Three years ago, Clint did not run. He's just completed an epic 100km trail event.

The Advertiser

13 hours ago

Clint Reynolds-Smith does not have a sporting background, and only took up running three years ago.
Now, the Kotara South 33-year-old is looking forward to enjoying what will almost be a sprint-like 25-kilometre trail-running event in Newcastle on Sunday after completing the gruelling 100km Ultra Trail Australia (UTA) in the Blue Mountains three weeks ago.
"It's going to sound silly, but I'm honestly looking forward to this 25 kilometres being a quarter of the 100," Reynolds-Smith said ahead of the Coastal Ascent this Sunday.
The remedial massage therapist had never contemplated entering a small running event, let alone an ultra one until getting caught up in the post-race buzz of some of his clients, including leading local runner Vlad Shatrov.
"It was around 2022, when UTA was moved to October, that I started seeing an influx of runners who were preparing for it, and I kind of got convinced to do it through making a connection with Vlad," Reynolds-Smith said.
"I didn't actually do small runs. I bought a ticket for the 50km race in May 2023 and figured I've got the ticket for the race so now I have to train, and that was the motivator."
The decision to take up running came post-COVID lockdowns and around a milestone birthday.
"The way the world was with COVID, it was very uncertain as to what we could do, and turning 30 was definitely a part of it," Reynolds-Smith said.
"Just almost turning my life upside-down, I guess. A little of bit of a mid-life crisis.
"It was more of a mental health thing as well. Running is not really conducive to going out on the beers with the boys.
"And, I used to believe it was professional runners who did these races, not the average guy who's never really ran before, so it was kind of a, 'Can I do it?, as well."
It turned out he could.
After completing his first 50km in 11 hours, Reynolds-Smith went back last year and did it again in just under eight hours.
Next came the 100km.
"I was definitely looking for that next level of overcoming something a little bit bigger ... it was going back to, 'Can I do it?'," he said.
After a two-hour hold-up 15km into the 100km race due to an incident on course, Reynolds-Smith crossed the finish line in 22 hours.
"It was surreal, and it felt unbelievable," he said.
"I absolutely got emotional. To do 100 kilometres when three years removed I had never ran, really, I can't really explain it.
"It's like a euphoric feeling that you get, and to be honest, I'm still on a high from it ... I do advocate for people to run these events now for mental health, to prove to yourself that you can overcome hard things."
Reynolds-Smith is now planning to take on the 100km at UTA Kosciuszko in November then back in the Blue Mountains next May.
"I'm not competitive with anyone but myself, and whenever anyone asks me, 'If you're not competitive, what are you doing?', I say, 'I'm all about completing not competing'," he said.
"I want to prove that I can complete something."
This weekend, he plans to soak up the scenic course of the Coastal Ascent, which starts and finishes at Dixon Park and takes in trails throughout Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Distances include 5km, 10km, 25km and 50km with action from 6am on Sunday.
The event, supported by City of Newcastle, is part of the Australian Golden Trail Series and has attracted some of the nation's leading trail runners.
Clint Reynolds-Smith does not have a sporting background, and only took up running three years ago.
Now, the Kotara South 33-year-old is looking forward to enjoying what will almost be a sprint-like 25-kilometre trail-running event in Newcastle on Sunday after completing the gruelling 100km Ultra Trail Australia (UTA) in the Blue Mountains three weeks ago.
"It's going to sound silly, but I'm honestly looking forward to this 25 kilometres being a quarter of the 100," Reynolds-Smith said ahead of the Coastal Ascent this Sunday.
The remedial massage therapist had never contemplated entering a small running event, let alone an ultra one until getting caught up in the post-race buzz of some of his clients, including leading local runner Vlad Shatrov.
"It was around 2022, when UTA was moved to October, that I started seeing an influx of runners who were preparing for it, and I kind of got convinced to do it through making a connection with Vlad," Reynolds-Smith said.
