The Guzzler Ultra - Year 620th—21st July 2024

Mery Jones

50km | Brisbane Trail Runners

The Guzzler – Athlete profiles

Get to know the Guzzlers

We’re so lucky to have some amazing people lining up for both The Guzzler and The Glass Half Full. In the lead up to race day, we’re featuring some of the athlete stories here. In this edition, we meet Mery Jones, a couple of weeks before her family grew to four.

Let’s Meet

Mery Jones

“I will be running with my mum, so I’m 99% sure she may need survival tips.”

Why are you running The Guzzler?

I first took up running late 2015, and more seriously in 2016, signing up to complete my first marathon that year. After my second marathon in 2017, I was searching for something more challenging. That’s where I joined up with Brisbane Trail Runners to learn the trails and enjoy some of Brisbane’s greatest trails over the summer of 2017/18. 

My 2018 goal was to run more trail events and enter my first 50km event… however, life had other ideas and I fell pregnant, due any day now. 

So with a good solid rest year, I was ready to commit to something BIG in 2019, and I couldn’t think of a better 50km event to sign up to than The Guzzler. After all, the wonderful Tim and Laura have seen me go from wearing an apple watch afraid of getting it wet, to helping deck me out with my first trail shoes. 

I can not wait to do a local 50km event through some of Brisbane’s most beautiful trails! 

How long have you been trail or ultra running?

I’ve been trail running since late 2017 and this will be my FIRST ultra! 

What’s your proudest trail running moment?

Completing the TRAQ Walk About Creek Enoggera run at 4 months pregnant and not getting lost! 

Also, introducing my non-running husband into trail running and telling him I know the way around a few trails, and telling those well known trail lies of ‘it’s just 1km to go’, (knowing full well it’s more like 3km after getting up a hill) and having him believe me!! 

How will you get through the tough times on course?

I will be running with my mum, so I’m 99% sure she may need survival tips through a few of my moans and groans. 

Other than the on course support from my trail buddy mum, I often have alerts pop up on my watch during races to remind me to keep going, it could be something as simple as “believe, achieve” or my husband and daughter’s name. Having these alerts pop up remind me to stay strong and remember my behind-the-scene supporters who will be waiting for me at the end! 

Also, the race photos, everyone loves a great race photo, that’s something to keep me motivated to stay strong for! 

What’s your goal for the event?

My number 1 goal is to finish the course with a smile, but knowing my mum and I, there will probably be an ugly cry face in there too! 

Also to take lots of photos! Everyone loves a great running selfie!

Who would be your ultimate race crew?

Definitely Lucy Bartholomew. She’s the kind of girl that would have the best watermelon to snack on at each Check Point, making sure I have my own supply that had not been touched by other sweaty trail runner hands – my biggest fear at check points!

We’d Love To Find Out More

Tell Us Your Story

From first timers attempting a new challenge through to experienced ultramarathoners, front, middle or back of the pack, everyone attempting The Guzzler and The Glass Half Full is an athlete and everyone has a story. Want to share yours with us? We’d love to hear from you as we get to know some of our Guzzlers.

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The Guzzler Ultra held in Brisbane, Queensland is a Western States Qualifier
The Guzzler Ultra, Brisbane, Queensland is a Western States Qualifying Race
Six Foot Track Marathon Qualifier
(50km & 100KM)
Six Foot Track Marathon
UTMB Index Race
The Guzzler Brisbane is a UTMB Index Qualifier Race 100K
The Guzzler Brisbane is a UTMB Index Qualifier Race 50K
The Guzzler Brisbane is a UTMB Index Qualifier Race 20K
The Guzzler Ultra Trail Race is proud to be a 1% For The Planet Member

As trail runners, we love our natural environment and believe that it is a space worth protecting, to ensure it is there for many future generations to enjoy.

One way we aim to take responsibility is by being a 1% For The Planet Business Member.

Those Guys Events acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands where we run, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

The Guzzler is hosted by Those Guys Events. ABN: 88601 37205212