Liv Comptons Run To First Place

By Ruth Puddefoot

Turning the final corner with only a few kilometres to go, Whitsunday’s local Liv Compton fixed her eyes on the finish line and on a victory. When she crossed first among women in the brutal Coast to Kosci ultramarathon in New South Wales, she didn’t just finish, she reached a personal milestone.

Ultra running is far from ordinary. With relentless training, iron will determination, and unwavering support from her team, Liv carved her own path in the world of endurance sport, and not only that, she sprinted all the way to the top.

For Liv, who has been running since she was 13 and progressed from trail runs to ultramarathons, it has never been just about crossing the finish line. It’s about pushing through when it feels like she can’t.

The sound of cheers echoes across the verdant peaks of Charlotte's Pass, New South Wales, the wind howls, and a crowd waits in anticipation. Whitsundays local Liv Compton turns the last corner of Coast to Kosci effortlessly; it’s a sight she’s seen twice before: the finish line. After 28 hours of gruelling terrain and 240km, she has made it. As the distance closes rapidly between herself and the finish line, she breaks through the ribbon; she is the first woman in the race to cross.

This win was not one of luck, but one that has followed countless hours and years of training, since she first started running at the age of 13. For Liv, the advice she gives to those looking to improve their running is simple: “Keep running every single day, multiple times a day,” advice she follows herself, with her averaging 160km on some weeks.

“Marathons and ultramarathons are two completely different sports,” Liv explained.

Ultras require far more planning, especially when it comes to nutrition. Liv, unlike many other contestants, did not receive coaching. “I live alone with my two children and work full-time, so I just make time for it. I usually run in the mornings and the afternoons,” Liv explained.

“My [nutrition] plan often goes out the window.”

“This time around, I was mainly having fluids, like smoothies, gels and liquid carbs.”

After around 105km, Liv’s plan began to falter. She consumed too much too soon, and the resulting nausea allowed her to be passed by several runners. However, after this had passed, Liv felt “amazing” and pushed through to the finish. One thing she knows is that this feeling is temporary, “I know that from experience, right? I know it's going to pass, that’s what keeps me motivated.”

Liv then began to catch the leading woman, running neck and neck with her for most of the race, Liv taking her time and happy to chase; however, at the same checkpoint after 150km, the pair spoke:

“She told me she was struggling, but like I said, I know her, so I didn't really believe that.”

With only 60 invited contenders, simply finishing this prestigious event is an achievement. Winning your category is an honour few ever experience. Liv will never forget those final minutes:

“I was running on pure adrenaline the last I don't know how many kilometres, I've done it before, so I knew I was getting close, and it was just pure happiness."

“I can't describe it, it was just one of the best moments of my life, crossing that line,” Liv recalled.

It was Liv’s first time winning Coast to Kosci, beating her previous time by an extraordinary 4 hours. She said the biggest change from her last race was how she tackled the climbs. Rather than running the whole hill, she ran only the final 50 metres, giving her enough momentum to hold a seven-minute-per-kilometre pace.

The race for Liv, however, wasn’t about winning; she just wanted to be happy with her “own race,” and what made it special was the “team effort.”

“I had an amazing crew with me that helped me get to this point. I think that winning the race made the effort for them worth it as well.”

Doubting yourself is a regular part of any race, but Liv says the main lesson she learnt from the race is that she must “start believing in [herself], and [her] own capabilities:
“I'm 42, we can do anything, age is just a number, just stop that self-doubt and just go for it.”

Liv crossing the line in first place at Coast to kosci. photo sourced.

Liv Compton hugging her boyfriend Nathan Phipps. Photo sourced.