Beyond the Bitumen: Mastering the Art of Trail Running with Stephen Jackson

From the rugged hinterland to coastal tracks, trail running offers an escape that road running simply can’t match. We sat down with Stephen Jackson, a lifelong runner and the event organiser behind some of the Gold Coast’s most iconic trail races, to discuss the mental benefits of going off-road, the gear you actually need, and the booming local race calendar.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you transitioned from road running to organizing trail events?

Stephen Jackson: I’m a lifetime runner. I started back in Little Athletics and school cross country. I remember a teacher picking me up at "stupid o'clock" on Saturday mornings to run with a local group called the Terrigal Trotters. That gave me a sense of freedom and identity growing up. I did my first marathon at 13 - which I don’t think you’re allowed to do anymore!

I got back into heavy running in my late 20s, and while I did plenty of road and track, I always preferred the cross-country style, being out in the bush. My foray into organizing started when I lived on Hamilton Island. I launched the Hamilton Island Hilly Half with 13 runners and 27 volunteers. 

Now, that event has grown to hundreds of runners. Since moving to the Gold Coast in 2017, I’ve built a portfolio of eight or nine events, focusing heavily on the unique experience that trail running offers.

Q: For someone used to pounding the pavement, how does trail running differ physically and mentally?

Stephen: The biggest appeal of trail is that it is experience-driven rather than time-driven. On the road, you are locked into a pace—5-minute Ks or 3:30 Ks. On the trail, you have to manage your effort appropriate to the course in front of you. You might run two events of the same distance a week apart and finish with times that differ by 45 minutes because of the "vert" (elevation), the technicality of the surface, or the weather.

It also changes your mindset. You can’t look hundreds of meters ahead; you have to concentrate on the three to five meters immediately in front of you to stay upright. We have a saying: “There are only two types of trail runners: those that have fallen, and those that will.”

This forces you to be present. You aren't thinking about bills, work, or family. You are in the moment, negotiating a root, a rock, or a creek. That absence of "noise"—both audible traffic noise and mental noise—is incredibly beneficial.

Q: You often talk about the "moments" in trail running. What does that mean to you?

Stephen: Trail running is about moments and memories, people and places. You might run a trail you know well, but suddenly the light hits differently, or it's greened up after rain, and it just resonates with you. You realize, "How good is this?"

It brings you back to gratitude. If you are out running, you are already at a huge advantage in life. When you combine that with the beauty of the bush - no diesel smells, no cars, maybe seeing a kangaroo rustle in the grass; it allows you to just enjoy being.

Q: You have built a significant calendar of events for the Gold Coast. What does the "Triple Crown" series look like?

Stephen: We have built a series that caters to everyone from beginners to hardcore athletes, which we’ve dubbed the ‘Triple Crown’ consisting of three separate events:

• Numbinbah Valley (May/June): This is the first race of the Triple Crown. It’s nestled just behind the Coast and offers distances from a 4km junior run up to a 25km course through beautiful valley sections.

• The Border Bolt (Early August): Based out of Currumbin, we run under the M1 and pop up onto the Border Trail separating Queensland and New South Wales. It’s an "out and back" course on rolling hinterland trails, which creates amazing camaraderie because the leaders run past the mid-packers and everyone cheers each other on.

• Coastal High (Late Aug/Sept): This is the headline act. It starts at Binna Burra and finishes at Springbrook, taking you through ancient Gondwana rainforests and past Purling Brook Falls. It includes the "Apple Tree Park Stairs"—over 900 stairs within one kilometer. It’s spectacular.

We also have the Halloween Hustle in October, which is a fun, dark run with a "scare squad" in the forest, and I’m currently running a Tri-Trails program with the City of Gold Coast to help beginners get a taste of the sport.

Q: What specific gear do you recommend for someone looking to get serious about the trails?

Stephen: The most obvious one is shoes. Trail-specific shoes generally have a wider toe box, which helps your toes splay for better feel, and a heavier lug on the bottom for grip on uneven surfaces.

Clothing is similar to road running, but I recommend a running vest. You don't have access to taps in the bush. A vest allows you to carry a soft flask for hydration, your nutrition, and a mini first aid kit—a snake bandage or compression bandage is essential. If you roll an ankle or get a scratch, you need to be self-sufficient.

Q: How should athletes adjust their training and nutrition for off-road running?

Stephen: Training needs to account for the uneven surfaces. You are using stabilizer muscles, tendons, and ligaments that don't get worked on the road. I recommend proprioception exercises—like standing on one leg and doing calf raises - to improve ankle stability. You also need quad strength for the steep descents and glute activation to generate power.

Regarding nutrition, because the duration of a run can be unpredictable compared to the road, you need to carry supplies. A 10km trail run might take much longer than you expect if the terrain is technical. I recommend carrying electrolyte-based drinks (like Fixx’s Fuel X Hydration Fuel) to stave off cramping, along with gels (I’m a fan of the Gel X Pro range) or bars. Being prepared ensures you get home safely, even if the trail challenges you more than expected.

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