DownUnder135 - Australia's most BRUTAL foot race.

The Down Under135 is formulated by 5 mates who created the DU135 being one of the gnarliest, super demanding and extreme foot races offered anywhere in Australia.
It is by far the most extreme, next level Ultra event In Australia.
Covering 135 miles (220 km), 13,000mtrs+ vert within 55 hours - single stage non-stop from start to finish, competitors will adventure across the single trails of the Lerderderg State Forest 75Km West of Melbourne Australia.
DU135 is the race where the cliché of 'finding my limits' can genuinely be enacted. The race is not just about finishing. Most starters understand the enormity of the challenge in front of them and appreciate the race for what it gives them.....
A chance to find their limits.
This race is not for the athlete who has an ego about their DNF rate.
Making it to half way, you will still achieve 110km and 6000m+ of vert. These numbers alone (on paper) equate to the hardest 100km race in the nation.
The 2024 event has been created by John Baseley to document the extraordinary display of human character in Ultrarunning in his first long form documentary.

[@BeauMiles]

GReat stuff John and co. Runners, you bloody legends!

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Cheers mate. Yep - the runners are definitely next level. Super awesome bunch of people as well to be around, and really appreciated them letting me document the event.

[@benw5691]

Are you going to join them one year @beaumiles

[@BeauMiles]

@@benw5691 Yeah, I reckon

[@kristo5747]

Why isn't this getting more likes? Loved this! Thank you for your great work. Ran a few 50 miles race myself in California. DNFed two 100 milers. Still hope to finish one some day.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

So chuffed with your kind words. Really appreciated. Well done on doing a few Ultras already. With a DNF, there are so many factors that are sometimes out of your control. Injury, illness, course terrain, time cutoff...the list goes on. You absolutely will complete the distance soon. Thanks again for your support. I'll be creating more longer form documentary content on Ultra running in the coming months. Have a great day. John.

[@timkacprzak2998]

You captured the essence of the race beautifully, it was amazing to follow the journeys of not only the amazing people who finished but also those that still have unfinished business, thanks for putting it together.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks Tim. The race is truly a unique one and I'm so glad you made mention that the essence comes through. That was my primary goal. To present the athletes who undertake this event in the truest way possible plus the people that make it happen.

[@grantward3872]

Awesome take on an incredible race.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks Grant. Your effort was next level and it was amazing to see. Glad to have met you and congratulations on the win.

[@danielstewart5208]

absolutely amazing! So proud to see all these unbelieve athletes running so far!

[@seancotter6222]

Great video and storytelling! All the runners are inspiring.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks so very much. I feel that a connection with the runners whilst having an underlying story/goal needed to be an element in creating my first longer form documentary. I'll be creating more content soon with a similar structure.

[@Thewaz19]

Love it mate well done on capturing the heart of DU

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks for the support. That's what I really wanted to show is the support of everyone involved, the unique brutality of the course and the essence of the event.

[@UltraReegz]

Brilliant film John. Loved every minute. Congratulations to all the competitors and everyone involved. Takes a pretty special kinda person to toe the line at an event that intimidating!

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks so much for your kind words. Really appreciated.

[@duncangillis8716]

Definitely a brutal race, and one I'd love to have a crack at one day. a great video capturing all the legends out on course! awesome work John

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks so much Duncan. I'm pretty sure entries are open for next year. ! Definitely worth it.

[@svenfokkema3440]

What a gem of an ultra trail (community) film - kudos! Greetz from Europe

[@mrjohnbaseley]

If you ever decide to come over to Australia and this join when this event is on - you will be looked after. Thanks for your kind word. Regards, John.

[@svenfokkema3440]

@@mrjohnbaseley Thanks for your kind reply John. We definitely plan to come to 🇦🇺 in 2-3 years. If not as a runner, 200+ km might be too optimistic 😉, I would love to join DU135 as volunteer, crew or even pacer.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

@@svenfokkema3440 sounds fantastic. ! You will be warmly welcomed into the community. Enjoy the rest of your day.

[@trentwilliamson4021]

Really enjoyed watching to learn more about this race. Well done!

