Buffalo Stampede 100km: Top Contenders to Watch 2026
One of the most competitive Buffalo fields in recent years is set to line up — and it’s wide open.
Buffalo doesn’t need help being hard.
It’s pretty much got it all: Steep climbs, technical terrain, long stretches where things can unravel quickly.
But this year, it’s not just the course that’ll decide the race.
It’s the field.
The 100km has stacked up with serious depth across both the men’s and women’s races.
Here’s who to watch.
Men’s Contenders
Man Kumar
A genuine threat with international form.
Kumar comes in off a win at the 9 Dragons 50/50 (2026) and a solid showing at the World Trail Championships in 2025, which tells you everything about his engine.
Strong, efficient, and used to big stages. If he finds rhythm early, he’s one of the hardest runners here to reel in.
Sam Harvey
One of the most dangerous endurance runners in the field.
Harvey has proven himself at the highest level. He won Tarawera 100 Mile in 2025 and Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko Miler in 2024, showing he can handle long, technical races like this.
He also brings an enormous endurance engine, with multiple backyard ultra world-record-level performances.
Gerald Macpherson
An all-rounder to watch. He threw a 3rd in the 2025 Buffalo 42km and is capable of putting together a complete race. If he avoids mistakes and times his moves well, he’s one of the runners who could quietly take control late.
Godfrey Slattery
While Godfrey is fairly new to running, he knows how to suffer and keep moving when others start to fade. Dangerous if the race turns into a grind.
Slattery’s 2nd place at the Kosciuszko 100km in 2025 shows he can handle this distance at a high level. Can’t be underestimated.
George Knight
The wildcard with momentum.
After previously pushing to get onto a start line, this is the race he wanted. And he’s not coming in cold. He recently finished 2nd at the Razorback Run (37km), showing strong form heading into Buffalo.
He’s shown he can handle tough conditions and race deep into the hurt but this is a different level of competition.
If he gets it right, he’s right in it.
Women’s Contenders
Fuzhao Xiang
The benchmark.
One of the strongest runners in the field, full stop. She’s coming in as winner of the World Trail Majors Short Series (2025)—which immediately sets the tone.
If she runs her race, the rest may be chasing.
Bridie Temple
Consistent and proven at the front of the field.
Temple put together a strong 2025 season, including 2nd female at UTA22 and 2nd female at the Buffalo Stampede 100km, showing she can perform across distances—and on this exact course.
That familiarity with Buffalo, combined with her consistency makes her a serious contender to go one better this time.
Sarah Ludowici
Proven and experienced having performed well in the Kosci in 2025.
Has the ability to manage technical terrain and long race days. The kind of runner who can move through the field as others fade.
Nicole Paton
One of the most complete runners in the field.
Paton comes in as the AUTRA Female Trail Runner of the Year (2025 and 2024) which is backed by serious results, including a win at Kunanyi Mountain Run (66km), 2nd at the GPT 100 Miler, and finishing as the top Australian woman in the 83km at the World Trail Championships.
She’s proven across distances, comfortable on technical terrain, and knows how to put together a full race.
If this comes down to execution rather than raw speed, she’s right in it.
Christie Lori
Coming in with proven form.
Lori took out 1st female at The Guzzler Ultra (2025) and backed it up just weeks later with another win at the Transcend Ultra 65km in WA, showing she can handle steep, technical courses across different terrain.
That kind of consistency on tough courses makes her a genuine contender here.
