..the first Australian female to win the prestigious Badwater 135mile (217km) Ultra Marathon through Death Valley… finishing 4th outright. Nikki’s time of 27 Hr 23 Mins is the over 40 yrs age record and the third fastest female time ever.
This month’s Runner Profile is the ever-amazing Nikki Wynd.
When not running Nikki works full time as the Practice Manager of a busy Allied Health Clinic in Scoresby and Rowville in Victoria. Her other big achievement is her 18 year old son Dan who she loves supporting while he pursues an AFL career. In her down time she loves walking her mini sausage dog, Barney, spending time with her husband who is also an ultra marathon runner, plus spending time with her family and friends.
Nikki is an endurance athlete and has raced at highest level both locally and internationally over the last 10 years with outstanding race wins and remarkably consistent results in track, trail and road events.
Nikki has represented Australia 8 times, in both the 24 hour and 100kms teams and only last month took the gold medal with the Women’s Australia team competing at the 24 hour Asian/Oceania Championship.
She is the first Australian female to win the prestigious Badwater 135mile (217km) Ultra Marathon through Death Valley (regarded as one of the top 10 toughest ultra-marathon races in the world taking runners from the lowest point in continent America to the Mt Whitney Portal at 8371ft) finishing 4th outright. Nikki’s time of 27 Hr 23 Mins is the over 40 yrs age record and the third fastest female time ever. Yes, you read all of that correctly! 
What a resume and what an incredible runner! I am excited to share her thoughts with you.
- Have you ever done a Backyard Ultra?
Clint Eastwood, Queensland will be my first attempt after having my entry rolled over for the past two years due to covid.
- What draws you to the backyard ultra format?
I have been inspired by the many amazing results from Australia and around the world, especially by the women, so really keen to see how I can go.
- If you could do any race in the world, what would it be?
I would love to run Western States. I was lucky enough to pace my husband over the last 60kms a few years ago. The people and the atmosphere were amazing.
- What is your greatest running moment to date?
In 2015 winning the Badwater Ultra Marathon and placing 4th overall.
- What is your worst running experience to date?
It was very early back when I first started running. I did the North Face 100km now known as UTA. I was so underprepared. I didn’t train on enough hills and just had no idea that those climbs were relentless. I did manage to finish in a time of around 14+ hours. I went away, changed my training and went back the next year to run sub 12 hours.
- If you could share a course with any runner/athlete, who would it be?
I would love to share a course with Camille Heron. I think she is an amazing athlete and seems like such a down to earth person. Would be great to pick her brain.
- What advice would you give to a new runner thinking about doing a backyard ultra?
My advice is to set no limit. Go in with an open mind and just see what happens. It could be your day!!!!
- What inspires you to stay motivated?
I always make sure I have a number of races planned. I also try to mix them up between trail, road and track to keep my training constantly varied. If I am doing a trail race, then the main focus on my training would be the trails. If it’s a road race, then most of my training is on the road.
- What is your next race?
My next race after the Clint Eastwood LOS is the Surf Coast Century 100km down on the beautiful Surf Coast in Victoria.
- Do you have the support of your family and friends of your running?
All of my friends and family have been amazing and support me and my running. My parents, my husband, my son and even my girlfriends have come and crewed for me at various races.
- What is your favourite fuel during a race?
I tend to rely mainly on gels and then a small amount of real foods like bananas, cliff bars, pringles etc.
- How important is mental strength compared to physical strength in a race?
I have found the mental strength is more important than the physical strength. Your mind will tell you things hurt, that you want to stop, that you can’t go on, that your legs are done. You need to find ways to talk to yourself and have positive mantras that keep you going. In a trail race it might be “let’s just get to the next aid station and reassess”. In a track ultra my husband will tell me if I get to X amount of kms I get a 5 minute rest and a coffee. I remind myself that “I’m ok, everything’s ok, I’ll be OK” and then just keep reminding myself of that.
- How do you balance your running and training with competing priorities?
I always run first thing in the morning so that it’s out the way. Now that my son is 18 and has his licence it has made my life so much easier as I don’t have to do drop offs and pick ups and take him to sport etc. On the weekends I do the same, try to get up early and get my long run out of the way so that I have time to catch up with friends and family.
- Do you have a goal for Clint Eastwood?
My plan is to set no limitations and just go with how I am feeling during the event. I will be taking it pretty easy with a run/walk strategy. I really just want to keep smiling and enjoy my first experience at this style race.
Thank you so much for sharing with us Nikki! It has been so great to get to know you and I am very much looking forward to sharing the course with you at Clint Eastwood next! I will be the one “fan girling” over you 🙂