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Hopefully it gave you some good insight. Thanks for watching.

[@studiohost]

Smiling when I read your description concerning “egos “ ! Help keep trail running fr$$

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Perception of ones ability without insight on the course definitely will play a big part, hence egos are squashed. In saying this, nobody big noted themselves over the entire weekend. All very kind and down to earth crowd.

[@justin-fractionalhub5532]

Yeah nice one, looks tough! Think I want to try this one day!

[@daveswitch22]

Aww man.. This is the content! Well done. "glad I stared running up the hill!" hahaha what a group of legends.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks so much for sharing. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@prydeofclyde1891]

Excellent, thank you for that

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@RypienGT]

What a great watch. Thank you.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for your kind words.

[@bk3n]

Fantastic John! Kept it real and raw, which as an observer seems true to DU.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Cheers Brett. With the different forms of Doco films, it was the observational aspect I was trying to stay with.

[@Runningvideosig]

That was excellent. Thanks

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thankyou so very much. Really appreciated.

[@lstraw6573]

Brilliant film. Loved it.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@dwaynesaunders]

Great watch. Cant wait for the next instalment.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks! I'll be creating other longer form documentary content with Ultra running soon.

[@iberiksoderblom]

Awesome film. Some really amazing runners and fantastic helpers.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Truly great people at the event.

[@benw5691]

Wow looks great. Respect for all who participate

[@mickbeckers]

Epic!

[@nessiemupfeki]

The longest I have run is half marathon. I am an awe of these people who can do such long distances. How they do it never ceases to amaze me

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Every one of these people gradually increased their distance to achieve this. The same goes for yourself - you have ran a half marathon which is an achievement in itself. If your heart and mind has an ambition to go further, the body can make it happen with time and training. All the best. John

[@samweir6350]

bloody wild, sick video

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Cheers mate. Glad you enjoyed it. Doing more longer form documentary content in the plans now.

[@adamsabo332]

Very nice work with this video, keep it up :)

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks Adam. Thankyou so much for your kind words. This was my first long form documentary effort. I'll definitely be keeping more coming with a focus on story and people. Regards - John

[@makingmemark]

great video john! one day i'll have a crack at it... hopefully

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Sounds great! Definitely memorable. Great event.

[@Steviestixx]

Awesome..

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@adrianbellin4092]

Great work

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Thankyou very much. Glad to have been there to capture the event. 1st attempt at a long form documentary - first of many hopefully.

[@LaurenceBilling]

Awesome video! I’m sure it gives us no idea of how tough it really is… but at least it’s a taste! 🤤 Such beautiful rugged country! ❤

[@Terminatortx33]

Just shows you how important the aid stations and support crew are for these events.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Absolutely. So much time can be lost in aid stations without support.

[@youreworthyourweightinavoc7189]

I'm at minute 48 now and my knees have started hurt just from watching 😂

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Glad you're enjoying the documentary. Thanks so very much for watching. I'll be creating more longer form documentary content in the future. Regards, John

[@Terminatortx33]

I love that older guy wearing the button up shirts. Dressing his age while doing one of the toughest races.

[@mrjohnbaseley]

That's Adrian. A true wise gentleman and very insightful person.

[@willcarol2287]

❤

[@herrvich]

Does the guy at 32:18 say he is gonna tap out to go to the pub?😂

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Absolutely he did..in a joking kind of way though. To have a real chance of making a real possibility of finishing the entire course within 55 hours, you really need to reach the turnaround point at 24 hours or less. He knew that and it was around 26 hours he chose not to continue.

[@kevinleepredom8386]

It seems the running s live for the helper s and vis Versa community wow .

[@ciarandeeney8967]

How do you prepare for something like this???? Amazing!!

[@mrjohnbaseley]

Incremental steps in physical and mental hardship endurance. Grant Ward said you need consistent daily miles, back to back long runs and sessions of at least 1000mtr of vert for a year at least.

[@benw5691]

That Tia seems like a beautiful person.

[@kevinleepredom8386]

Thanks what are they eating burritos what not, , how much does one need to consume. 100 mile