX 30 Salty gel + 2 x salt tabs For those still reading continued in comments.....

Margaret River Ultra 2026 🏆 and course record 6:16:40. What a weekend it was. At most events i am lucky enough to have a support crew, for this one i felt like i had an army following me around all day. With great mates popping up at random locations throughout the course to cheer me on, the @manningparktrailrunners blue crew almost everywhere you look and of course my family who sacrificed their weekend to come to every aid station and hand me gels and water. The course itself (other than the stiff northerly head wind all day) was spectacular. Beach, rolling single track, rock hopping and tracks through the Boranup forest, couldn't ask for much more in my home state. A huge thanks to my sponsors who helped with everything i could need for the run. @tarkineathletics who keep making better and better shoes, the new Bandicoots are fast light and comfortable. @bix_aus who kept me fuelled for the day and in the training before hand. @northfremantlechiropractic @chirotorrie for keeping the body in great condition as always. Full race report and nutrition break down to come later when I learn how to use instagram properly 😅 Now to recover and reload for the next one.

The camera man has to move quick when records are SMASHED like this one was. Huge congratulations to @benleeson21 - top runner, top human. FULL RESULTS IN BIO: #margaretriverultra

Move over Courtney & Ruth, there’s a new rivalry in ultra-running! We’ve just been alerted to a showdown of epic proportions set to play out at the 2026 Margaret River Ultra this coming weekend. In the “red corner”, the one and only, Josh Chugg: Josh is the current 80km course RECORD holder. And the only runner in history to break the 7 hour barrier. Crazy thing is, he’s done it TWICE! Once in 2022 when he ran 6:42.32, and again in 2023 and went even faster at 6hr36.17!! Now, in 2026, he’s got his eyes on the 42km course record. And that brings us to his rival... In the “blue corner”, Ben Leeson: Ben is the back-to-back champion of the 42km event AND the current record holder, after a scorching 3:28:35 in 2025. The big twist? Ben isn’t racing Josh head-to-head in the 42km this year. Rumour has it he’s going after his 80km course record! Two titans of Margs... Two technical courses... Two NEW records for history books?? Only time will tell... And there’s not much of that before race day (only 5 sleeps!). Tune in to the socials this Sat 9th (80km) and Sun 10th (42km) for live updates. @chugg_endurance @benleeson21 #margaretriverultra

Buffalo Stampede 100km 🥉 A few days on now and although the quads have recovered from the effects of the downhills I am still on a high. Going in to the race the goal was to enjoy the day, race some exceptional runners, manage any issues and roughly 11.5hrs or if I had a day I thought that 11hrs may be possible. My first race on the east coast and Bright absolutely turned it on. The course was nothing short of spectacular with stunning views across various terrains from the valleys to the plateau up to the horn and back again. The plan was to go out somewhat conservative, hike the steep uphill and not be absolutely cooked at the 50km turn around point so I can enjoy the downhills on the way back. From about 30km in I knew it was going to be about managing the gut issues with multiple transitions in nutrition plan keeping my amazing crew on their toes. I was fortunate to team up and run with @benjaminlbutler pushing each other along for about 30km until he succumb to his gut issues. At the horn I realised I was sitting in 3rd place which gave me an energy boost and it was time to hold on with some great runners only just behind me. I managed to bank some good time running on the plateau and the mental games started. I think the funniest part was trying to chase Man Kumar up the final climb, both hurting badly, felt like tortoises racing 😅 The last aid station I felt the effects of cramps and low energy from not taking any carbs in for 1.5hrs and I had to take a moment. @runner_man_kumar powered through the aid station leaving me in the dust. It was time to grit and get through the last 9km to the finish. Honoured to finish 3rd in a time of 10:38:57. Thank you so very much to my support crew for the day @zac_leeson @yvonnel3 @katiecrombie.exphys who went above and beyond all day. Constantly working to sort out any issues and make sure I could perform at my best. Thanks coach @captain_clints_coaching finally we managed to put together a great training block in the lead up. @tarkineathletics for believing in me and putting some epic shoes on my feet. @northfremantlechiropractic and @chirotorrie for keeping the body strong and in good condition.

100km MEN’S PODIUM 🏆 2026 Buffalo Stampede Festival presented by @asicsaustralia and the Australian Long Trail @australian_ultra championship! 1st place: George Knight 9:52:01 (CR) 2nd place: Man Kumar @runner_man_kumar 10:36:45 3rd place: Ben Leeson @benleeson21 10:38:57 Well done to these three incredible humans, the fastest top 3 Buffalo 100km has ever seen, but the way these lads shared the stoke and good energy with everyone all weekend was truly special. Thanks for inspiring us with your efforts on and off the trails ❤️ 📷 @phillipsage

@benleeson21 from Western Australia Eurobin Aid Station · 75.8 km Ben ran into Eurobin expecting to see his crew waiting. A quick look around told him they weren’t there. For a moment he paused, taking stock of what he needed next. Then, without fuss, he shifted straight into solution mode. With a little help from the volunteers and @samanthagash , he sorted what he needed, refilled, and headed back out onto the trail. onwards... and upwards.

BEN LEESON @benleeson21 is our 3RD PLACE MALE in the 100km of the Buffalo Stampede Festival presented by @asicsaustralia 🏆 All the way from Western Australia, what an incredible effort in the Victorian Alps with a rapid time of 10:38:57 🙌 way to go Ben! #buffalostampede #findyourepic #runwithnature

The race for 2nd is ON in the 100km because @benleeson21 is in 3RD PLACE moving really well and only minutes behind Man Kumar 👀 crazy close after 84km.

Some days dream really do come true. I have been wanting to swim with one of these for many years now and Sunday was the day. Very thankful for clean water, a relaxed shark and great dive buddies @samcrombie88 @vde.nick . She closely followed us doing circles on the way back to the boat and came in for a few sniffs. Not once did she move quickly or change behaviour.

Already in February and along with looking forward to 2026, I thought I would take the time to look back on my 2025 running journey. Thanks for the reminder @brendanverrier_ What a crazy year 2025 has been and things that I never thought possible when i started my running adventure with Perth Marathon at the end of 2022 are now the normal. It seems to have taken over my life in a fairly big way (sorry Ches that you are constantly carb loading with me now 🍝 😅). With 6 West Aussie races and a trip to Wales there was a lot of racing, some minor injuries and some amazing results. In August I got my first ever sponsorship with @northfremantlechiropractic and @chirotorrie . The team, I had been seeing regularly for 12 months and were able to assist with keeping the body strong and prevent any injuries getting worse. Not just my back but hips, achillies, knees and even my jaw (don't recommend that last one, about as painful as km 80 of a 100km race). Soon after the legends @tarkineathletics noticed that I had been running in their shoes for the last 2 years and offered to help me on my journey with sponsorship too. Super comfortable and fun shoes to run it whilst also doing their bit by giving back to the planet. I'm so excited to see what I am capable of in 2026, heading east to run against some of Australia's best. Thanks @chesrevell for the ongoing support, that helps massively when I am feeling tired. And also for putting up with the huge amount of time that we have missed out on together. Bring on 2026 💪. 📸 @brandoncaldercreative

The devil missed 👹 Now I battle thoracic spines daily for the greater good 👼🏻