"I didn't actually do small runs. I bought a ticket for the 50km race in May 2023 and figured I've got the ticket for the race so now I have to train, and that was the motivator."
The decision to take up running came post-COVID lockdowns and around a milestone birthday.
"The way the world was with COVID, it was very uncertain as to what we could do, and turning 30 was definitely a part of it," Reynolds-Smith said.
"Just almost turning my life upside-down, I guess. A little of bit of a mid-life crisis.
"It was more of a mental health thing as well. Running is not really conducive to going out on the beers with the boys.
"And, I used to believe it was professional runners who did these races, not the average guy who's never really ran before, so it was kind of a, 'Can I do it?, as well."
It turned out he could.
After completing his first 50km in 11 hours, Reynolds-Smith went back last year and did it again in just under eight hours.
Next came the 100km.
"I was definitely looking for that next level of overcoming something a little bit bigger ... it was going back to, 'Can I do it?'," he said.
After a two-hour hold-up 15km into the 100km race due to an incident on course, Reynolds-Smith crossed the finish line in 22 hours.
"It was surreal, and it felt unbelievable," he said.
"I absolutely got emotional. To do 100 kilometres when three years removed I had never ran, really, I can't really explain it.
"It's like a euphoric feeling that you get, and to be honest, I'm still on a high from it ... I do advocate for people to run these events now for mental health, to prove to yourself that you can overcome hard things."
Reynolds-Smith is now planning to take on the 100km at UTA Kosciuszko in November then back in the Blue Mountains next May.
"I'm not competitive with anyone but myself, and whenever anyone asks me, 'If you're not competitive, what are you doing?', I say, 'I'm all about completing not competing'," he said.
"I want to prove that I can complete something."
This weekend, he plans to soak up the scenic course of the Coastal Ascent, which starts and finishes at Dixon Park and takes in trails throughout Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Distances include 5km, 10km, 25km and 50km with action from 6am on Sunday.
The event, supported by City of Newcastle, is part of the Australian Golden Trail Series and has attracted some of the nation's leading trail runners.
Clint Reynolds-Smith does not have a sporting background, and only took up running three years ago.
Now, the Kotara South 33-year-old is looking forward to enjoying what will almost be a sprint-like 25-kilometre trail-running event in Newcastle on Sunday after completing the gruelling 100km Ultra Trail Australia (UTA) in the Blue Mountains three weeks ago.
"It's going to sound silly, but I'm honestly looking forward to this 25 kilometres being a quarter of the 100," Reynolds-Smith said ahead of the Coastal Ascent this Sunday.
The remedial massage therapist had never contemplated entering a small running event, let alone an ultra one until getting caught up in the post-race buzz of some of his clients, including leading local runner Vlad Shatrov.
"It was around 2022, when UTA was moved to October, that I started seeing an influx of runners who were preparing for it, and I kind of got convinced to do it through making a connection with Vlad," Reynolds-Smith said.
"I didn't actually do small runs. I bought a ticket for the 50km race in May 2023 and figured I've got the ticket for the race so now I have to train, and that was the motivator."
The decision to take up running came post-COVID lockdowns and around a milestone birthday.
"The way the world was with COVID, it was very uncertain as to what we could do, and turning 30 was definitely a part of it," Reynolds-Smith said.
"Just almost turning my life upside-down, I guess. A little of bit of a mid-life crisis.
"It was more of a mental health thing as well. Running is not really conducive to going out on the beers with the boys.
"And, I used to believe it was professional runners who did these races, not the average guy who's never really ran before, so it was kind of a, 'Can I do it?, as well."
It turned out he could.
After completing his first 50km in 11 hours, Reynolds-Smith went back last year and did it again in just under eight hours.
Next came the 100km.
"I was definitely looking for that next level of overcoming something a little bit bigger ... it was going back to, 'Can I do it?'," he said.
After a two-hour hold-up 15km into the 100km race due to an incident on course, Reynolds-Smith crossed the finish line in 22 hours.
