The ultramarathon has been held annually since 2004, with runners given a time limit of 46 hours to complete the course from Eden to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko, before returning the finish line at Charlotte Pass.

The terrain varied from highways to unsealed dirt roads and a had a constant increase in altitude as they passed through Towamba Valley, over Big Jack Mountain, through Cathcart, Dalgety and Jindabyne.

Taking the first leg of the 240km race required an easy pace said Katy Anderson, this year’s female winner.

“It is important for competitors to conserve their energy in such a long race,” she said. 

“A lot of people say that the race doesn’t start until you reach Jindabyne, which is at about 180km.

“I took it easy, you don’t even think about pushing yourself until it’s the last 60km which is what you train for.”

Previous years' race conditions have varied from sub-zero temperatures to 40 degree heat, rain, thunderstorms, hail, snow and 100kmh winds. This year the C2K had the best conditions in the history of its running.

With a sunny average of 18 degrees on Friday, the evening transitioned to cold overnight temperature, ideal for running. After 8.30pm the competitors were allowed a pacer.

“A pacer is someone that is allowed to walk or run with you for the rest of the day. It’s helpful when you are tired throughout the night and usually a bit out of it,” Ms Anderson said.

“In this kind of race you don’t really use a pacer to help you keep your pace, it’s more for mental support and comfort.”

Competitors chose to limit their stops – the first at an isolated checkpoint where runners quickly changed their worn out shoes 106km into the race. 

“My only other stop was then at Dalgety, which was 148km in, at the town hall that set up a station for the crews to have a hot meal,” Ms Anderson said.

“Runners will only generally stop for five minutes to go to the toilet and warm up because it is the middle of the night.”

Dalgety is a popular spot for competitors to quit, as the mental harshness sinks in. This year two of the 42 competitors had pulled out of the race.

Ms Anderson herself had never made it further than Dalgety and was thrilled she kept her mind on track to make the finish line.

“Last time I underestimated just how far the race was, I let my head beat me.  It is very common to get yourself into a horrible cycle that is hard to pop out the other end.”

Mick Thwaites won the race with a time of 24 hours 58 minutes. He said he will never forget his experience of Mt Kosciuszko’s sunrise.