Runner

David Byrne

“My current passion is to use trail running as a vehicle to educate people about the conservation of places in which we as athletes get to play.”

Dave started his running journey as a child, competing in Little Athletics and then progressing as an adult to be a national representative in track, road and cross country running. Over a ten-year career he became a national title winner and achieve multiple podiums in both athletics and cross country championships.

After struggling with injuries, Dave took a break from the sport, focussing on his professional development and growing his media agency. But as fate would have it, Dave became heavily involved with content creation and marketing for The North Face 100. It was while filming the event in the Blue Mountains that he became inspired by the achievements of the participants. Within days of being there, he was once again back into running, with a newfound passion for the sport.

Dave’s trail running journey has seen him travel the world, to some of the most spectacular places on the planet. It’s a sport he thanks for countless incredible experiences in wild mountain locations, from the French Alps to the Himalayas.

However, it has been the community he’s engaged with and amazing friends he’s made along the way that’s been his greatest reward.

On the competitive front, Dave has had wins in most of the major Australian trail races and podiumed internationally at several of the iconic mountain races, in distances from as short as 5km to multi-day events.

Dave has a growing connection to Nepal, that has developed across the years spent in the mountains with the beautiful Nepalese people. This has motivated him to develop initiatives there to help empower and educate women, as a means to give back to a place that has given him so much.

Accomplishments

• Xterra Dunsborough Trail Run 2024, 21km – 1st place
• 6 times winner at The Buffalo Stampede 2014 – 2023
• UTA11 2021 – 1st place
• Bouddi Coastal Run 2018 – 1st place
• Ultra Bright 2018, 50km – 1st place
• Hounslow Classic 2018 – 1st place
• The Coastal Classic 2017 – 1st place
• Glenbrook Marathon 2017 - 1st place
• UTA100 2017 – 4th place, only Australian to finish top 10
• UTA22 2016 – 1st place
• Tarawera 100 (2016 – 2019) – 2nd, 4th, 7th place
• Keppler Challenge NZ 2015 - 2nd place
• Yurebilla Ultra 2015 – 1st place
• Mt Buller Skyrun 2015 - 1st place
• 6ft Track 2014 – 1st place
• Australian representative in Athletics, road running, cross country, trail and Skyrunning

Stay up-to-date with David on Instagram.