"It was surreal, and it felt unbelievable," he said.
"I absolutely got emotional. To do 100 kilometres when three years removed I had never ran, really, I can't really explain it.
"It's like a euphoric feeling that you get, and to be honest, I'm still on a high from it ... I do advocate for people to run these events now for mental health, to prove to yourself that you can overcome hard things."
Reynolds-Smith is now planning to take on the 100km at UTA Kosciuszko in November then back in the Blue Mountains next May.
"I'm not competitive with anyone but myself, and whenever anyone asks me, 'If you're not competitive, what are you doing?', I say, 'I'm all about completing not competing'," he said.
"I want to prove that I can complete something."
This weekend, he plans to soak up the scenic course of the Coastal Ascent, which starts and finishes at Dixon Park and takes in trails throughout Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Distances include 5km, 10km, 25km and 50km with action from 6am on Sunday.
The event, supported by City of Newcastle, is part of the Australian Golden Trail Series and has attracted some of the nation's leading trail runners.
Clint Reynolds-Smith does not have a sporting background, and only took up running three years ago.
Now, the Kotara South 33-year-old is looking forward to enjoying what will almost be a sprint-like 25-kilometre trail-running event in Newcastle on Sunday after completing the gruelling 100km Ultra Trail Australia (UTA) in the Blue Mountains three weeks ago.
"It's going to sound silly, but I'm honestly looking forward to this 25 kilometres being a quarter of the 100," Reynolds-Smith said ahead of the Coastal Ascent this Sunday.
The remedial massage therapist had never contemplated entering a small running event, let alone an ultra one until getting caught up in the post-race buzz of some of his clients, including leading local runner Vlad Shatrov.
"It was around 2022, when UTA was moved to October, that I started seeing an influx of runners who were preparing for it, and I kind of got convinced to do it through making a connection with Vlad," Reynolds-Smith said.
"I didn't actually do small runs. I bought a ticket for the 50km race in May 2023 and figured I've got the ticket for the race so now I have to train, and that was the motivator."
The decision to take up running came post-COVID lockdowns and around a milestone birthday.
"The way the world was with COVID, it was very uncertain as to what we could do, and turning 30 was definitely a part of it," Reynolds-Smith said.
"Just almost turning my life upside-down, I guess. A little of bit of a mid-life crisis.
"It was more of a mental health thing as well. Running is not really conducive to going out on the beers with the boys.
"And, I used to believe it was professional runners who did these races, not the average guy who's never really ran before, so it was kind of a, 'Can I do it?, as well."
It turned out he could.
After completing his first 50km in 11 hours, Reynolds-Smith went back last year and did it again in just under eight hours.
Next came the 100km.
"I was definitely looking for that next level of overcoming something a little bit bigger ... it was going back to, 'Can I do it?'," he said.
After a two-hour hold-up 15km into the 100km race due to an incident on course, Reynolds-Smith crossed the finish line in 22 hours.
"It was surreal, and it felt unbelievable," he said.
"I absolutely got emotional. To do 100 kilometres when three years removed I had never ran, really, I can't really explain it.
"It's like a euphoric feeling that you get, and to be honest, I'm still on a high from it ... I do advocate for people to run these events now for mental health, to prove to yourself that you can overcome hard things."
Reynolds-Smith is now planning to take on the 100km at UTA Kosciuszko in November then back in the Blue Mountains next May.
"I'm not competitive with anyone but myself, and whenever anyone asks me, 'If you're not competitive, what are you doing?', I say, 'I'm all about completing not competing'," he said.
"I want to prove that I can complete something."
This weekend, he plans to soak up the scenic course of the Coastal Ascent, which starts and finishes at Dixon Park and takes in trails throughout Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Distances include 5km, 10km, 25km and 50km with action from 6am on Sunday.
The event, supported by City of Newcastle, is part of the Australian Golden Trail Series and has attracted some of the nation's leading trail runners.