A TRAIL running couple from the Mornington Peninsula are preparing to represent Australia at one of the world’s most prestigious endurance events this month in Spain. Tom Dade and his partner Miah Noble have earned their place among the world’s elite after being selected to compete in the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships from 25-28 September.
The event will be held in Canfranc-Pirineos in the Spanish Pyrenees known for its stunning mountain scenery and rich history. It will bring together the top trail and mountain runners from across the globe as they take on gruelling courses featuring steep climbs and variable terrain.
For Tom and Miah, it’s a career milestone – and a dream come true. The Mt Martha couple have been training hard often on the rugged trails of Arthurs Seat as well hitting the gym between 20-30 hours a week. Miah, who was introduced to trail running by Tom just over a year ago, said the training required a balance but noted “when you love something this much, you just find a way to make it work”. “For me, the training itself is actually the easy part. The real challenge is juggling everything else: work, relationships, fuelling properly, recovery, and also just earning enough money to make a living while committing so much time to training,” the 20-year-old said.
Tom, who was Australia’s under 30 ultramarathon champion two years ago, said training also meant early starts and fast paced days while having “no real life outside of work and training”. “The downside though means I don’t get paid if I don’t work, which can be hard. I manage these hours by accepting it for what it is and put my head down,” he said. “I recognise I’m privileged to be doing what I’m doing, to have the support of Miah, my parents, my family, my sponsors – Endu1 Sports Nutrition, Altra, Coros and Run Vault – and friends, and to have the freedom to chase my passions.”
Tom, 26, added it was hard to simulate the conditions of the mountains in Spain/Europe, “as we don’t really have anything like it here”. “They’re also coming out of a hot summer, and it’s winter here so that’s not ideal,” he said, adding he had tried to acclimatise to heat with sauna sessions. Tom will be competing in the long trail race of 82km while Miah will take on the short trail of 45km. Tom’s race is expected to reach elevations of more than 5000 metres which he hoped to complete within 10-12 hours.
Miah said they had been doing “lots and lots of hill repeats” under the cable cars at Arthurs Seat, while also focusing on her strength training, especially incorporating plyometric-based exercises like jumps and burpees.
Asked what it meant to her to represent Australia, Miah said, “it means the world”. “As a kid, I always looked up to the athletes who represented Australia, and now the fact that I get to put on the green and gold and represent my country, alongside some of the best in the world, is such an honour. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity.”
Tom said it was also an honour. “To have the opportunity to represent the country at my chosen sport is a kind of pinch yourself moment,” he said. “It’s my third time, and each time I find out I’ve actually been chosen is a surprise, and leaves me feeling proud, privileged and grateful. As a proud Australian, and someone who loves sport, what else could you ask for?”
First published in the Mornington News – 9 September 2025
